(Photographed by Staff Writer Noel Eckert)

Staff Writers: Maya Pontes, Noel Eckert

Email: mpontes4@umassd.edu, neckert@umassd.edu

It can be an uphill battle trying to create a less wasteful and more sustainable campus environment. At a glance, most are generally aware of the need to “reduce, reuse, and recycle,” but putting these ideals into practice is easier said than done.

One area in which this manifests is our wardrobes. After all, what is to be done when we just aren’t feeling our old threads anymore and must part ways with them?

Well, one person’s trash is another’s treasure; and a recent event hosted by MASSPIRG allowed UMass Dartmouth students to not only satisfy the frugal fashionista in them, but their inner artist.

MASSPIRG is a student-funded advocacy group led by students, and supporting students on campus. They run several campaigns focused on environmental advocacy, affordable education, and civic engagement. The group works to inform students about these issues and mobilize people to drive change. 

Focusing on what students can do at a peer-to-peer level can be one of the most effective ways to do this. Hosting educational events where students learn firsthand how to make a difference can encompass a variety of activities. This clothing upcycling event using bleach dye was hosted by the Waste Is Out of Fashion campaign.

“Upcycling” is the practice of taking discarded or seemingly unwanted objects and repurposing them. Thus, a new lease of life is given; and while recycling is a rigorous and complicated procedure involving the breaking down and total reshaping of consumer goods from their base materials, upcycling is comparatively simple and accessible.

This particular event allowed students to stop by the Woodland Commons building anytime from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., pick a clothing item of their choice, and decorate it as they see fit using bleach.

At this event, multiple artworks across more than one canvas is permitted and even encouraged. After all, the goal is to upcycle as much as possible.

Why does this matter? Simply put, clothing waste is a problem. This is especially true with the rise of fast fashion, where trends dictate production and companies produce large amounts of cheaply made clothing as quickly as possible, sell it in bulk, and discard it soon after. The environmental impact of this business model stacks up.

Each year, an average of 30 billion new garments are burned without being sold or worn, significantly impacting our climate. Clothes that aren’t burned end up in landfills, leading to 92 million tons of waste each year. This not only pollutes our air, with the fashion industry responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, but also litters our oceans with 9% of annual microplastic pollution. 

This MASSPIRG event offered an alternative to that, or even the more common practice of simply thrifting one’s clothes.

Allowing people to not only pick and choose used articles of clothing (free of charge, no less) but also decorate and personalize them gives participants more than a snazzy new outfit. It imbues a memorable experience and a sense of attachment that would make anyone think twice about tossing their one-of-a-kind shirt, skirt, or other clothing item to the incinerator.

Waste is Out of Fashion works to empower students to make more sustainable choices and raises awareness of this fast-growing stream of waste. 

When they aren’t crafting a new stylish fit, you can find them petitioning companies to adopt a waste-free production line, hosting clothing swaps, or surveying students about why they think this issue matters. 

At the end of the day, their goal is to teach students that sustainable fashion doesn’t have to be difficult. Small changes can lead to more conscious clothing consumption, and although it may seem small at the individual level, it adds up! 

The best part? It’s fun! As the event wrapped up, students left asking to do it again. It is easy to imagine that the people who make change are those organizing a press conference, lobbying at a statehouse, or even attending a protest. It is not so common to think you can make a change by hanging out with friends and crafting your new favorite shirt, but that is one less shirt in a landfill this year, creating a whole lot of hope for tomorrow. 

Find more information on MASSPIRG on their Instagram: @umassdpirg