Local impact
Second-Hand Shuffle has record-breaking year
August 4, 2026
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The Second-Hand Shuffle helps students access essential items affordably while supporting sustainability.
Queen's University's Second-Hand Shuffle saw its biggest turnout yet this year, with furniture, kitchenware, clothing, household goods, and thousands of other donated items finding new homes instead of ending up in landfill.
Held at the end of the winter term as students moved out of residence and transitioned to or from off-campus housing, the event keeps usable items in circulation and reduces waste. Over nine days in April, 2,298 participants and the staff and volunteers who organized and operated the event helped divert 7,333 donated items, representing 26,227 kilograms of material.
Organizers from Student Affairs, the Alma Mater Society (AMS), Facilities, and the campus community initially planned five days for the event, similar to last year, but the volume of donations quickly exceeded expectations.
“Students were engaged early and paying attention to our coordinated messaging across campus. They were looking for greener, cost-conscious ways to move out and in,” says Mary Ann Tierney, Off-Campus Living Advisor. “The turnout exceeded our expectations right away. Interest was so strong that our event space reached capacity by the end of day one. We had to pivot quickly by opening pickup sooner, with a combined drop-off and pickup model starting on the second day, to keep things running smoothly.”
Over 7,000 items, including furniture, kitchenware, clothing, and household goods, were donated.
Organizers estimate the event saved participants approximately $386,447 by reducing the need to buy new goods while avoiding over 124 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions. According to Natural Resources Canada, that is roughly equivalent to powering 115 homes for a year.
Because all donated items are available free of charge, the Shuffle helps reduce financial barriers for students, particularly those furnishing a home for the first time. The event's impact also extends beyond campus. Local Kingston charities are invited to collect donated items on designated days, while non-perishable food items are accepted for donation to the AMS Food Bank. Items too worn or damaged for reuse, including scrap metal, e-waste, and textiles, are recycled or disposed of responsibly.
“The continued success of the Second-Hand Shuffle shows what's possible when our community embraces reuse,” says Llynwen Osborne, Resource Recovery and Sustainability Specialist. “Seeing donated items find new homes is especially rewarding because it helps students access affordable essentials while fostering a culture of reuse across the Queen’s community.”
As participation continues to grow, the Second-Hand Shuffle is helping advance the university’s commitment to sustainability by reducing waste, encouraging reuse, and making everyday essentials more accessible.
Learn more about Queen's Second-Hand Shuffle.
