Iowa City’s Rummage in the Ramp sets records

The fourth annual “Rummage in the Ramp” set a number of records, including diverting 28.2 tons of household items from the landfill.

The city-sponsored event sells donated items that likely would have otherwise been thrown away. This year's haul was 4.2 tons more than the previous record, set last year.

Rummage in the Ramp also set records this year in the number of donors (648), shoppers (2,124), volunteers (215) and sales ($15,202), according to a news release. The profits will be split among 28 nonprofit organizations that had employees staff the sale.

By comparison, the first Rummage in the Ramp, held in 2007, brought in 20 tons of donations and $4,090.

This year, most items were sold for less than $20 and included furniture, lamps, cookware, clothing, exercise equipment, books and even a hair salon sink, according to the city.

The sale is timed to coincide with when college students move as their apartment leases end, and this year's lasted from July 25 to Aug. 2.

Sponsors making cash donations were ECO Iowa City, Her Soup Kitchen, Hy-Vee and New Pioneer Co-op. In-kind donations came from Aero Rental and Party Shoppe, Kaplan Test Prep, KCJJ 1630, KRUI 89.7, AM-800 KXIC, Old Capitol Screen Printers and the University of Iowa Office of Sustainability.