Iowa City’s 13th Rummage in the Ramp sets records

IOWA CITY - This year's Rummage in the Ramp set records by raising $21,000 and diverting more than 32 tons of used furniture and other items from the landfill.

More than 800 residents donated possessions they no longer wanted to the annual sale, which was held in the Chauncey Swan parking ramp from July 25 to Aug. 3.

According to the city, the event was staffed by 'environmental, human services, faith-based and student organizations and nonprofit groups,” which split the profits. Most of the items ranged from $1 to $20. Thirty-one groups volunteered this year.

Among the items sold:

' 392 office, dining or outdoor chairs

' 267 boxes of clothing

' 246 bookshelves, dressers or entertainment centers

' 184 coffee or end tables

' 157 small appliances

' 115 boxes of books

' 115 upholstered chairs

' 106 couches

' 67 desks

' 50 large tables

Rummage in the Ramp was launched by the city in 2007 to keep reusable couches, tables, chairs and other items from going to the landfill when leases expire at the end of July.

Over 13 years, the sale has diverted more than 320 tons of items from the landfill, according to the city.

About 30,000 people have bought items, more than 2,500 volunteers have worked the event, and more than $208,000 has been raised, the city said.

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