As the spring semester comes to a close, you may be preparing to leave town in the next few weeks. For those of you who will graduate this semester, congratulations, and we wish you well on your future endeavors! It’s a bittersweet time for all of us as we say goodbye to familiar faces and welcome new opportunities for growth and exploration. This time of year is also stressful, as it often means moving back home with a lot more items that you came with. This article offers some tips and resources to help make this move as smooth and stress-free as possible.
The City of Ann Arbor has an ordinance that all curbside trash must fit in city-issued trash and recycling bins. Breaching the ordinance by leaving bulky items at the curb such as desks, chairs, couches, and TV stands are subject to a minimum fine of $100. To avoid these fines, consider donating anything you don’t plan to take with you. There are donation bins throughout the city, but if you’re unable to make it to one or your items are too big for these boxes, there are other options!
Here’s a list of local organizations that are willing to pick up donations for you:
- Habitat for Humanity Restore, 6241 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor MI, 734-276-0599
- The Share House, 5161 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor MI, 734-222-0876
- Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Store, 2280 S Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor MI, 734-996-9155
- Kiwanis Thrift Sale, 100 N Staebler Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 734-665-0450
- Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center, 1621 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI, 734-332-3948
- Scrap Creative Reuse, 4567 Washtenaw Ave. Ann Arbor, MI, 734-800-4137
- Friends in Deed, 1196 Ecorse Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48198, 734-484-4357
- A full list of donation centers is also accessible through Donations City Guide
If your items aren’t in good enough condition to donate, then these Ann Arbor area services will dispose of bulky waste for you:
- 1-800-GOT-JUNK
- Big Time Services: 734-330-9000
- Calvert’s Roll-Off Containers, Inc: 734-426-2280
- Honeymoon Hauler: 734-971-740
If you still have a lot of items to take with you, you might need to rent a moving truck. Most of us are familiar with U-Haul which is a great resource for all kinds of moving essentials such as boxes and tape, rental trucks, and storage spaces. However, it can also get pretty expensive. As students, you’re eligible for a discount at Budget Truck, which can help you save money without sacrificing quality.
If you are planning to live in the same house next year, you may be leaving personal items in Ann Arbor over the summer. Make sure to unplug your appliances, turn off the lights, and lock the doors and windows to keep your residence safe for the summer. You can also ask a friend or neighbor to check on your residence, and let you know if they have any concerns.
Finally, we’d like to remind everyone to take care of themselves over the summer. Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and take time to recharge. We can’t wait to welcome you back in the fall, refreshed and ready to take on new challenges.
Until then, have a great summer!