What does RESCUE mean in COMMUNITY

RESCUE is an acronym for Recycle Everything, Save Colbys Usable Excess. It is a program designed to help the Colby community reduce their carbon footprint through recycling and reduce food waste by diverting usable excess food from landfills.

The program works by gathering unused and excess items that have been donated by students, faculty, staff, and other community members. These items are then sorted into categories such as recyclable materials (paper, plastic, etc.), compostables (food scraps) and non-recyclables. Any usable excess food is then distributed to those in need through local nonprofits or our own Food Recovery Network.

No, not all materials are accepted. We only accept clean and dry items in suitable condition for reuse or recycling including paper products, plastics, metals, glass containers and more. We also accept compostable items like fruit and vegetable scraps as well as nonperishable food products with expiration dates at least one month away from the collection date.

Anyone from the Colby community can donate materials to RESCUE including students, faculty/staff members, alumni, parents/families and friends of the college.

Donations can be dropped off at designated donation bins located around campus or directly to our offices on the 8th Floor of Pulver Pavilion.

Donations should be brought in during normal business hours which are Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm EST.

We primarily accept non-perishable food items such as canned goods or dried staples like rice and pasta along with select household items such as toiletries or cleaning supplies for those in need within our community. All donations must be clean, unopened and unexpired when dropped off.

All donated materials will either be recycled if appropriate or distributed through one of our partnered nonprofits with whom we partner with to help provide critical support services like meals for those facing hunger insecurity here in Waterville Maine area communities. Any surplus left over will then be repurposed for innovative projects to benefit our local environment as much possible.

Absolutely! There are multiple ways you can get involved such as volunteering at donation drives or sorting events throughout the year on campus or helping out at one of our distribution sites where they may need extra hands unloading trucks or sorting donations into appropriate categories like recyclables and food items that are nutritious enough benefits those seeking assistance within our communities near Colby College campus location.