| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 36.37 |
| Liaison | Melanie Knowles |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2021 |
Kent State University
IN-48: Innovation B
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 0.50 |
Leah
Graham Outreach/Recycling Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Material Reuse
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
Kent State University has reduced the amount of materials sent to landfills while providing benefits to the local community, campus and our students. From June 2018 - July 2019 Kent State has collected 33 tons of clothing, textiles, nonperishable goods for reuse and recycling through programs including: 1) Throw N Go; 2) Fabric Scrap Recycling; 3) Career Closet 4) Winter Coat Drive; 5) Bra Recycling Drive and 6) Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center Entrance Shelter by the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design Construction Management Student Organization and 6) Student Organization Earth Month 2019 Clothing Reuse Events.
THROW N GO
2). EXECUTION OF PROGRAM
Throw N Go Throw-N-Go is Kent State University’s annual program that started in 2003 in partnership with Portage County Family and Community Services: Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. At the end of year, from spring break until move out, Kent State University residence hall students donate non-perishable food, clothes, rugs, furniture and other usable items via the Throw-N-Go program. Bins placed in designated areas in the residence halls collect donations that benefit Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center, and all items are distributed to people in need at no cost. This program also keeps quality items out of the dumpsters and reduces our landfill waste. Collection bins are also located in the KSU Alumni Center for off-campus students. Donations are close to 100,000 pounds every year. In the spring of 2019, 63,592 pounds (31.8 tons) were donated from Kent State University to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. This program is coordinated by Kent State University Residence Services and the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. Residence Services provides access, determines bin locations and communicates information to about 6,000 in about 25 locations, promotes the program; Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center provides temporary bins and takes items donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. Office of Sustainability promotes Throw N Go. The Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center offers gently used clothing, household items and appliances to families and individuals in need at absolutely no cost serves over 3,000 individuals and families every month. Kent State University donated 31.8 tons (about 15%) of the 215 tons the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center diverts from the landfill every year. In Spring 2019, about 6,000 students lived in 20 Residence Halls at the Kent State Campus. 63,592 pounds of clothing, non perishable food, furniture and appliances were donated by Kent State to the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center. Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center provided about 80 temporary 95 gallon toter collection bins for Throw N Go during move-out from spring break to the end of Spring semester. The program was promoted by Residence Services, Kent Interhall Council and the Office of Sustainability.
FABRIC SCRAP RECYCLING
Fabric Scrap Recycling Kent State University Fashion School, is consistently rated among the best fashion institutions in the U.S. and worldwide is a leader in the industry. The Fashion School began recycling fabric scraps and thread in January 2018. While unwanted clothing can be donated for reuse, Kent State sought a solution for recycling fabric scraps and threads. This program is a collaboration between Kent State Fashion School, Office of Sustainability and Ohio Mills Corporation. The Fashion School wanted to keep fabric scraps out of the landfill and professors and students collect scraps to be recycled in their classrooms. The Office of Sustainability provided Fashion School with research, logistics help, fabric scrap recycling design. Working with a local vendor in Northeast Ohio, Kent State University was able to implement fabric scrap recycling at the School of Fashion. Ohio Mills Corporation collects fabric and thread for recycling at the Kent State University Fashion School about once a week. Professors and students at the Kent State University Fashion School empty fabric scrap bins into the outdoor fabric scrap collection container. From June 1, 2018- August 1, 2019 Kent State University recycled 1440 pounds of fabric scraps.
CAREER CLOSET
Career Closet The Kent State University Women's Center, Launch Net and The Career Exploration and Development Center have partnered together and created the Career Closet in March 2017. Career Closet was started so that students could easily and affordably get the attire they need for interviews, internships and new jobs. The career closet has seen steady participation and believe that we are fulfilling a need in the community. Located in the Women's Center and at the Career Exploration and Development Center in Schwartz, the Career Closet is a place for all students for free to pick out a professional outfit for interviews and other professional affairs. From June 1, 2018- August 1, 2019, over 389 pieces of clothing to 132 visitors have been given away (which equates to about 389 pounds of clothing). From June 1 2018- August 1 2019 at the Career Closet, 43 donors gave at least 200 pieces of clothing, 10 volunteers and over 300 volunteer hours. In 2018-2019 the Career Closet has donated over 300 pounds of clothing to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage Clothing Center from items that do not fit in line with the Career Closet.
