Project Overview
In 2025, Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS), in partnership with Penn Building Services (PBS), advanced the University of Pennsylvania’s sustainability and community-impact goals through a coordinated, large-scale donation and reuse program. Rather than defaulting to disposal, RHS redirected reusable furniture and emergency water supplies from multiple campus projects into regional nonprofit reuse and food-security networks.
Special Projects Coordinator Caleb Younkman led coordination efforts for surplus assessment, partner alignment, and donation logistics, supporting Penn’s commitment to responsible resource management and community partnership.
Collaboration and Execution
Interdepartmental Partnership
Worked closely with Penn Building Services to assess furniture condition, coordinate collection, and manage transport. Utilized operational data to evaluate reuse versus disposal outcomes.
Nonprofit Partnerships
Partnered with regional and national nonprofit organizations to maximize social impact. Directed usable materials into established reuse and redistribution networks serving families, schools, and housing programs.
Logistics and Phasing
Coordinated multi-site furniture recovery from ongoing renovations and departures. Managed off-campus warehouse inventory and phased release of emergency water supplies.
Sustainable Resource Management
Furniture Reuse Strategy
Prioritized reuse and donation over landfill disposal. Diverted structurally sound, usable furniture into long-term community use.
Donation-Versus-Landfill Analysis
Applied PBS operational estimates indicating approximately 25% of collected furniture was unsuitable for donation. Achieved a 75% diversion rate by redirecting usable materials into reuse streams.
Community Impact
Water Donations
A total of 50 pallets of emergency water were donated to community partners.
Netter Center
14 Pallets
Supported K–12 education programs and youth engagement.
Share Food Program
36 Pallets
Strengthened large-scale food distribution and emergency response capabilities.
Furniture Donations
RHS donated 5,327 pieces of reusable furniture.
Good Haul
4,645 Items
Redistributed to low-income families and transitional housing.
Chicago Furniture Bank
682 Items
Used to fully furnish homes for families transitioning out of homelessness.
Measurable Outcomes
- Furniture Donated: 5,327 items
- Landfill Diversion Rate: ~75%
- Water Donated: 50 pallets
- Impact: Housing stability, food security, education support
Project Gallery
Documenting the large-scale collection and redistribution effort.
