There are many major events throughout the year that serve as rites of passage at the College of Charleston.

For many students living in off-campus housing in downtown Charleston, one important date on the calendar is July 31. That’s when many downtown rental leases expire and many residents move out of their homes and apartments between July 30 and Aug. 1, which spills into the weekend. That high concentration of move-outs can put a strain on city services as trash, furniture and other household items that residents leave out for pick-up accumulate on neighborhood streets and sidewalks.

In an effort to assist the City of Charleston with the timely removal of these items, the College is partnering with the City to help cover some of the costs of additional pick-up times and resources.

“We recognize that our students are among the many residents who will be transitioning to and from off-campus housing during this busy weekend,” says College of Charleston President Glenn F. McConnell. “As part of the College’s continued efforts to be a good neighbor and to set an example for our student body, we are pleased to be part of an initiative that helps maintain the beauty and livability of our world-class city.”

Now in its fifth year, the Operation Move-Out partnership has led to improvements in the timely removal of trash and has created a pipeline for recycling and reusing old furniture and other items.

“The relationship between the City of Charleston and the College of Charleston has undoubtedly proven successful since the Operation Move-Out initiative began,” says Dan Riccio, the director of livability for the City of Charleston. “The City’s expectation on the proper disposal of trash and household items during the move has been communicated to the students living off-campus, which has aided in the success of Operation Move-Out.”

The City of Charleston offers the following tips for placing items on the curb for pick-up:

  • Only food waste is to be placed in the green collection can.
  • Only recyclables are to be placed in the blue collection can.
  • Large household items should be stacked neatly at the curb.
  • Small personal items and clothes should be bagged.
  • No loose plastic garbage bags with food waste are to be placed on the ground.

Gently used household furniture and goods can be donated by calling Goodwill Industries at 843.609.6145 to schedule a pick-up prior to July 31, 2015.