Connecting Campus and Community Through a Circular Economy

Red Dragon ReUse is the end-of-semester donation collection program at SUNY Cortland. This program is unique to other institutions as it is a collaborative effort between SUNY Cortland’s Sustainability Office and Cortland ReUse, a not-for-profit secondhand store in the Cortland, NY community. Through this collaboration, tons of usable goods are diverted from the landfill every year and then are processed and sold at Cortland ReUse’s store. Store proceeds go to benefit a variety of their community programs including providing store vouchers to the survivors of domestic violence. Following the donation collection there are two sales – one in the community and one on campus during the move–in weekend. The duality of the donation collection and sale helps to build circular economies in both entities and connect the school with the community. This presentation will cover the evolution of the Red Dragon ReUse program, success, challenges, and open a discussion about end-of-semester donation programs. Following the presentation, attendees will go into breakout groups according to their familiarity / development of a semester donation program allowing them to share knowledge, information and tips.