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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2002)
Where does old funniture so when it’s time to die? ■ Seniors look for methods of discarding used furniture when moving out into the real world By Kathryn Petersen for the Emerald It’s the end of the line for gradu ating seniors. Most are worrying about their impending careers and passing their last classes. After graduation, however, a whole new slew of problems will arise. Leases end, houses and apartments empty and roommates leave. Depending on what the “real world” consists of for the new graduates, furniture and old household appliances will also have to be disposed of or sold. “I would sell my furniture, but I don’t think anyone would really want most of it,” senior Jayson Martell said. “Most of it was passed down to my roommate and me by friends that were older and had graduated. They got their years of use out of it, and let’s just say that we’ve gotten our use out of it too. “We have a broken chair, a couch and a fairly decent table. I actually haven’t thought of what to do with it after I leave. All I know is that I’m not keeping most of it.” For those who don’t want to take their “college furniture” with them when they leave the academic world, there are options. Goodwill Industries of Lane County has a pick-up program, depending on the weight and volume of the items and where the pick-up site is. People interested in a Goodwill pick-up can call the store nearest them and ask about delivery. Soon er is better, because the month of June is one of the busiest times of the year — thanks to college gradua tion. Goodwill only takes items that are clean and in good condition. Items donated to Goodwill can be used as tax write-offs. Those who can’t stand to part with their possessions without getting some cash in return can contact Eugene Liquidators at 689-3973. “We take mostly items that are made of wood, but it all depends on what we need at the time,” spokes woman Esther Borchers said. “A person can bring in an item any time. We consider the condition of the furniture to be the most impor tant thing. We have two buyers for the store, and they’re the ones that have the ultimate say.” Another option for new gradu ates is to hold a garage sale. The City of Eugene allows two garage/yard sales per year without having to apply for a permit. Those who do need a permit can call the Land Use Applications office at 682-5377. Some people, such as Universi ty senior Jason Blakely, don’t like the idea of people perusing their belongings. “Garage sales just seem gross to me,” Blakely said. “I don’t like the idea of people looking through my belongings and making comments on all of it. Plus, I would almost rather throw my old stuff out rather than sit in my driveway with all of it priced and having to deal with the weather and people trying to haggle with me over die price of a lamp, which is priced at a dollar but they want it for a quarter. No thanks. Count me out.” For those like Blakely and Martell, who are considering get ting rid of some of their college possessions, disposal isn’t as easy as recruiting a friend and carrying the item to the nearest curb or Dumpster. Sanipac customers need to call in advance and arrange for a bulk pick-up because the company will not pick up ran dom pieces of furniture around a Dumpster or on a curb. Sanipac charges by the cubic yard, and a representative for the company said that the average price to dis pose of a couch is about $13. Another disposal option for bulk items is Lane County Waste Man agement, but they will not pick up the items — people looking to dis card their belongings will need to deliver them to the site. While disposing of possessions can be a hassle, Martell and Blakely pointed out that there is a positive side. “College furniture is good fof one thing: college,” Martell said. “I can’t wait to start from scratch and have furniture that isn’t broken.” Blakely agreed. “It will be nice to have stuff that isn’t all mismatched and crappy,” he said. “It will be nice to have plates and silverware that aren’t from different random places.” Kathryn Petersen is a freelance reporter for the Emerald. CLAIR LU APARTMENTS at 735 E. 17th (between Alder St Hilyard) 1 Bedroom, Furnished Apartments On site laundry &. parking. Real value! 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