Sustainability

Sustainable Housing Equipment (S.H.E.) Shed

Student looking at clothes during annual sustainability celebration

The Sustainable Housing Equipment (S.H.E.) Shed advances sustainability at Western Michigan University by reducing waste, promoting resource conservation, and supporting student well-being. Each year, a significant amount of housing equipment is discarded during student move-outs, contributing to landfill waste. The S.H.E. Shed addresses this issue by collecting gently used household items from students during move-out, as well as donations from staff, and faculty. Items are cleaned, repaired, and redistributed to WMU students. Equipment is free for students, but cash donations are accepted. This approach extends the lifecycle of items while making essential housing equipment accessible and affordable for all students.   

Our initiative is grounded in three core values: sustainability, affordability, and accessibility. By keeping items out of the landfill, encouraging donations, and repurposing items, we reduce environmental impact while easing the financial burden on students. Located at the Office for Sustainability on WMU’s main campus, the S.H.E. Shed ensures convenient access for all students. 

This is our pilot year. If you have recommendations for the S.H.E Shed, please let our team know! 

Spring Schedule: Starting Monday, Jan. 12

Monday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Tuesday: 1  to 4 p.m. 
Thursday: 2 to 5 p.m. 

Do you have items that you don't need anymore? Let another Bronco put it to good use!

Who can donate? We are accepting items from WMU students, staff, and faculty. We hope to expand this part of the program soon. 

We cannot offer donation pickups at this time, so you are responsible for transporting your donated items.

We Accept:

If it is clean, usable, and could help another student, we accept it. Our team will evaluate the items prior to accepting. We may deny items based on usability and cleanliness. 

School and Office Supplies:
  • Notebooks, pens, pencils, folders
  • Binders, staplers, scissors, 
  • Tape, push pins, desk organizers
Cleaning Supplies:
  • Brooms, mops, vacuums,
  • Buckets, sponges, scrub brushes
  • Cleaning products (open products need to be in original containers)
Dorm Room and Apartment Items:
  • Posters, artwork, wall decor
  • Lamps, string lights
  • Picture frames, mirrors
  • Small furniture (nightstands, side tables, end tables, small desks, chairs)
Kitchenware:
  • Plates, cups, bowls, mugs
  • Silverware & utensils
  • Pots, pans, baking sheets
  • Tupperware
  • Mini fridges (must be EMPTY, DEFROSTED, and DISINFECTED)
Storage and Organizations:
  • Bins, boxes, bags
  • Hangers
  • Closet organizers

We Do Not Accept: 

  • Food (no snacks, cans, dry goods, or perishables) 
  • Clothes or apparel (we hope to open this option soon)
  • Dirty, broken, or gross items
  • Futons or large furniture
  • Foam mattress toppers, bedding, and pillows
  • Bean bags or oversized cushions
  • Garbage or items with strong odors 

Since the items in the store are all donated, our inventory changes every week. We can't guarantee that we'll have specific items in stock. 

  • Access to the S.H.E Shed is limited to WMU students. Kindly note that guests outside of WMU are not allowed to pick up items from the S.H.E. Shed. 
  • Each student is allowed to thrift every 14 days. 
  • Be mindful of others. This store is a shared resource for all students. Take only what you need and leave things behind that you don't. This helps ensure that there are enough items for all.
  • To make a comfortable and safe environment for everyone, we can only accommodate a maximum of 5 guests at any given time.
  • Keep it clean: Put things back where you found them if you decide not to take them. If something is broken, please let our team know. 
  • You are responsible for your own transportation of items. At this time, we do not offer equipment deliveries. 
  • Our team will do our best to check over each donated items. You understand that anything you take is used and has been donated. We are not responsible for anything that ends up being broken after it leaves the S.H.E. Shed. 
  • No resale is allowed. These items are for students' personal use only and are not to be resold. Reselling them goes against the purpose of the program and is strictly prohibited. 
  • To ensure everyone gets a chance to have access to certain items, limits may be placed on some products. Please follow all rules if signs are posted.  
  • Only take items that are allowed. If you are unsure about an item, kindly request for help from our team. 
Check In Rules
  • To check out items from the S.H.E. Shed, you must be a current WMU student and with a valid Bronco ID card. Students who don't have their ID card with them will not be able to check in or take any items. 
  • You must also be enrolled in at least one class for the current semester (summer entry based on current summer or registered for at least one fall class).
  • Please limit your thrifting time to 20 minutes.
Check Out Rules
  • Check out with our team at the end of your thrifting experience with your items. This allows us to monitor available items in our inventory.
  • If you are unsure about an item, kindly ask our team for help.
  • Reservation is allowed for a future pickup in the event that you are unable to take an item home immediately. 
Reservations
  • If you find an item that you would like, you can reserve it for 3 business days. We will tag the item and set it aside. Failure to pick it up will result in the item being donated back to the S.H.E. Shed.
  • You must be checked in to reserve an item.
  • If you no longer need the reserved item, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible via email. 
  • You will receive a reservation tag and email confirmation. The item will be held under your name. 
Item-Specific Rules

Large Items: Each student may take one large item every 14 days. Examples of large items include: 

  • Microwaves
  • Fans
  • Table Lamps
  • Mini fridges

Small Items: Each student may take a handful of small items every 14 days. A handful is defined as an amount that can fit in a single standard grocery bag. Examples of small items include:

  • Mugs and cups
  • Utensils
  • Notebooks
  • Art Supplies