WINTER COAT DRIVE
Winter Coat Drive This program started in the Fall of 2018. Ten winter coat and clothing collection locations were placed on campus starting November 13 in conjunction to the start of Kent State University’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week. From November 13- December 14, 2018 Kent State University collected and donated 547 pounds of winter coats and clothing, which calculates to about 200 coats. Of this, 492 pounds (about 180 winter coats) was donated to the Phyllis Zumkeher Portage County Clothing Center, which makes items available to individuals in need at no cost. About 55 pounds (20 coats) were donated to The Women’s Center to create a winter warm-up stations, making winter clothing items available for free. The Kent State University Office of Sustainability, Women’s Center, Community Engaged Learning and the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center partnered together to offer the 1st winter coat drive at Kent State. Phyllils Zumkehr County Clothing Center provided and placed 10 collection bins. Kent State University Womens’ Center and the Community Engaged Learning offices helped promote this program. Logistics, promotion, collection, and donations were handled by the Office of Sustainability.
BRA RECYCLING DRIVE
Bra Recycling Drive This event reduces textiles that would have been sent to the landfill, allowing bras to be recycled or donated for reuse. Bras that are in good condition are donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center, and worn-out bras are mailed to The Bra Recyclers to be recycled and turned into wiper cloths and other textiles. In the Fall of 2018, 170 bras (24 pounds) were collected and sent for reuse and donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center and 5 bras (0.8 ponds) were mailed to the Bra Recyclers for recycling. Kent State Office of Sustainability has collaborated with the Women’s Center to offer bra recycling every October since 2012. The Women’s Center has a collection bin and promotes the event in conjunction with annual mammogram screenings. The Office of Sustainability coordinates logistics, promotes the event, and drops off donations for resuse or mails bras to be recycled to the Bra Recyclers program.
PORTAGE COUNTY CLOTHING SHELTER ENTRANCE BY CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT STUDENT ORGANIZATION
Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center Entrance Shelter by the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) Construction Management Student Organization The Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center accepts donations during their open hours: Monday- Friday 10am-2pm, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6-8pm. However, the clothing center often receives donations when they are closed at the uncovered back entrance of the building. In order to protect donated items left at the back entrance from elements, the Kent State University CAED Construction Management Student Organization helped build a shelter at the back entrance of the building in April and May of 2019. The CAED Construction Management Student Organization teamed up with Julie Brandle and Elizabeth Eaken of Metis Construction to help take on the project. The students we able to raise $4000 of the $5000 needed for the project, with the AGC Akron Division donating the remaining $1000. Of the $5000 bout $600 was for permits and the rest was used for building materials to complete the project. With help from Kent State faculty advisor, Joe Karpinski, and Metis Construction, the team of Construction Management students were able to finish most of the labor in April. Karpinski enlisted the help of some Kent State faculty and alumni to finish the structure in May. Throughout the duration of the project, 20 different students participated for at least four hours or more.
STUDENT ORGANIZATION REUSE EVENTS
Student Organization Earth Month 2019 Clothing Reuse Events: Three Kent State University student organizations created events to encourage clothing reuse on campus during Earth Month April 2019. Global Fashion Citizens hosted a Spring Cleaning Clothing Swap on April 9, 2019. The Sustainable Living at Kent State University Student Organization hosted a no sew t-shirt bag event creating reusable bags from t-shirts on April 10, 2019. Communication in Global Society Course Student Group hosted a Fossil Free Fashion event on April 12 where clothing could be brought to be swapped or upcycled.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
Kent State Throw N Go
https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/throw-n-go
2017: https://www.kent.edu/housing/throw-n-go
2016: https://www.kent.edu/einside/news/throw-%E2%80%98n%E2%80%99-go-initiative-gives-students-opportunity-donate-unwanted-items-during-move
2012: http://einside.kent.edu/Management%20Update%20Archive/einside/briefse6f8.html?issueweek=2012-03-19%2016:49:23
Fabric Scrap Recycling
Fashion School Fabric Scrap Display Pilot: https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/news/kent-state-marks-campus-sustainability-month-e-inside-september-28-2017
Career Closet
https://www.kent.edu/careercloset
https://www.kent.edu/einside/news/kent-state-career-closet-helps-students-make-good-first-impression
https://www.kent.edu/flash-feed/news/interview-your-best-kent-state-style
https://www.kent.edu/kent/news/kent-state%E2%80%99s-career-closet-dresses-students-achieve-success
Winter Coat Drive
