HOW THE BOBCATS ARE GIVING BACK: TXST student donations divert over 2,800 pounds of material from landfills

With the help of Texas State University, the Bobcats Give Back program has been able to create a sustainable move-out initiative. Bobcats were encouraged to join the movement to reduce, reuse and recycle while also having a smoother moving transition.

During the summer, students from various apartment complexes in San Marcos had the opportunity to donate gently used and unwanted household items, including clothing, non-perishable food, small appliances and electronics, backpacks, luggage, home decor, linens, kitchenware, cookware and other household goods.

The program was first launched in 2019 and proved to be a huge success with over 6,000 pounds of donations received. However, in 2020 the drive wasn’t held due to COVID-19.

This year's donation drive was held from July 6 to Aug. 5, with the items collected being donated to 10 nonprofit partners and reuse businesses throughout Hays County, including the Hays County Food Bank, Green Guy Recycling, the Texas State University School of Social Work and the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center.

In total, Texas State student donations were able to divert 2,849 pounds of material from landfills.

"During each major summer move-out, apartment dumpsters are overrun with valuable materials," said San Marcos Resource Recovery Program Coordinator Heather Wooten. "By offering convenient donation drop-off centers, we hope to inspire students to rethink move-out by wasting less and donating more." Collections received included:

•41% Clothing

•25% Food

•14% Household Goods

•13% Kitchen Supplies

•6% Small Appliances

•1% School Supplies

•0.4% Luggage items

While the Bobcats Give Back was able to collect from 13 apartment complexes within the area, the San Marcos Resource Recovery Division is still looking to expand the program.

In regards to next summer’s drive, the Resource Recovery Division wants to bring on-campus donation sites back as well as increase the number of apartment site partners.

For those interested in staying in the San Marcos recycling loop and receiving the latest program updates, follow @KeepSanMarcosBeautiful on Facebook.