Handsome Dan sitting next to Ben Franklin statue with paws on Franklin's thigh

Spring Salvage

Reducing waste, one item at a time

Spring Salvage is Yale Housing’s annual furniture reuse program. The program helps reduce waste and keep usable items out of landfills by connecting residents who no longer need furniture with members of the Yale community who can give those items a second life.

The program operates annually from April through September.

Ready to Submit an Item?

If you have large furniture to donate, please use our form below.

Spring Salvage Form

How It Works

Residents may donate eligible furniture and household items by submitting a donation form.

To participate:

  • Submit one donation form per item
  • Include a description of the item
  • Upload at least two photos
  • Donations must be offered free of charge

This program is intended for donations only and may not be used to sell items.

Available items are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Once an item has been adopted:

  • The donor is responsible for coordinating delivery of the item to a designated Yale Housing storage location.
  • Large items must be disassembled before being brought to the storage facility.
  • The adopter is responsible for picking up the item from the designated storage location.

Once adopted, the item becomes the property of the new owner.

Commonly donated items include:

  • Desks
  • Chairs
  • Shelving units
  • Lamps
  • Small tables
  • Household furnishings

The following items are not accepted through Spring Salvage:

  • Mattresses
  • Upholstered furniture
  • Broken or damaged items
  • Sofas

Residents wishing to donate sofas may contact the Salvation Army directly to arrange pickup at 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).

  • Items are adopted on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Donations must be in usable condition.
  • Residents are responsible for removing donated items from their housing unit.
  • Unclaimed items left in housing units may result in charges as outlined in the Yale Housing License Agreement.
  • If an item is not adopted by the end of the program, Yale Housing may donate it to a local nonprofit organization.

Yale Housing asks residents to be considerate of fellow community members and adopt only items they genuinely need.

For questions or feedback about the Spring Salvage program, please contact yalespringsalvage@gmail.com. 

Looking for Smaller Items?

The Spring Salvage is for large furniture only. For smaller items like clothing, household goods, books, toys, and other portable items, visit our Swap Room page for information on Yale Housing’s year-round community exchange program.