With June just around the corner and the school year coming to a close, many students will return home for the summer and leases will end. People are moving — whether it is in or out. To help make moving easier for everyone, students and neighbors alike, the University is putting on two separate events that will assist students when getting rid of unwanted and reusable household items.

“Lighten your Load” and “Duck Donation Days” will be taking place in June and are multi-facetted events promoting being a good neighbor and sustainability.

“Lighten your Load” will take place on campus from June 5-14. Bins will be placed in residence halls throughout campus at several locations. The student affairs team is working with a local charity called the Springfield Public School Resource Center, who will also be working hand-in-hand with local nonprofits for this event.

Lauren Miller, the director of marketing for University housing, emphasizes the importance of the messages of sustainability and healthy living.

“We’re really trying to teach our students to try and be good stewards in their communities, and how to make smart decisions about these kinds of things,” she said. “It aligns with a lot of the missions that we have for the entire department and student affairs — it’s healthy to make these kinds of decisions.”

So what about the other 20,000 students who live off campus? Along the same lines as “Lighten your Load,” working with St. Vincent de Paul and campus recycling, Jen Summers, UO director of substance abuse prevention is overseeing “Duck Donation Days.”  This event runs from June 4-12.

Students will have the opportunity to sign up online through the Dean of Students office and request a pick-up of unwanted household items; such as couches, food and clothing that they want to get rid of. St. Vincent de Paul will then come by specific locations within the allotted time-slot for free of charge.

Summers says something needs to be done about dealing with and disposing of unwanted items properly.

“We want to get it where neighborhoods can be clean and great, and a thriving community,” she said. “It’s not just everything out on the streets, however, you can find some cool stuff on the streets, you can find cool stuff at St Vinnie’s and that’s how we give back to them.”

Kristine Gerron, a student coordinator for “Duck Donation Days” said she understands the importance of keeping the neighborhoods a clean and safe place.

“The biggest thing for students is convenience,” she said. “If we can keep old, unwanted household items off the street as much as possible, I think it’s a good goal to set.”