With the increase in clothing waste, thrifting and sustainable consumption have gained popularity among Gen-Z, becoming a $28 billion industry, according to NPR. Amid this rising trend unfolds the Better2Thrift club, driven by its mission to fight fast fashion and promote a positive environmental impact.
“I think the environment is something we should really hold dear to us,” president and junior Kiyahn Rastavan said. “I have stuff that I thrifted back in freshman year that still lasts. So, [thrifting] is a practice that is very environmentally friendly, and I think the world needs something that will support the environment.”
The club plans to hold bi-weekly meetings to educate members on upcycling clothes, recommend thrift shops and host monthly thrift sales featuring upcycled and vintage pieces. Sixty percent of the profits will be donated to clothing organizations like the Salvation Army, according to Ravstavan.
“The Better2Thrift club is a place where people can learn about fast fashion, the environment and what clothes do,” social media director and junior Michael Shell said. “It’s also a place where we can come together, hang out, have fun and buy some clothes.”
However, the road to becoming a club was not always smooth sailing, according to vice president and junior Farouk Merzougui. The biggest challenge was bringing the idea to life, as both he and others doubted their proposal would be accepted after missing the initial deadline for club applications the previous school year. Despite rough beginnings, the board remains optimistic for the future, particularly after a turnout of around 50 people at their first meeting on Nov. 8.
“We just love the energy there,” Merzougui said. “There’s a lot of discussion about what we are, what’s going to happen, like our practices and sales because our sales are going to be a big thing.”
In the future, the Better2Thrift club aims to differentiate itself from other on-campus clubs, introducing initiatives such as giveaways, pop-up shops and guest speakers to foster engagement and impact within their club.
“We want [our members] to go out into the world, get their own thrifting sense and get their own used clothes, go to their own sales and stuff like that,” Rastvan said. “And maybe one day they do the same and promote it to other people. So I feel like, even though we’re slowly starting it, I hope we have a domino effect with the people.”
