RU Thrifty combats fast fashion, 1 pop-up store after another

With so many complicated issues facing our world today, it can be challenging to see what we as individuals can do to combat the issues of fast fashion and climate change.

Yet, the RU Thrifty and Rutgers University Programming Association (RUPA) Fall Pop-Up thrift store on November 12 served as a reminder that together, we can make eco-friendly choices that make a difference — and have a fun time while doing it.  

The Fall Pop-Up thrift store went above and beyond what's expected from a thrifting experience. Not only could students get up to four articles of clothing, six if they brought a donation, but they could also utilize a jewelry-making station and a photo booth. RUPA members were in attendance to answer questions and give information on upcoming events.

RU Thrifty is a club dedicated to "thrifting" and all things second-hand and sustainable. They host events like the pop-up thrift store and run trips to secondhand stores. Most notably, they take members to New York City for an unforgettable thrifting experience.

Alongside other Rutgers sustainability clubs, RU Thrifty works to end fast fashion and non-sustainable behavior in the surrounding communities.

Fast fashion is how organizations mass-produce clothes that maximize profit, but ignore issues of sustainability and ethical practices, or longevity of the garment. Fast fashion clothes are often made to meet the needs of specific trends in the cheapest way possible for the consumer. Brands known for using fast fashion techniques create their clothes out of the most affordable material they can, which is often non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment.

Since these clothes are often made out of cheap material and based on quick-moving trends that fall out of style, they end up in landfills at alarming rates. These clothes are mass-produced by underpaid workers, which makes partaking in the fast fashion economy a climate and workers' rights issue. 

Zac Task, a School of Arts and Sciences junior and a member of RU Thrifty, explained that combating fast fashion starts from the ground up.

"While thrifting is a great band-aid for fast fashion, it's not the solution, because 90 percent of clothes that end up in a thrift store, end up in a landfill, as well. So we're trying to end that cycle," he said.

In concurrence with this idea, RU Thrifty doesn't throw out any of the clothes that are donated to them. All of it circulates back into the community, and when they have too much in storage, they clear out their inventory with pop-up events like this one.

Thrifting is just one way the Rutgers community can work to fight fast fashion. Students can also learn more about what they can do by attending the Sustainability Fair and Fashion Show on December 10 in the Douglass Student Center. Many clubs, including the hosts, RU Thrifty, will be participating.

The fashion show is a tradition for the RU Thrifty club, with one occurring at least each semester. Models debut the clothes that are created and showcase how you can have a positive impact on the environment and still look great.

"It's overall just about bringing the sustainability clubs on campus together and providing a good networking opportunity for them, as well as for students who are interested in sustainability," said Task.

RU Thrifty has been a loud advocate for the community, but it isn't the only club working to give back to the people.

RUPA member Chih-Hsueh Hsieh, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, was one of the many members at the pop-up thrift store and spoke about the event's importance to the greater New Brunswick area. Realizing the power of thrifting, the collaboration was a natural fit, especially with the holiday season on the horizon.

"We wanted to give back to (the) children ... whose parents might not have funds for gifts," he said.

For anyone interested in helping those in need, you can donate money or a gift from RUPA's Amazon Wishlist. Interested students should also attend the organization's annual gift-wrapping party.

Whether you decide to donate or not, the efforts by RUPA and RU Thrifty demonstrate the impact that students and community members can make through fun, engaging events like these.