Trash to Treasure, an event that started in 2002, will be having its 15th annual sale Saturday, June 4, at Beaver Stadium.
The idea came from Penn State as a way to keep unwanted items in the residence halls out of landfills and, instead, become a one-day yard sale for the Centre County community.
“It first started as a housing operations initiative in order to divert useful things from the landfills,” said David Manos, assistant director of Penn State Housing. “But then it also became a sustainability initiative, and it’s also a way to give back to the community.”
As the largest recycling event in the State College area, Trash to Treasure provides a way for community members to purchase various items at a discounted price.
All proceeds go to Centre County United Way, a volunteer-driven organization, and its partner organizations.
The event will start at 9 a.m. and will continue until 1 p.m., but for folks who would like to arrive earlier, there will be a pre-sale from 7:30 to 9 a.m. with a $5 entrance fee, said Beth Shaha, Centre County United Way special events coordinator.
The usual items donated are primarily clothing and some sporting equipment such as bikes, but one can also find technological equipment or other toys, Manos said. “You can basically find anything you imagine.”
At the sale, people will be given shopping bags to fill items they wish to purchase and each bag filled is $20, Shaha said.
“(Trash to Treasure) is so important because it keeps items from going into the landfill, helps give folks things at a cheap price and the proceeds benefit Centre County United Way,” Shaha said.
With help from Penn State’s Office of Physical Plant and both student and Centre County United Way volunteers, the whole sale averages about 68 tons of donated items, helps Penn State save around $14,000 in labor and equipment costs, and brings in more than 500 volunteers and a couple thousand shoppers on the day of the event, according to the Trash to Treasure website.
“Trash to Treasure works on so many levels,” Manos said. “It starts first with the students having the opportunity to give back to the community, then Centre County United Way receives all the proceeds, the people in the community get items at a good price and there is a sustainability component as well so everyone benefits and everyone wins.”
The first year, Trash to Treasure had 72 tons worth of items donated at the event and $15,000 was raised. Last year, 43.7 tons were donated and $52,192 was raised, according to the website.
As of now, about 30 tons have been donated, but Shaha expects there will be more items to be donated for the event.
“There are always different and interesting things each year, making it kind of a treasure hunt, which is a very special thing,” Shaha said.
Volunteers are still welcome and those looking to volunteer can contact Shaha at (814) 238-8283.
IF YOU GO:
What: Trash to Treasure
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 4
Where: Beaver Stadium
More info: www.trashtotreasure.psu.edu
