Turning Trash into Treasure: How One Campus Club is Redefining Sustainability at Northeastern

Did you know that the average college student creates almost 650 pounds of waste per year? From paper and plastic waste to items such as clothing and appliances, this number has only been growing in recent years. 

Meet Susan Dinh, one of the co-presidents of Trash to Treasure, a club at Northeastern University dedicated to reducing waste on and around the Boston campus. “Our club’s mission is to reduce waste on campus through our events such as upcycling and clothing collection. We want to build a more sustainable community at Northeastern and  promote sustainable habits, especially during move-out and move-in dates.” 

Susan emphasized that many students arrive on campus each semester feeling the need to buy new items, whether it's dorm furniture, kitchen supplies, or new clothing. The problem arises when these items are quickly discarded, often still in good condition, at the end of the year. One of the club’s biggest projects is the Collection and Donation Event, recognizable by the large red bins placed across campus. Students can conveniently donate their unwanted items by placing them in these bins. The items are then sorted and sold on campus as secondhand goods at a fraction of retail prices. 

“During move-out season, students throw away tons of stuff—furniture, appliances, clothing,” Susan shares. “Last semester alone, we collected around 14,000 pounds of items.” Each item is noted and weighed so the club can keep track of what is collected and the scale of their impact. The remaining items are then distributed to T2Ts donation partners, which include textile recycling companies such as Helpsy and Goodwill.

“Many students don’t even realize what happens to their waste,” Susan notes. “There’s a disconnect. Our goal is to bring awareness to the fact that just because you throw something in the trash doesn’t mean it disappears. It ends up somewhere—usually in a landfill.” In 2024, T2T saved over 11,400 pounds from going in the trash! 

Photos by Susan Dinh                                  

Beyond collection drives, Trash to Treasure holds consistent biweekly upcycling events, where students learn to repurpose materials like fabric, plastic, and glass. Some of these meetings include plant propagation projects using old soda bottles and clothing swaps. From jewelry making to air dry clay, T2T has many creative ways to upcycle. The club also holds annual outings to thrift stores such as Goodwill and The Garment District to encourage sustainable shopping habits. In addition, T2T has collaborated with other clubs on campus such as The Fashion Society where they hosted a workshop educating members on their fashion footprints. Here students were able to learn more about the impact of their wardrobes on the environment.  

Part of Trash to Treasure’s work is helping students understand the environmental and social impact of their purchasing habits. Many students don’t think twice about buying fast fashion, dorm décor, or single-use plastics because they are affordable and extremely accessible. However, these choices come with hidden costs such as pollution and unethical labor practices, to name a few. The convenience of cheap, mass-produced goods often overshadows the long-term consequences of their production and disposal.

“It really starts from the source when students move in and their mentality is basically, oh, I'm just going to be here for a little bit, so I'm going to buy really low quality materials like clothing as well as furniture. And then they throw that away at the end. One of our missions is basically educating students around that kind of stuff and helping them upcycle what they already have.”

While Trash to Treasure has grown in visibility over the past decade, Susan hopes to see even more students getting involved. “Our events are popular, but we’d love to have more students join our general meetings and take part in the collection drives,” she says. With the next Collection event starting April 17, it’s the perfect opportunity for Northeastern students to declutter sustainably before the end of the semester. Instead of tossing out clothing, furniture, and household items, students can donate them to be given a second life through Trash to Treasure’s redistribution efforts. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also helps other students find affordable items they need.

So what should you do if there is no club on your college campus that promotes sustainability? Consider starting your own club or simply be more mindful of the impacts of your consumption. Maybe look into upcycling furniture before buying new pieces, or maybe make plans with your friends to visit thrift stores for a new wardrobe. Looking for ways to get involved? Organizing your own donation drive could be a great way to help the planet and those around you. Small actions can lead to big change!

For more updates, follow @nu_t2t on Instagram. Whether you’re looking to clean out your dorm, contribute to a greener campus, or just learn more about sustainable living, there’s a place for you in this growing movement.