Western Worn Community Closet

Amount Awarded: $5,000.00 

Academic Year: 2023-2024 

Implementation: Active, Winter 2024 – present

This project's purpose is to address limited access to inclusive and affordable clothing for the Western community and combat the waste that is a result of the fast-fashion clothing industry. This closet serves Western’s community as a reliable resource and will contribute to creating a circular economy on campus. The goal is to provide easier access for folks to find clothing that fits their needs and interests, all while reducing the amount of fabric that ends up in landfills. All the clothing racks in the closet are designed to be mobile, so pop-up events in other areas on campus (such as Red Square during Earth Week) are possible. 

A student team created two community closets on campus – the first closet is in the Sustainability Engagement Institute, in High Street Hall, and has all sorts of second-hand clothing that has been donated by the campus community. The second closet is located within the WHOLE pantry in the Viking Union; this location is much smaller and focuses on supplying basic necessities like undergarments and socks (all new).