Housing is partnering with the Repurposing Club to launch a clothes drive to limit waste.
While students are moving out, there will be bins provided for them to donate their unwanted items.
Bins will be on every floor in every building, said Michael Burns, director of housing and residence life.
“We put boxes on each floor for people to donate food products that are unopened and can be shelved, clothes and cleaning supplies, and then we donate that to a local charity,” Burns said.
This event was done before. Last year, students donated over 1,000 pounds of clothes, Burns said.
“Whatever you don’t need and whatever you’re not moving out with can actually go to someone who needs it,” said Ken Williams, chemistry/math senior and founder of the Repurposing Club.
The Repurposing Club is an organization that works to make campus more environmentally-friendly.
Williams said he hopes the Repurposing Club can collaborate with other campus organizations to make their events more environmentally-friendly and help get the campus involved in green initiatives. This is their first event as an organization.
“Hopefully, it brings people together to serve the campus community by bringing environmental issues to the forefront,” Williams said.
Williams has been in communication with housing officials about the recycling bill (SB-023), which was recently passed at the Senate meeting April 26, allowing for the placement of 204 recycling bins in United Methodist Hall.
The bill passed for $796.80 after being approved once in Senate, vetoed by former SGA President Nic Rhodes, introduced again in Senate, adjusted, and then approved by SGA President Randy Gipson-Black.
Williams collaborated with Burns for the establishment of protocol on this bill.
Williams asked Burns if help was needed with the clothes drive, which is how the Repurposing Club became involved.
Members and volunteers will empty boxes while students move out.
“We’re just providing a little extra help for someone who’s doing something we believe in,” Williams said.
Student can get involved by contacting either Williams or Burns or by joining the Repurposing Club’s Facebook group “OCU Repurposing Club.”
Williams said it’s important that people focus on environmental issues on a local level.
“Really, all that you can control is what’s going on around you,” Williams said. “I hope that people become proactive about issues.”
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