Patriot Packout (PPO) – University Sustainability

PATRIOT PACKOUT'S SPRING MOVE-OUT DONATION COLLECTION

WHEN: Wednesday, April 20 - May 13

WHERE: Fairfax Campus, Science and Technology Campus, and Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation

Patriot Packout is open to all George Mason community members (George Mason students, staff, subcontracted workers, faculty, and alumni).

PPO is not available to the general public due to capacity and resources.

Become a Patriot Packout Supporter:

Sign-up for a Patriot Packout volunteer shift: https://go.gmu.edu/volunteerPPO
Donate new, like-new, and gently used items at Patriot Packout's donation drop-off locations
Participate in Patriot Packout events this Earth Month

Fairfax Campus

Science and Technology Campus

Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

ACCEPTED DONATIONS

Gently Used, Like-New, or New Items: “If you wouldn’t give it to a friend, don’t give it to PPO.”

Bikes, Scooters, and Skateboards
- Bring to PPO outdoor donation location or to Parking and Transportation's Bike to Mason events in April. If you can't, please email [email protected] a photo of your bike and its bike rack location using your George Mason email.
Clothing, Shoes, and Accessories
- Must be clean and bagged separately. NO used undergarments, socks, or unwashed clothing (thanks in advance)!
Unopened, Unexpired Non-Perishable Food and Personal Hygiene Supplies
- Non-perishable food and personal hygiene supplies must be unused/unopened and not expired or close to expiration (> 2 months).
Textbooks, Testing Supplies, and Art Supplies
- See 'Art Supply Sharing Closet' and 'First Gen+ Center' lists above.
Small Appliances and Electronics
- Fragile items must be boxed separately. Bring broken electronics (e-waste) to e-waste recycling drop-off locations.
Small Furniture and Equipment
- Mirrors must be unbroken, and all furniture must be assembled.

Select donations that Patriot Packout partners need to support Mason Patriots are included above.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION

THE TRANS CLOTHING CLOSET

THE PATRIOT PANTRY

THE FIRST GEN+ CENTER

MASON INNOVATION EXCHANGE (MIX)

Website and Resource Links

Patriot Packout History

Early donation initiatives began in 2003, when Mason Facilities staff members collected clothing items and transported them to the Salvation Army to divert them away from move-out trash bins.

In 2007, the Office of Community Relations (now the Office of Community and Local Government Relations), began and officially named Patriot Packout (PPO) as a program to give students who were moving out of their residence halls an outlet to donate their unwanted clothes, appliances and unopened food items to local charities. Tasked with creating community engagement opportunities for the university, the Community Relations team researched programs at other universities and adapted the various move-out programs they found to fit George Mason University and the needs of the community. The Office of Community Relations collaborated with George Mason’s Facilities Management and University Sustainability teams gaining support and partners in PPO.

In 2010, the program won the Green Carpet Award from the Virginia Recycling Association in the category of Outstanding New Age Recycling Performance. Since 2010, PPO has diverted 123,208 pounds of reusable goods, electronics/appliances, non-perishable food supplies, and toiletries through not-for-profit donations!

Past donation partners included on-campus resources like Mason’s Patriot Pantry, the Trans Clothing Closet, and the Art Supply Sharing Closet. However, most PPO donations were typically distributed off-campus through partnerships with non-profit organizations like Food for Others, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, AmVets, and the Clock Tower Thrift Shop.

The PPO initiative was officially moved over to be led by University Sustainability in 2014. In 2023, University Sustainability launched the Patriot Packout Planning Committee to expand PPO’s impact on campus, with the goal of prioritizing the free redistribution of donated goods to the Mason community and those in need.

PPO Benefits:

Reduces the waste disposal of usable items and transfers them to folks in need.
Donates food and toiletry supplies to students through the Patriot Pantry and other Mason resources.
Provides a safe donation and disposal alternative for hazardous and universal waste items.
- Reduces improper dumping of broken appliances and furniture and pollution, protecting Housing and Residence Life and Facilities staff members.
Decreases waste hauling and disposal costs while reducing staff time spent on waste removal and monitoring.
Streamlines the move-out process by providing students and families with a resource to donate items.
Provides service-learning and civic engagement opportunities for all participants.

PATRIOT PACKOUT'S SPRING MOVE-OUT DONATION COLLECTION

PATRIOT PACKOUT VOLUNTEERING

BECOME A PATRIOT PACKOUT VOLUNTEER!

PPO DONATION LOCATIONS: 2026 SPRING MOVE-OUT

If you are commuting or traveling to the Fairfax Campus, we encourage folks to utilize Fairfax donation drop-off points as well.

ACCEPTED DONATIONS

Gently Used, Like-New, or New Items: “If you wouldn’t give it to a friend, don’t give it to PPO.”

PPO CAMPUS DONATION PARTNERS

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Questions about Patriot Packout? Reach out to us at [email protected]