Rowan Environmental Action League promotes sustainable fashion through Prof Swap event

While going for a trip to the mall is fun and a way to purchase the newest trendy pieces on social media, it’s also the product of overconsumption. For students, shopping secondhand saves them more money each year, and helps support the environment. 

For Rowan students, as part of the Rowan Environmental Action League’s (REAL) efforts to spread awareness of climate change, it has become more convenient to obtain clothing pieces at no cost. REAL hosted Prof Swap, an event held multiple times by the organization to allow students to donate clothes and exchange them for other pieces. 

The event was held in the Chamberlain Student Center in the pit on March 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Students at the door were allowed to obtain one item once checked in, and if they brought donations, it allowed them more tickets to get more donated items. 

Mazie Mulford is the treasurer for REAL, who helped organize this year’s Prof Swap. It has been a recurring event that a former student started, and has since continued. 

“A large amount of clothing that gets donated to places like Goodwill or other thrift stores actually gets thrown out or incinerated. It ends up in landfills at a large rate,” said Mulford. “We wanted an opportunity for students to be able to kind of collect items that maybe they don’t use much anymore, or, you know, are gently used, and allow them to just exchange it with clothing that other people have donated.” 

There were various tables for certain types of clothing from denim to professional pieces, shirts, shoes, and even books. There were various styles and sizes, and all were in good condition for other students to wear. It reinforces the idea of not overconsuming by purchasing trending pieces on TikTok or Instagram, and instead giving items a second life. 

“A lot of people have so many clothes…we’re in the kind of society where buying a lot of stuff is promoted and pushed. So it lets you think about how much you need versus how much you have. And then it also allows you to just see a lot of this stuff is really good quality,” said Mulford. 

According to an article from State of Matter, the fashion industry contributes to not just an increase in landfill waste but also is responsible for 20% of the world’s wastewater. More than 11.3 million tons of textile waste from clothing end up in U.S. landfills every year. For REAL, efforts to introduce students to the benefits of secondhand shopping is a sustainability goal of the organization. 

Along with promoting environmentally friendly shopping, REAL also promoted accessibility at this event since some college students do not have cars to travel to the mall or clothing stores. Amity Wren-Briggs is a member of the club and attended Prof Swap. 

“I mean, just with the physical location, choosing the student center was pretty important. Before we’ve done the Business Hall, and, it was a great location, but it’s also pretty far off for a lot of students,” said Wren-Briggs. “So by going with the student center that provided a more central location so more students can hopefully make use of what we have here.” 

She also sees a benefit of secondhand shopping for college students and the younger generation as it helps decrease their involvement in fast fashion. Fast fashion is known as the rapid production and distribution of trendy clothing from social media or runways for a low price. 

“It really helps some young folks out in that regard, and also helps promote setting good habits by fighting against fast fashion, and things of that nature,” said Wren-Briggs. 

REAL continues to host events throughout the semester to promote sustainability and bring awareness to Rowan students regardless of their major on the importance of the environment. 

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