Jackets have just moved in for the fall and are now looking for fun, trendy finds to fill their wardrobes. But as many college students know, funds run tight as the year stretches on and tuition piles up. Thankfully for students’ pockets, a free thrift store called Green Goodbyes has opened up in Tech Square to bring new, thrifty vibes and trending looks.
Right above the Barnes & Noble in Tech Square, students can find Green Goodbyes, the new thrift store on campus. Students can visit Green Goodbyes from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Students can visit the store once daily, with a limit of 8 students at a time. Per visit, students are limited to one large appliance or furniture item, six household items, 6 pieces of clothing and 4 miscellaneous items. This limitation is also subject to change based on inventory availability.
Many college students can agree that the main selling point of Green Goodbyes is that all their clothing is completely free. Students can pick out their items, scan their BuzzCard and then walk out with their purchase. It’s as simple as that!
Julie Birchfield, Director of Community Engagement, said students moving out of dorms every year find it bothersome and awkward to pack up and move every item from their dorm rooms. Alternatively, shipping furniture across the country or overseas may be unaffordable. Some students find throwing these unwanted items in the garbage more convenient, causing unnecessary waste.
Green Goodbyes offers an alternative to this wasteful process. Students have the option to donate their items to Green Goodbyes, where they will be repurposed and redistributed to students in a fun thrift store format.
To donate, all students need to do is bring their goods to Green Goodbyes. For large donations, such as bulk donations or big furniture, students can contact Julie Birchfield at [email protected].
Green Goodbyes does not currently take bedding in-store. However, bedding is donated to pet shelters. Likewise, food items are also not taken in-store. All non-perishable foods are donated to Klemis Kitchen, the food bank on campus.
Don’t want to bring your items all the way to the store? During move-out periods, Green Goodbyes provides donation bins for students to easily access. This perk offers students the same level of convenience as throwing items in the dumpster or garbage without the waste.
Birchfield says Green Goodbyes aims to reduce wasteful consumerism by recycling and reusing items that may have normally been thrown out. These items include furniture like shelves or chairs and appliances like microwaves, kettles and mini-fridges.
Green Goodbyes offers a wide selection of clothing items as well. The variety on the rack shifts through donations often, so fashion-forward students should check the store regularly for inspiration and seasonal fashion finds! There is no fitting room in-store, but Birchfield says students can take the item home and simply re-donate the garment if it is unsatisfactory.
For customers, thrifting is a social activity that can make for a fun hangout with friends or cute date idea. As Birchfield describes it, thrifting is like a treasure hunt. You never know what you’re going to find, and the stock changes from day to day.
Birchfield sees wasteful consumerism as a growing problem in modern culture. She said the process of excessive consumerism is so ingrained in customers’ minds that they do not even realize they are being wasteful. It is often the process that a customer has a need, they buy a product, then throw it in the trash after use.
Birchfield said that a mind-shift toward environmentalism is important in order to progress. With Tech having exceptionally creative and ambitious students, it is not a stretch to imagine a campus where repurposing products of consumerism is the norm.
For example, instead of a customer buying a new product, they could borrow it from a neighbor or friend. Alternatively, they could find this product at a thrift store or local shop instead of corporate chains.
Birchfield calls this way of thinking a “360 perspective” or looking at the big picture. It’s important to keep in mind the whole life cycle of a product, not only the part that one customer uses. A small contribution from a single person may not seem like much, but campus life can only change for the better with the contribution of the whole community.
Thrifting and recycling items can also foster strong bonds. Sharing and borrowing is one of the most honest ways that people can connect. Especially for those living in dorms, sharing rather than purchasing can be essential for new students to develop.
Jackets interested in making campus a green and sustainable home can get involved in environmentally friendly practices including re-purposing unwanted products, recycling garbage and composting food waste — preferably in the Institute’s community garden!
For students interested in bettering the community on campus, Birchfield says the community garden is planning events for students every other week. Jackets can also volunteer to help reduce food waste at Klemis Kitchen. There is no better way to help the environment than to get involved in your community and participate in volunteer-led events.