Spring Stuff Swap brings sustainable treasure hunt back to Campus Center

By Grace Navarrete Gonzales

April 10, 2025

The Office of Sustainability and Residence Hall Association welcome Indiana University Indianapolis students, faculty and staff to participate in the annual Spring Stuff Swap from noon to 2 p.m. April 16 in Room 450 of the Campus Center.

Throughout March, the Office of Sustainability collected gently used and unwanted items, which will soon be available for those looking to find free treasures in a sustainable way.

Gabbie Orlando, IU Indianapolis sustainability manager, credits the program’s success to the office staff who developed and refined it before her tenure, as well as to the campus community.

Gabbie Orlando Gabbie Orlando
Credit: Photo provided by IU Office of Sustainability “Without our campus partners hosting collection points and spreading the word, an event like this wouldn’t be possible,” she said. “This event makes sustainability approachable and fun while also having a sustainable goal of reducing waste.”

She and Office of Sustainability interns worked with campus partners across IU Indianapolis to keep track of donations from 10 drop-off locations. They collected and sorted donations throughout March, including books, candles, bags, dinnerware and small kitchen appliances. Other logistics include managing volunteers, promoting the event, creating a timeline and ensuring the day of the event runs smoothly.

“The event has grown over the years,” she said. “Originally, it was held in the Campus Center atrium, but as participation has increased, we’ve needed more space.”

Orlando encourages those who attend to feel free to take as many items as they need, no questions asked.

“In the past we’ve had people bring wagons, so it’s pretty much as much as you can carry out,” she said.

For items that don’t find a new owner by the end of the day, Orlando said the Office of Sustainability continues to find alternative ways to rehome the items and reduce waste.

“Campus groups often browse remaining items to see if they can use them to support the initiatives they are working on,” she said. “Anything left is donated to nonprofits and mutual aid organizations.”

Orlando said IU Indianapolis’ focus on student success and serving communities aids the Office of Sustainability in its mission to build a more sustainable institution.

“The principle of meeting the needs of the present without jeopardizing future generations’ ability to meet their own needs highlights my view on sustainability,” Orlando said. “To me, investing in people and communities is extremely important, and I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to do that here at IU.”

Spring Stuff Swap 2025