Y-TOSS

Y-TOSS will operate May 9-14 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. each day.

Why toss it when you could Y-TOSS it!

Coordinated by the YMCA at Virginia Tech, Y-TOSS is one of the largest sustainability events on Virginia Tech’s campus. Each year, the program collects gently used items, such as furniture and clothing, from the residence halls during student move out. Those items are then made available to students during a fall move-in sale at YMCA Lancaster House at Virginia Tech. The items are available at greatly reduced prices, and all of the profits support the YMCA Student Programs. By promoting reuse and diverting unnecessary waste, Y-TOSS is helping achieve Virginia Tech's goal to become a zero-waste campus.

Since the first collection, with the help of partners, sponsors and volunteers, Y-TOSS has diverted over 100 tons of gently used household items from the waste stream. At the same time the program has engaged over 1,300 community volunteers and generated over $60,000 to support student-led programs.

How does it work? Just bring your gently used items to any Y-TOSS drop-off location (listed below) during collection operating hours. The YMCA will handle the rest!

Where can I drop items off?

You can browse the interactive map below to see where the YMCA has drop-off stations during move out:

More on sustainability

Single Stream Recycling: Virginia Tech uses a “Single Stream Recycling System.” All principal recycling materials such as cardboard, empty pizza boxes, paper (all types), metal cans, and plastic bottles (#1 and #2 only) be placed together inside one of the large outdoor covered recycling bins. Recycling bins in the residence areas are typically maroon in color and some are green. Recycling bins have sliding doors on each side. Single Stream Recycling Signage decals are placed on each bin with instructions on what can be recycled and placed in the recycling bin (in blue), and what to keep out of the bin (in red).

Electronic Waste (E-Waste): The University works with partners to reuse, recycle, and properly dispose of all electronic waste (E-Waste).

• For large electronic items that are operational, such as microwaves, computers, TVs, printers, etc., please bring them to the designated Y-TOSS collection points. Y-TOSS signage will direct you to the collection point.
• For small electronic items such as old cell phones and used batteries, please contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety and Rob Lowe at 540-231-2510 or rlowe@vt.edu.

Plastic Bags: The University does not have a central collection facility for plastic bags. Plastic bags can be taken to the YMCA on North Main Street or to the Kroger Grocery Store for collection.

Food Waste: The University does not have a composting program established in the residence areas. Thus, treat food waste as trash and place in the appropriate trash container (see next section).

Styrofoam: With the elimination of Styrofoam in the Dining Facilities there should be very little Styrofoam products on campus. When found, treat Styrofoam products as trash and place in the appropriate trash container (see next section).

For general recycling questions: Please contact the Facilities Department and Teresa Sweeney at msrecycle247@vt.edu or sustainability@vt.edu.