It’s inevitable: over the course of the school year, students in Temple residence halls accumulate lots of stuff. And in many cases their parents don’t want it back in their homes when they return home for summer.

To ensure all those unloved fashions, foods and furnishings don’t end up in a trash heap, Temple’s offices of Residential Life and Sustainability have established the Give+Go Green clean-out program.

During end of year move-out, students are encouraged to donate unwanted clothing, shoes, non-perishable food, electronics, carpets and school supplies, which Temple staff and volunteers later sort for distribution to area charities.

Food items will be distributed to Philabundance food banks, clothing will be sent to Goodwill Industries and carpets and rugs will be offered to Revolution Recovery, an organization that recycles construction, manufacturing and residential materials.

Assistant Director of Residential Life Jim Poole said Temple’s emphasis on re-use distinguishes its program from those at other universities.

“We collect the material and donate it directly to charitable organizations, whereas other collegiate end-of-year recycling programs hold a yard sale in which items are sold and the money donated,” said Poole.

Last year, the program diverted 14,000 pounds from the waste stream, up from 12,000 pounds in 2010. Organizers hope to collect 15,000 pounds of materials this year.

Give+Go Green began April 25 and will continue through final exams and move out days.

On May 14, Residential Life will have a sorting party during which volunteers will sort items and prepare them to ship to charities the following day. Those interested in volunteering may contact Poole at jimpoole@temple.edu.