AUSTIN, Texas — As University of Texas students return to campus, they have a unique opportunity to furnish their living spaces with university memorabilia and discounted household items at the UT Surplus REuse Store.
Located at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, the store offers a wide range of products including furniture, UT Athletics apparel, office supplies and electronics. It operates on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
Mark Engelman, Assistant Director for Resource Recovery at UT Austin, said the store was established in 2016 with students and the general public in mind.
"We do get a lot of students that come out," Engelman told CBS Austin. "We present that to them - that we have a good, low-cost option to fill out their living spaces with good quality products."
The store employs a unique "Dutch auction" pricing structure. Items start at full price and are reduced by 25% each month they remain unsold, potentially reaching as low as $1.
All items are sourced from university departments that no longer need them, promoting sustainability through reuse. The store also offers employment and research opportunities for students interested in zero waste initiatives.
As the fall semester began on August 26, the store anticipates increased student traffic, though Engelman noted they remain busy year-round.