The students at Memorial University of Newfoundland have started a thrift shop operated by students to promote sustainability by reducing waste and supporting the campus community. The thrift shop helps fund university initiatives while encouraging eco-friendly practices.

The founder of the thrift shop, Margarita Conway, noticed that the students left anything that couldn’t fit in their suitcase while moving out. There was no donation system in place, so an abundance of gently used clothing landed in the campus garbage bins. In 2018, Margarita started going house to house to collect used items and reallocate them to those in need. In 2022, Margarita, Kaitlyn Menchions, and Ryan Wall founded a student group with the Faculty of Education & Dr. Dorothy Vaandering to create a sustainable system to reallocate clothing and other items to other students in need.

The group was later renamed “Students First,” which now runs the thrift shop located in MUN’s former science building on the St. John’s campus. The thrift shop offers clothing, bedding, kitchenware, and more. The money raised also goes back into the student body. A Yard Sale is organized each April for students on campus, which raised $3,000 last year.

Students are embracing thrifting for its sustainability and affordability. The thrift shop works on a pay-what-you-can model and has nearly doubled participation and funds raised. Founder Margarita Conway says students, despite financial struggles, give back because they know the money directly supports their peers and the community.

Source: CBC