“This helps you avoid being left with a bunch of items that you spent money on but never used and have to donate or take home at the end of the year.”
As UVA’s sustainability manager for outreach and engagement, Garner oversees about 20 student interns who work to create and advance environmentally conscious initiatives across campus.
One such initiative is the “Green Your Dorm” event, which educates first-graders on incorporating sustainable habits into their daily lives, such as washing clothes in cold water, to help them adapt to independent living.
One sustainability habit that is often overlooked is buying dorm essentials and decor secondhand.
“It’s always a bit shocking to see how much like-new furniture ends up in the trash at the end of the school year because students can’t take it home or don’t have access to a donation site,” Garner says. “Buying secondhand is great because it gives that piece of furniture a second life.”
Reasons to buy second-hand goods
Garner says shopping secondhand is a “win-win solution.”
“From a sustainability perspective, you’re giving items a second life and keeping them out of landfills,” she explains. “Monetarily, second-hand goods are almost always significantly cheaper than buying new.”
The ultimate “win,” Garner said, is having the opportunity to help small businesses, especially in the Charlottesville area.
A little time and care when buying dorm decor and essentials can make a big difference, so here are some options for sourcing second-hand items on a budget.
Student-run group chat
Social media is a great way to connect with fellow students who are selling products at affordable prices.
The popular GroupMe chat, Things for the Low, has about 4,000 members, most of whom are University of Virginia students buying and selling items. Whether you’re looking for furniture, clothing, room decor, textbooks, or anything else, you’ll likely find what you need in this group. If you’re looking for something specific, send a message to inquire.
When you find something you want, message the seller and arrange a time and place to pick it up. To be safe, verify the seller’s identity with UVA People Search and, if possible, meet with a friend somewhere on the premises.
Sourcing dorm essentials from other students can cut down on waste and save you money. To prevent hackers from joining these groups, ask your resident advisor for links to these chats when you arrive on campus.
Second-hand stores in Charlottesville
If you can’t find what you need through crowdsourcing, Charlottesville is home to several second-hand stores and consignment boutiques within walking distance or a Charlottesville Area Transit bus ride away.
Twice Is Nice is a non-profit resale boutique that sells used furniture, clothing, jewelry, and household items at a fraction of the retail price. Employed mostly by volunteers, the majority of the proceeds help improve the quality of life for seniors in the Charlottesville area.
Twice Is Nice is located across from the Dairy Market on Preston Ave. If you want to see more of their inventory, be sure to check out Twice Is Nice II, also located across the street.
Downtown Mall is a short walk or CAT trolley ride away from vintage stores such as Arsenic and Old Lace, Neon Soul and Row. These stores sell old, reused clothing, accessories and furniture, but at a slightly higher price point.
“My personal favorite is Habitat for Humanity,” Garner said. The Habitat store on Harris Street sells furniture and home decor at discount prices.
UVA’s ReUSE Store
The ReUSE store, located at 580 McCormick Rd., is a collection of surplus items salvaged from the university – unclaimed or abandoned items of any age or condition – some of which could potentially be useful in students’ living spaces.
“I saw a lot of different things being sold, like paintings and plants,” said Aliza Diop, a fourth-year student and one of the sustainability office interns. Anyone can purchase items at the reuse store at a discount.
While checking out a ReUSE store won’t guarantee you’ll find the items you need, starting there before shopping at a big box store can be helpful and a commitment to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Students can learn about creating a more sustainable dorm environment by attending the “Green Your Dorm” event on August 30th from 1-3pm in the student gardens at the corner of Alderman and McCormick Roads.
