From dumpster diving to digital infrastructure.
We built the platform we wish we had when we were running our own move-out program. Here is how it started.
The Dumpster Dive.
In 2022, Founder JJ Flores went dumpster diving as a freshman at USC during move-out. Born and raised in South LA, they couldn't believe how bin after bin, filled with fans, bedding, clothing, and more, was picked up by the dumpster truck and taken to the landfill.
They gathered some friends and collected as much as they could out of there to donate it to local organizations and community members. At this point, JJ, like a lot of people, thought that if only there were better relationships with external partners like Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity, we could address this crisis!
They gathered some friends and collected as much as they could out of there to donate it to local organizations and community members. At this point, JJ, like a lot of people, thought that if only there were better relationships with external partners like Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity, we could address this crisis!
Breaking the Donation Cycle.
After a year of working with the university to figure out how to get better donations, they realized something. If we just keep donating our things every year, the cycle of overconsumption never really ends—students just buy new every year to "donate the guilt away" during move out.
They realized a move-out to move-in program was the answer, so that winter, they piloted their idea.
They realized a move-out to move-in program was the answer, so that winter, they piloted their idea.
EcoDorm is Born.
The pilot went viral. EcoDorm LLC was established, and it marked USC's first time partnering with a student company for a major initiative. We ran a full-scale move-out to move-in program, collecting 16,394 lbs (8.2 tons) from 22 buildings in 15 days, and then sold it back to students.
Solving the systemic solution's systemic problems.
We established a partnership with the California Center for Climate Change Education, allowing us to hire students to help on this mission every year since. Our sights grew beyond USC and we realized there were systemic issues preventing schools across the country from adopting dorm reuse programs.
So, we set to work creating educational resources like our business plan calculator, our database of move-out programs, and began working on a project that would change everything.
So, we set to work creating educational resources like our business plan calculator, our database of move-out programs, and began working on a project that would change everything.
Enter ReDorm
We launched the exact digital platform we wish we would've had and transitioned to ReDorm Inc., a 501(c)(3) dedicated to advancing dorm reuse across the country.
Now, we're working to make dorm reuse mainstream, to disrupt the wasteful status quo, and save students and colleges millions.
Will you join us?
Get to know our team—more importantly, bring ReDorm to your campus today.
Board of Directors
JJ Flores
Board Member
Jose Guzman-Wug
Board Member
Tanya Casillas-Castro
Board Member
Ali Zarenezhad
Board Member