It’s our planet—let’s show it the love it deserves! In honor of Sustainability Month, we’re highlighting some resources, initiatives, organizations and events here on campus that eliminate waste and support an environmentally-conscious lifestyle. 

Office supply swap 

Whether you need a new notebook or accidentally bought too many, you’re encouraged to check out Temple’s office supply swap! Located on the lower level of the Howard Gittis Student Center, this ongoing swap table is a great place to find everyday school supplies without having to buy something new. You can also drop off extra pencils, paper or anything else you have to save it from the landfill! 

Temple Thrift 

Sustainability meets Temple’s status as the second-most fashionable campus in the country during Temple Thrift! Each spring, donations of gently used clothes are collected from students as they move out of our campus residence halls. In the fall, these clothes are sold for $1–10 to students, faculty and staff. All proceeds from this sustainable shopping spree benefit Cherry Pantry, Temple’s student food bank dedicated to fighting food insecurity on campus. To donate clothes, look for the bins in your residence hall at the end of the academic year! 

EcoReps 

The minds behind Temple Thrift? That would be the EcoReps! These are students who put their passion for sustainability and the environment to work through excursions and projects like refurbished bike sales, waste pickup, workshops (every Monday!) and more. Interested in joining? Head to their Owl Connect page to fill out an interest form and get started. It’s open to students in any major! 

Thrift and Flop 

Calling all creatives and thrifting enthusiasts! This award-winning student org is known for upcycling old clothes into stylish treasures. Check out their Instagram for updates on events like clothing swaps and fashion shows. Contact them there or via Owl Connect to learn more and join. 

Free food Slack channel 

There’s nothing quite like Owls working together to reduce food waste and feed each other. The free food Slack channel, which any student can join, is a hub for students, faculty and staff to keep each other in the know about free food on campus.  

For example, say your student org ordered 10 pizzas for an event, but only eight of the pizzas ended up being eaten. Instead of throwing those leftover slices in the trash, you can  send a message to the Slack channel so that students know they can come and get it for free. Join to stay up to date—you never know when or where free food will turn up! 

Sustainability month activities 

Temple’s Office of Sustainability has lots of events planned this month in celebration of Sustainability Month, from bike rides to volunteer opportunities to workshops on slow fashion and climate resiliency.  

One of the coolest events they’re having is a secondhand bike sale on Oct. 30. There, bikes will be for sale that were abandoned on campus and then fixed up by the Office of Sustainability. Get your sustainable ride in a sustainable way!