Virginia Tech
OP-T2-43: Move-Out Waste Reduction

Ytoss is a recycling program that was created by the YMCA at Virginia Tech in the spring of 2006. Ytoss aims to reduce waste that is discarded during Student Move-Out in order to collect gently used items from students. Items that are collected are cleaned up, stored and sold at a Fall sale during Campus Move-In. The proceeds of the sale help support the YMCA at Virginia Tech’s community outreach and leadership based programs, which frequently serve under-served or at risk members of the community. The purpose of Ytoss is to keep as much as possible out of the local landfill, toting the slogan:“Ytoss it, when you can pass it on?” Participants in the 2010 Ytoss event included the YMCA at Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech's Office of Energy and Sustainability, the Department of Residence Life, the Town of Blacksburg and other campus and community based organizations The 2010 Ytoss event during Student Move-Out week collected over 20,000 pounds of materials that otherwise would have ended up in the landfill. On April 29, 2010 Ytoss received the University Student Leadership Award for Outstanding Achievement by an Organization. The Ytoss 2011 event again collected over 20,000 pounds of reusable materials. The Ytoss 2012 event collected 27,000 pounds of reusable materials! For a full summary of the 2012 results, please see: http://www.facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/unlinked/20130218/PartnerMeetingSummary02_08.ppt For more information about the annual Ytoss event, please see: http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/events.asp Please see Section 6.3.2 of the Comprehensive Waste Management Plan for Virginia Tech for additional information about move-out waste reduction: http://facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/unlinked/Comprehensive_Waste_Mangement_Plan_Virginia_Tech_7_15_2011_Final.pdf