https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/news/winter-coat-and-clothing-drive-e-inside-december-10-2018
Bra Recycling Drive
https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/news/6th-annual-bra-recycling-drive-kent-wired-october-26-2018
https://vimeo.com/297423265
Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center Entrance Shelter by the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design Construction Management Student Organization
https://www.kent.edu/caed/news/caed-students-raise-funds-build-clothing-center
Student Organization Earth Month 2019 Clothing Reuse Events
https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/earth-month
THROW N GO
2). EXECUTION OF PROGRAM
Throw N Go Throw-N-Go is Kent State University’s annual program that started in 2003 in partnership with Portage County Family and Community Services: Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. At the end of year, from spring break until move out, Kent State University residence hall students donate non-perishable food, clothes, rugs, furniture and other usable items via the Throw-N-Go program. Bins placed in designated areas in the residence halls collect donations that benefit Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center, and all items are distributed to people in need at no cost. This program also keeps quality items out of the dumpsters and reduces our landfill waste. Collection bins are also located in the KSU Alumni Center for off-campus students. Donations are close to 100,000 pounds every year. In the spring of 2019, 63,592 pounds (31.8 tons) were donated from Kent State University to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. This program is coordinated by Kent State University Residence Services and the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. Residence Services provides access, determines bin locations and communicates information to about 6,000 in about 25 locations, promotes the program; Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center provides temporary bins and takes items donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. Office of Sustainability promotes Throw N Go. The Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center offers gently used clothing, household items and appliances to families and individuals in need at absolutely no cost serves over 3,000 individuals and families every month. Kent State University donated 31.8 tons (about 15%) of the 215 tons the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center diverts from the landfill every year. In Spring 2019, about 6,000 students lived in 20 Residence Halls at the Kent State Campus. 63,592 pounds of clothing, non perishable food, furniture and appliances were donated by Kent State to the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center. Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center provided about 80 temporary 95 gallon toter collection bins for Throw N Go during move-out from spring break to the end of Spring semester. The program was promoted by Residence Services, Kent Interhall Council and the Office of Sustainability.
FABRIC SCRAP RECYCLING
Fabric Scrap Recycling Kent State University Fashion School, is consistently rated among the best fashion institutions in the U.S. and worldwide is a leader in the industry. The Fashion School began recycling fabric scraps and thread in January 2018. While unwanted clothing can be donated for reuse, Kent State sought a solution for recycling fabric scraps and threads. This program is a collaboration between Kent State Fashion School, Office of Sustainability and Ohio Mills Corporation. The Fashion School wanted to keep fabric scraps out of the landfill and professors and students collect scraps to be recycled in their classrooms. The Office of Sustainability provided Fashion School with research, logistics help, fabric scrap recycling design. Working with a local vendor in Northeast Ohio, Kent State University was able to implement fabric scrap recycling at the School of Fashion. Ohio Mills Corporation collects fabric and thread for recycling at the Kent State University Fashion School about once a week. Professors and students at the Kent State University Fashion School empty fabric scrap bins into the outdoor fabric scrap collection container. From June 1, 2018- August 1, 2019 Kent State University recycled 1440 pounds of fabric scraps.
CAREER CLOSET
Career Closet The Kent State University Women's Center, Launch Net and The Career Exploration and Development Center have partnered together and created the Career Closet in March 2017. Career Closet was started so that students could easily and affordably get the attire they need for interviews, internships and new jobs. The career closet has seen steady participation and believe that we are fulfilling a need in the community. Located in the Women's Center and at the Career Exploration and Development Center in Schwartz, the Career Closet is a place for all students for free to pick out a professional outfit for interviews and other professional affairs. From June 1, 2018- August 1, 2019, over 389 pieces of clothing to 132 visitors have been given away (which equates to about 389 pounds of clothing). From June 1 2018- August 1 2019 at the Career Closet, 43 donors gave at least 200 pieces of clothing, 10 volunteers and over 300 volunteer hours. In 2018-2019 the Career Closet has donated over 300 pounds of clothing to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage Clothing Center from items that do not fit in line with the Career Closet.
