Dawgs Ditch the Dumpster (Dawgs Ditch for short) is an annual landfill diversion initiative and student volunteer opportunity that reflects housing’s commitments to sustainability and student leadership. The program allows residents living on campus to donate unwanted items that may otherwise end up in a landfill.
While donating unwanted items is an option, University Housing encourages residents to think about sustainable options such as reusing items another year or longer, taking accepted items directly to the UGA Swap Shop, selling unwanted items, and lastly donating at our convenient drop off sites.
Spring 2026 donation timeline
May 1 – 6, 2026
Donation locations
What can I donate?
Our impact
Every year, Dawgs Ditch the Dumpster saves an average of 60,000 lbs. of material from ending up in the landfill. That is the equivalent of five 53-ft trailers full of donations.
Campus partners
1st Step:
First Step Athens is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence and promoting safety within the community. They provide emergency shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, and advocacy services to individuals and families in need. Through education and outreach, First Step Athens also works to raise awareness and prevent abuse in the Athens area.
America’s Thrift Store:
With every donation made to America’s Thrift Stores, they are able to give back to their six charity partners across the five states they operate in. With our local America’s Thrift Store partnering with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Goodwill:
Through the “reuse” and “repurpose” model, Goodwill organizations help communities extend the life of items and prevent more items from piling up in local landfills. Goodwill organizations assist people through a variety of employment placement services, job training programs and other community-based services.
The Backpack Project:
The Backpack Project of Athens is a student run 501©(3) nonprofit organization that serves the homeless community in Athens, Georgia. They aim to engage with the Athens homeless population; host charitable volunteer programs based on service gaps identified in the community; raise money, help assemble, and distribute homeless care backpacks; and raise awareness about the causes of homelessness.
Family Promise:
Family Promise of Athens (formerly the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens, Inc.) is a non-profit organization committed to providing housing supports to families with children who are facing or experiencing the crisis of homelessness.
Project Safe:
Project Safe works to end domestic violence through crisis intervention, ongoing supportive services, systems change advocacy, and prevention and education in the community.
Swap Shop:
UGA Swap Shop is a campus initiative that promotes sustainability by allowing members of the University of Georgia community to exchange unwanted items instead of throwing them away. It provides a space where students, faculty, and staff can pick up useful goods for free, reducing waste and encouraging reuse. By keeping items out of landfills, the UGA Swap Shop helps foster a more environmentally conscious campus culture.
Volunteer
Dawgs Ditch the Dumpster relates directly to core values of University Housing to promote sustainability and community engagement. To be a part of our large landfill diversion event while meeting other students from across campus, we invite you to make an impact as a “Dawgs Ditch” volunteer. Volunteers will have the opportunity to meet other students, take a break from finals, and give back to the Athens community.