Mayor Madden: Troy Launches Semester-End Clean Out Program with Local Colleges

City partnering with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Sage Colleges, Hudson Valley Community College, and Troy Area United Ministries to collect and distribute usable household items to families in need



Program will help divert furniture, other large items from landfills to reduce solid waste disposal costs



Mayor Madden: Embracing new recycling opportunities is part of administration’s commitment to reduce environmental impact, promote sustainable practices

TROY, NY –Mayor Patrick Madden today announced the City of Troy has launched a pilot program to increase bulk recycling opportunities and support local families in partnership with Troy-based colleges. Coinciding with spring semester move-out, the program – a partnership with Hudson Valley Community College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Sage Colleges, and community service provider Troy Area United Ministries (TAUM) – aims to redirect usable household items such as furniture and home appliances to Troy families and prevent unnecessary disposal into local landfills.

Mayor Madden said, “Oversize items like couches, dressers, and other furniture placed curbside for removal often end up in landfills, increasing local costs for municipalities and diverting city resources away from other critical city services. Embracing new recycling opportunities is part of my administration’s commitment to reduce our overall impact on the environment and build a more sustainable future for our community. We are proud to partner with our local college partners and Troy Area United Ministries on this new recycling initiative to ensure quality household items are donated to families in our community.”

During end-of-semester move out (May 8th and 9th, May 10th through 13th, and the week of May 28th), TAUM will be visiting various student neighborhoods to collect large items in usable condition from off-campus student housing. Collected items will be donated directly back into our own Troy community to individuals and families in need of assistance. Representatives from RPI, Sage, and HVCC are working with the City of Troy to promote the program among students.

Rev. Donna Elia, Executive Director of Troy Area United Ministries, said, “Partnership with the City, colleges, and other service providers is at the heart of Troy Area United Ministries. Each year, we give away $275,000 worth of good, usable furniture free of charge to those who have experienced homelessness or domestic violence and to other low income families. 85% of the people we serve are Troy residents. Keeping good condition furniture out of landfills is important for the environment. Everybody wins!”



“Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is proud of our on-going efforts to increase recycling and reduce the environmental impact of our nearly 8,000 students. We are excited to work with the city on this new partnership that will enable our students to give back to the community that has given so much to them during their time in Troy,” said Claude Rounds, Rensselaer Vice President for Administration.

The collection schedule is as follows:

May 8th – 9th (between Hoosick Street and Sage Avenue)

May 10th – 13th (between Sage Avenue and Congress Street)

May 28th – 30th (both areas)

Additionally, on-campus students and staff will be able to take participate in this re-use and recycling opportunity, with campuses also collecting textiles (soft goods, ie: clothing and bedding/sheets) for repurposing or recycling.

In 2018, the city launched a textile recycling program to collect clothing, shoes, and other textiles for reuse and recycling. Accepted items can also be deposited at the following neighborhood drop stations:

Fire Department Central Station – 2175 6th Avenue (rear alley)

Fire Department Station #1 – 115th Street and 5th Avenue

Fire Department Station #3 – 530 Campbell Avenue

South Troy – Corner of Main Street and E. Industrial Parkway (Alamo facility)

Students interested in participating in this year’s pilot program can contact the following individuals:

RPI

Towanda Colquiett

Director, Environmental/Site Services

(518) 727-0069

[email protected]

Sage Colleges

John Zajaceskowski

Director of Facilities & Planning

(518) 244-3182

[email protected]

HVCC

Laurie Vivekenand

Director, Environmental Health/Safety

(518) 629-7163

[email protected]

City of Troy

Renee Panetta

Recycling Coordinator

(518) 279-7171

[email protected]

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Press Contact:

John Salka, Deputy Director of Public Information

[email protected] / (518) 279-7131