November 18, 2021
The Associated Students Environmental Resource Center hosted a purchase-free clothing swap in the Cesar Chavez Student Center on Nov. 17, in an effort to combat environmental issues such as clothing waste and fast fashion.
In partnership with the Associated Students Queer and Trans Resource Center, the ERC set up tables and racks full of donated clothing, shoes and accessories that students were welcome to browse and take from — free of charge.
“The goal of the clothing swap is to essentially save clothing from landfills because as you can see, mass consumerism has left a lot of clothing in landfills which has a detriment on the environment,” Nichole Dodson, sustainable initiatives coordinator for the ERC, said.
The ERC’s mission centers around educating the campus about environmentalism as well as its intersection with social justice. It aims to host events that teach students how they can get involved and adapt more sustainable life habits, according to its website.
Clothing swaps are regularly scheduled throughout the semester, the last being on Dec. 1.
“I think these types of events are small steps for students to consider sustainability and environmentalism.” Nancy Lomeli, director for the ERC, said. “Just for this event in particular, people throw away their clothes, they don’t really know donation is a thing so this is just an outlet and it’s to help really go full circle with helping communities.”
Larissa Trillo, a first-year student majoring in business marketing, picks up some items at the clothing swap hosted by the Associated Students Environmental Resource Center and Queer and Trans Resource Center in the Cesar Chavez Student Center on Nov. 17. Students were encouraged to take as many items as they wanted, as a way to shop sustainably and reduce clothing waste. (Morgan Ellis / Golden Gate Xpress)
A detail image showing some of the clothing up for grabs at the clothing swap hosted by the Associated Students Environmental Resource Center and Queer and Trans Resource Center in the Cesar Chavez Student Center on Nov. 17. The ERC was also accepting donations during the time that the event was taking place, keeping the inventory plentiful. (Morgan Ellis / Golden Gate Xpress)
Kaz Davila, a first-year marine biology major, looks through items at the clothing swap hosted by the Associated Students Environmental Resource Center (ERC) in the Cesar Chavez Student Center on Nov. 17. The inventory available was fully donated by the campus community, and available to students free of charge. (Morgan Ellis / Golden Gate Xpress)
A student combs through a rack of clothing at the clothing swap hosted by the Associated Students Environmental Resource Center and Queer and Trans Resource Center in the Cesar Chavez Student Center on Nov. 17. Members of the campus community donated all the items to help reduce the likelihood that they would otherwise end up in a landfill. (Morgan Ellis / Golden Gate Xpress)
