No Tricks—Just Treat Yourself at the Thrift Den | Office of Sustainability | Institute of the Environment and Energy

Campus Spotlight by Mya Bynoe, Sustainability Intern

Halloween is next week, and if you’re still figuring out what to wear, you’re not alone. There’s still time to get creative—but before you rush to order a costume, consider what happens when the parties end. Americans are expected to spend a baffling $4.4 billion on Halloween costumes this year.¹That’s a frightening price tag, especially considering that nearly 40% respondents in a 2019 U.S survey only wear their Halloween costumes once.² Besides putting your wallet in an early grave, this seasonal purchasing can haunt the planet long after Halloween. It’s part of a larger waste problem—every year millions of tons of textiles end up in U.S landfills, according to the EPA.³ Luckily, a more affordable, sustainable costume might be waiting for you right here on campus.

The Thrift Den has two treats that just emerged from the crypt. As a circular initiative on campus designed around accessibility, the Thrift Den empowers students’ ability to engage in sustainable fashion and reduce waste around campus. All clothing donations come from the UConn community, mainly through donation bins located in residential areas. Members of the UConn community can then ‘shop’ for one free item a week. Now through the end of October, the Thrift Den will have Halloween-themed items and costume items available, helping you to have a cost-friendly, circular Halloweekend whether it be a full costume, an accessory, or another fall-item on display.

Want to create, or already have something you’d like to wear? Give a ghost a new life at the Thrift Den’s Halloween-themed upcycling sewing workshop! To help extend the life of clothing items, the Thrift Den hosts sewing workshops and sewing hours to give students the skills, and resources to steward their clothing. In this upcoming upcycling sewing workshop October 26th, students can mend and create with their own items, or provided items, that can transform their outfit.

When the party ends and November rolls around, think of donating your gently used, out-of-season items to the Thrift Den to keep the cycle going. From Halloween season to move-out day and all the times in between, the Thrift Den is here as a step towards waste reduction and sustainability, stretching from campus all the way to your closet. Close the loop and give your clothes another life.

Questions?

Visit the Thrift Den on Instagram @uconnthriftden or visit at room 001 in the basement of the Family Studies Building Wednesday – Friday 4-6pm

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