[SustainableTompkins] Campus-community collaboration sought

[Wendy Skinner]

Community member seeks to team with campus group, class, or individuals on "Greening the T" sustainability project: Many campus groups promote their organizations and events with t-shirt giveaways or sales. From my observation at the annual Dump and Run reuse sale, many of these shirts are discarded -- some never having been worn -- adding to the glut of second-hand clothing that eventually goes to landfills* or is shipped to needier countries where it is not necessarily welcome**. 

The ubiquitous t-shirt, usually made of conventional cotton -- which requires the highest chemical pesticide use of all agricultural crops -- is useful in demonstrating product life cycle and the continuing consequences of what seems to be a harmless purchase. By calling attention to the problems with t-shirts, it is possible to promote a more responsible attitude toward the consumption and care of all clothing. 

"Greening the T" could encompass 1.) campus-specific research, e.g. how many campus groups typically order t-shirts, what are they made of and under what labor conditions, how many are left over and in need of responsible disposal, etc.?); 2.) t-shirt industry research, e.g. cradle to grave environmental impact, global economic consequences***; 3.) problem definition and proposed solutions for more sustainable and earth-friendly alternatives, such as establishing a central reuse depot for "volunteer" and "staff" imprinted shirts; ordering organic, fair trade shirts and accepting returns of unwanted shirts that are designed to be used year after year, etc.; 4.) outreach, e.g. educational messages to groups explaining the downside of t-shirts and offering ideas for alternatives.

As a townsperson, I am active in the Ithaca-area sustainability movement, with a focus on ethical fashion, sustainable sewing, and clothing reuse and refashioning. I have organized two refashion design contests, and several ecofashion shows in the community. A third reuse fashion design event is in the works for 2008 that will encourage reuse of -- no surprise -- t-shirts!

My contribution to a town-gown collaboration can include promotion and community education, help coordinating and organizing events, attending project meetings, and sharing enthusiasm, leads, and ideas about community-campus efforts to promote a more sustainable attitude toward apparel consumption and reuse. I have a small amount of funding from the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division to support my participation. I'm open to many different approaches and hope to learn from you. Anyone interested?

Wendy Skinner, ws at twcny.rr.com, 607-277-7611
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* According to a 2005 EPA report, about 11 million tons of textiles, mostly discarded clothing, enters the municipal solid waste stream in the US annually. Only 18 percent of clothing and textiles were retrieved from the waste stream in 2005 for recycling or reuse, leaving 9.4 million tons in landfills. 
** In April 2007, Bolivia became the 32nd country to ban or limit imports of used clothing, to protect indigenous clothing industries. "'No' to Hand-me-downs," Dan Keane, Associated Press, July 18, 2007.
***  a complex topic, intriguingly addressed in Pietra Rivoli's book, The Travels of a T-shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade. Wiley, 2005.