Last month, students from the Earth Task Force at New Vista High School in Boulder, CO hosted a clothing swap. The purpose of the event was to encourage peers and staff to pursue their fashion interests in a more eco-friendly manner. Due to the money and materials that are invested in the purchase of new clothing, shopping encourages disposable consumerism that harms the planet and exhausts buyer’s budgets. For example, 41% of teenage girls bought 10 or more items of clothing within six months in 2012 (source). This is only a demographic for a young female population, so one can imagine the scale of shopping effects in general. ETF hosted a clothing swap to save resources in a fun and cost free way. ETF members filmed a humorous advertisement to catch the attention of the school’s population, then moved on to setting up the event. It was hosted in New Vista’s gym, where tables were arranged and a clothing line was strung between them. The ambiance was positive and lively, about 30 students walked away with new digs, which didn’t detrimentally affect the environment.

About Earth Task Force: The Earth Task Force (ETF) is a Cottonwood Institute supported program at New Vista High School in Boulder, CO designed to give students an opportunity to take the lead to implement sustainability initiatives at their school.

Written by: Cassidy Lam & Juliet Luna