CREDIT: MELISSA NOVACASKA
Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) Student Life Co-ordinator Kate Morris is spearheading this year's clothing swap on campus. The event allows students to be sustainable while also finding new outfits to add to their wardrobe.

The Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) is back again helping students find new outfits while being environmentally conscious with a clothing swap on Oct. 17.

The swap runs the same week as “Waste Reduction” week in Canada and during the FSU’s Sustainability and Waste Reduction Week (Oct. 16 to 20).

Now in its second year, the clothing swap was originally created last year by Student Administrative Council (SAC) member now called FSU director, Madelyn Allen. This year FSU’s Student Life Co-ordinator, Kate Morris, is spearheading the event.

Morris said Allen is “very passionate about sustainability” and that last year’s event was a success and hopes this year will be as well.

The idea behind the swap is quite simple.

According to Morris, the event will take place in Forwell Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the premise of it being students bringing in gently used, clean clothing that they do not want anymore and will receive a ticket for the amount of clothing they bring. For example, if a student brings in five items, they will get a ticket to pick five new items to call their own. Students can drop off their items prior to the event also in Forwell Hall on Oct. 12, 13 and 16 also from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any leftovers from the swap will be donated, Morris said.

“We’re trying to create a great opportunity for students to exchange some clothes and it saves you a trip to the store and spending your hard earned money,” Morris said. “The time is now and it is. It’s very important to be sustainable and be aware of your carbon footprint and learn what you can do to help save your little part of the world.

According to Morris, the swap is also a great opportunity to network and to focus on sustainability and what Fanshawe students can do to help save the environment. This is also a great event to get rid of any clothing that might be collecting dust in your closet, but can be of use to another student.

Morris herself took part in the swap last year and was able to find some items to wear.

“We’re students right, we’re trying just to make it though and school is expensive as great as education is, so this way it gives opportunities for students just to save some money and get out there and use, because you know the saying ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’,” Morris said. “Last year I found some great items that somebody else didn’t want, but hey, no shame in it. Wear them, wash them, wear them and its perfect, so it’s really important that we give students the opportunity.”

Morris said though this event is part purging and part decluttering, it can help students who want to get new clothing, but may not be able to afford it. It’s also always neat to see what people do with the clothes they get and how they style their new outfits.

Though the clothing swap is a fun event, Morris does have a message for students about the event as a whole.

“I hope people realize [to] just upcycle and always recycle. You can donate your clothes, there are so many people who need them whether you know it or not,” Morris said. “I think that’s super important especially for sustainability, it goes beyond just the environment which is a huge part of it, but it’s instead of just throwing all your clothes out, somebody can use that, that’s being sustainable. Giving it to someone else who needs it.”

FSU Finance Co-ordinator, Lisa Elliott, who also plans to help out during the event, sees a financial benefit to the clothing swap.

“We know that we’re all trying to save money in all aspects of things and we seem to buy clothing that we don’t need at times. Sometimes you buy something [and] you don’t ever wear it so it is a good way for you to not spend money to get more clothing, you can actually trade and exchange which is really what you do with your money, so this a way to save your money and still have new clothing to wear,” Elliott said.

Elliott also pointed out that the swap is a good way for students from different climates to share some of their clothing and in exchange get some new clothing for the upcoming colder months.

“I think it’s an excellent event, I hope that it really works out. I’ve been telling friends about it because you do want a lot of people to participate. It’s going to be great. People are going to attend. I know people will definitely appreciate it [and] from a financial aspect, it’s a good save on money.”