Information on sustainability initiative for Singaporeans in Boston: July and August 2020

If matched, what would volunteers do?

At minimum, volunteers will bring boxes of clothes, appliances and housewares (packed by requester's friends or flatmates) from the curb to the nearest Goodwill donation centre.

Additional involvement (picking up from the hallway/room, packing) raises potential issues (health, liability, safety, time, effort, logistics) and, if requested, is up to the individual comfort level of the volunteers.

For requesters

Who's eligible?

• Singaporean students unable to return to Boston by the end of their lease
• Belongings thus to be discarded by friends or flatmates

What should I take note of?

• We will not prevent volunteers, if they wish, from possessing a reasonable portion of your stuff for personal use
• This is not a promise to do anything and neither organisers nor volunteers will be liable for any form of damages arising from your use or reliance of this initiative

How do I make a request?

Please email requester.sorus@slmail.me with your situation, the location of your stuff, approx date of pickup (Mon-Sat 10-4), approx donation volume, requests/preference for additional involvement (picking up from the hallway/room, packing) and whether to proceed with the curbside pickup if we cannot fulfil the additional requests. Please do not delay your plans in anticipation of a pickup. We apologise for the fact that you may not receive a reply if we receive more requests than we can handle.

For volunteers

What is the time commitment?

Starting from one hour (excluding travel time). This is the time required to coordinate a pickup and make a one-way trip on foot carrying stuff to Goodwill, with breaks on the way.

If you volunteer additional trips or additional involvement (helping to pack), that'd be more time. That's optional.

Why should I help?

• To reduce the burden on fellow Singaporean students in Boston, and their friends or flatmates, during a time of crisis
• Every shirt in a landfill leaches dyes into rivers, which impedes photosynthesis by algae, who die, and upset the food chain. Every decomposing shirt emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. You are helping to save many shirts from the landfill, and forestall the production of a new one. Analogously for appliances

How do I volunteer?

Please email volunteer.schooler@slmail.me with the neighbourhood where you live, your availability, comfort level with requests/preference for additional involvement (picking up from the hallway/room, packing) and whether you have a car. You will receive further information.

You are also welcome to reach out if you wish to help organise.