The cherry blossoms are in bloom, and spring cleaning is in full effect. Some opt for a lawn clothing sale, others put up flyers advertising a pair of used boots. And the rest of us use the free bin system: a cardboard box on each Bryn Mawr dorm floor to discard unwanted items and for other students to take as they please. While the box is intended for gently used clothing or school supplies, you might just get lucky and find that special item that begs the question: who the f**k put this in here? So here’s a list of some of those special things that have really ended up in a Bryn Mawr free bin..
As students anticipate their upcoming move-out, I have noticed an uptick in more unusual items. Here’s a list of my top 10 favorites:
- A half-empty bottle of Tito’s vodka
A bit late for dry January…Insanely concerning how quickly it was taken, I guess it’s a good thing alcohol kills germs?
- Customized, engraved Bible
Seems like a memento one would want to hold onto, even if they’ve decided Catholicism’s not for them. On the other hand, I get it…it’s a big book!
- Tail
Hmm…probably from Hell Week…or not. Plenty of people are into that sort of thing around here (and that’s okay with us). It also makes sense given the economic state of the world. College Butler fees are way too high to be packing up every tutu, tail, leash, can of silly string, etc.
- Unlimited rides SEPTA key card
I guess free public transportation doesn’t spark joy!
- Microeconomics textbook
I hope this student is aware of the Bryn Mawr College Bookstore’s book buy-back program. You could get 25 cents for that!
- Plastic bag of dead batteries
I only knew they were dead because I tried them all and that’s 8 minutes of my life I will never get back. Also, the trash can was two feet away.
- Winter coat
Might be good to keep that around…like, for next winter.
- A stick (fresh off a tree)
Super cool! Personally, I also love nature, though the stick is very much in the way of anyone trying to look through the bin and definitely belongs outside. Hey, I appreciate the beauty of nature just as much as the next person, and while it did have an artistically organic shape to it…it is still just a stick. From a tree.
- Loewe blanket
Free bin turned European luxury consignment. Money talks, the free bin whispers…
- American flag (correctly folded)
Super super odd. This is not normal.
And the best part…there is so much more to come. I can’t wait to stand with the rest of the Bryn Mawr community this move-out season as we collectively ask: who the hell put that in there?