WINTER COAT DRIVE
Winter Coat Drive This program started in the Fall of 2018. Ten winter coat and clothing collection locations were placed on campus starting November 13 in conjunction to the start of Kent State University’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week. From November 13- December 14, 2018 Kent State University collected and donated 547 pounds of winter coats and clothing, which calculates to about 200 coats. Of this, 492 pounds (about 180 winter coats) was donated to the Phyllis Zumkeher Portage County Clothing Center, which makes items available to individuals in need at no cost. About 55 pounds (20 coats) were donated to The Women’s Center to create a winter warm-up stations, making winter clothing items available for free. The Kent State University Office of Sustainability, Women’s Center, Community Engaged Learning and the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center partnered together to offer the 1st winter coat drive at Kent State. Phyllils Zumkehr County Clothing Center provided and placed 10 collection bins. Kent State University Womens’ Center and the Community Engaged Learning offices helped promote this program. Logistics, promotion, collection, and donations were handled by the Office of Sustainability.
BRA RECYCLING DRIVE
Bra Recycling Drive This event reduces textiles that would have been sent to the landfill, allowing bras to be recycled or donated for reuse. Bras that are in good condition are donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center, and worn-out bras are mailed to The Bra Recyclers to be recycled and turned into wiper cloths and other textiles. In the Fall of 2018, 170 bras (24 pounds) were collected and sent for reuse and donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center and 5 bras (0.8 ponds) were mailed to the Bra Recyclers for recycling. Kent State Office of Sustainability has collaborated with the Women’s Center to offer bra recycling every October since 2012. The Women’s Center has a collection bin and promotes the event in conjunction with annual mammogram screenings. The Office of Sustainability coordinates logistics, promotes the event, and drops off donations for resuse or mails bras to be recycled to the Bra Recyclers program.
PORTAGE COUNTY CLOTHING SHELTER ENTRANCE BY CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT STUDENT ORGANIZATION
Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center Entrance Shelter by the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) Construction Management Student Organization The Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center accepts donations during their open hours: Monday- Friday 10am-2pm, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6-8pm. However, the clothing center often receives donations when they are closed at the uncovered back entrance of the building. In order to protect donated items left at the back entrance from elements, the Kent State University CAED Construction Management Student Organization helped build a shelter at the back entrance of the building in April and May of 2019. The CAED Construction Management Student Organization teamed up with Julie Brandle and Elizabeth Eaken of Metis Construction to help take on the project. The students we able to raise $4000 of the $5000 needed for the project, with the AGC Akron Division donating the remaining $1000. Of the $5000 bout $600 was for permits and the rest was used for building materials to complete the project. With help from Kent State faculty advisor, Joe Karpinski, and Metis Construction, the team of Construction Management students were able to finish most of the labor in April. Karpinski enlisted the help of some Kent State faculty and alumni to finish the structure in May. Throughout the duration of the project, 20 different students participated for at least four hours or more.
STUDENT ORGANIZATION REUSE EVENTS
Student Organization Earth Month 2019 Clothing Reuse Events: Three Kent State University student organizations created events to encourage clothing reuse on campus during Earth Month April 2019. Global Fashion Citizens hosted a Spring Cleaning Clothing Swap on April 9, 2019. The Sustainable Living at Kent State University Student Organization hosted a no sew t-shirt bag event creating reusable bags from t-shirts on April 10, 2019. Communication in Global Society Course Student Group hosted a Fossil Free Fashion event on April 12 where clothing could be brought to be swapped or upcycled.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
Kent State Throw N Go
https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/throw-n-go
2017: https://www.kent.edu/housing/throw-n-go
2016: https://www.kent.edu/einside/news/throw-%E2%80%98n%E2%80%99-go-initiative-gives-students-opportunity-donate-unwanted-items-during-move
2012: http://einside.kent.edu/Management%20Update%20Archive/einside/briefse6f8.html?issueweek=2012-03-19%2016:49:23
Fabric Scrap Recycling
Fashion School Fabric Scrap Display Pilot: https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/news/kent-state-marks-campus-sustainability-month-e-inside-september-28-2017
Career Closet
https://www.kent.edu/careercloset
https://www.kent.edu/einside/news/kent-state-career-closet-helps-students-make-good-first-impression
https://www.kent.edu/flash-feed/news/interview-your-best-kent-state-style
https://www.kent.edu/kent/news/kent-state%E2%80%99s-career-closet-dresses-students-achieve-success
Winter Coat Drive
https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/news/winter-coat-and-clothing-drive-e-inside-december-10-2018
Bra Recycling Drive
https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/news/6th-annual-bra-recycling-drive-kent-wired-october-26-2018
https://vimeo.com/297423265
Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center Entrance Shelter by the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design Construction Management Student Organization
https://www.kent.edu/caed/news/caed-students-raise-funds-build-clothing-center
Student Organization Earth Month 2019 Clothing Reuse Events
https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/earth-month
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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