#SHOOK: When I saw what was being thrown away by STUDENTS as I moved Kyla out of college for the Summer, I was SHOCKED. And then, I got angry.... here's why.
Last week was busy. I took a couple of personal days to go and move my daughter, Kyla, back home from Emerson College in Boston, where she's just wrapped up her Freshman year. I know from my own five minutes in college that move in and move out day can be a thing... and, truth, I never really did the "traditional" move in or out from College when I was there, so I didn't really know exactly what I had in store for me.
Well... let me tell you, on so many levels, moving out was a complete disaster. It was a show of the S variety if you know what I mean....
... and then I got this photo of the trash room on Kyla's floor of her dorm. Mind you, she lived like on the fifth floor of her building. I take it there were like 10 floors or so in this building... all with trash rooms... which looked like what you see in this photo.
What these students are throwing away... shocked me.
Mattresses. Unused pillows, still wrapped. Sheet sets. Comforters. Duvets. Clothes for days. Electronics. Tech. Televisions. Computer monitors. Bluetooth speakers. Stereo equipment. Microwaves. Dorm-sized refrigerators. Shelves. Furniture. Art. Posters. Shoes. Coffee makers and vacuums. I wish I was kidding.
It was astounding... and that was just ONE FLOOR. I have since found this was the scene on many floors in many resident halls... and I'm just not okay with it.
Right now, down the street from me, there's someone who lives in a bus shelter. Sometimes I see 'em in the all-night convenience store just trying to have a place to sleep. In Boston, Kyla's school is just a couple of blocks away from a shelter. There are people who have lost everything -- or who are under-employed - who would kill to have some of this stuff... stuff which could be donated to Goodwill, Salvation Army or some other organization which could give this stuff to people who could genuinely use them.
So, I started a war on the school's parent-only Facebook page about this. And, thankfully, some of the engaged parents seem to agree with me that something... must be done.
Take a look at this photo. Think about your own experiences with college move in and move out. Do you have any ideas or suggestions on how this WASTE could go to someone who needs it? To an organization which can use it?
I'm thinking about a Don't Dump... Donate! Sort of campaign. There just has to be a better way to handle "stuff" than this... especially when you think that over in Ukraine right now... some people could really -- REALLY -- use some of this stuff as they try to put their lives back together.
What do you think? Hit me up. Let me know. Either in my DM's or in the comments. There has to be a better way... amirite?
With love and perplexity...
Toby
tk@iheartradio.com