May 18, 2016

As students leave off-campus housing, VCU urges clean and green move-out

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By Corey Byers

Make a plan. Think about big items. Dispose of trash properly.

Those are just a few of the move-out tips Virginia Commonwealth University officials are urging off-campus students to consider as their leases in private homes and apartments end this summer.

VCU is partnering with Richmond’s Department of Public Works, area neighborhoods and the Clean City Commission to make sure students have ample opportunities to dispose of unwanted items and trash in an environmentally friendly way.  

As part of VCU’s Project Clean and Green Move, dumpsters will be strategically placed in the Fan neighborhood for use by students. From now through May 27, and again from July 25 to Sept. 2, dumpsters will be placed at the following locations:

  • Southwest corner of Ryland and Grace streets on Ryland.
  • Northwest corner of Morris and Grove streets on Morris.
  • Northwest corner of Morris and Cary streets on Morris.
  • At Floyd Avenue and Plum Street beside 1501 Floyd Ave.

A map of dumpsters and donation locations is available online: http://bit.ly/CleanGreen16

Items such as couches, beds, tables and chairs should not be left in streets or alleyways. For bulk items that cannot be reused, students should call 311 to schedule a bulk pickup with the city. For items that are reusable, students are encouraged to coordinate pickups with local agencies in Richmond. Students are also encouraged to donate smaller, reusable items, such as clothes, housewares and books, to area thrift stores or to Goodwill, which has bins in all the residence halls and at VCU’s community engagement office at 1103 West Marshall St.

Students can schedule pickups for furniture prior to moving by calling the following agencies in Richmond:

Failing to have a clean move-out may have financial consequences for students. Richmond’s Code of Ordinances addresses “unlawful accumulation,” which prohibits people from piling up discarded items in the street or alley that are not in containers provided by the city. Landlords could get fined for the mess, and the costs may be passed on to students. Landlords may withhold a portion, or all of, a security deposit for individuals who fail to move out properly.

VCU students who have questions about Project Clean and Green Move can contact VCU’s Neighborhood Outreach Director Tito Luna at taluna@vcu.edu or VCU Police Department External Relations Officer Greg Felton at gfelton@vcu.edu.

 

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