AASHE Campus Sustainability Hub

Kent State University has reduced the amount of materials sent to landfills while providing benefits to the local community, campus, and our students. For the past 5 academic years, 2014-2015 through 2018-2019, Kent State University has diverted 441,610 pounds (221 total tons; 44 tons/year, annual average) of clothing, textiles, and nonperishable goods for reuse and recycling through unique annual programs including: 1) Throw N Go; 2) Fabric Scrap Recycling; 3) Career Closet; 4) Winter Coat Drive; 5) Bra Recycling Drive; and unique student involvement programs; 6) building the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center Entrance Shelter by the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design Construction Management Student Organization; 7) student organization Earth Month 2019 clothing reuse events; and 8) Kent State University Fashion School events. Twenty stakeholders for all programs include eight university departments/schools; six university student groups/organizations; six community partner organizations; along with faculty, staff, and student volunteers. The programs listed here demonstrate the ongoing commitment of Kent State University students, faculty, and staff to improving our local community (direct clothing and item donations) and environment (reducing materials sent to the landfill), as well as creating the best possible opportunities (student projects and professional clothing) for our students to grow as future leaders and stewards. A 2017 report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Circular Fibres Initiative, “A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future,” identifies a systems thinking approach involving increasing clothing reuse and recycling as leading to a better economic, environmental, and societal outcomes; this also has a direct impact on lowering greenhouse gas emissions, as well as reducing pollution, hazardous substances, and non-renewable inputs.

In 2003, a few people at Kent State and in Portage County came together, recognizing community needs and working together to fill the gaps: 1) providing free clothing, appliances, and food to those in need and 2) capturing waste during student move out. The program which resulted has become known as “Throw N Go,” where students leave donations for the community as they leave their residence halls for the year. In the years since, this has led to much collaboration and program development at Kent State—particularly over the past six years—to keep fulfilling community needs while reducing waste streams. All programs have typically started with one or two passionate people with an idea of how to help, often requiring ingenuity to overcome barriers to make the program possible. Openness, collaboration, communication, and a desire to make a difference is the recipe for the energy that drives programs to fruition. In 2013, the Bra Recycling initiative began, aimed at keeping clothing and textiles out of the landfill. In 2017, the Career Closet was started in response to student requests; this service offers free professional clothing for interviews as well as professional on-the-job attire. In 2018, Fabric Scrap Recycling and Reuse as well as Winter Coat Drive were started after departments sought outlets to keep reducing our waste streams and to help the community. In 2019, students built a shelter entrance at the county clothing center, protecting donations during off-hours from the elements. Throughout the years, Kent State’s Office of Sustainability, the Fashion School, and student organizations have provided engaging education and awareness events centered around clothing, textiles, reuse, and waste reduction lifestyle choices. The collective actions started by a few led to increased involvement and awareness across campus and led to the impressive results that directly aid our community. The responsible citizenship of students, faculty, staff, and community members to each other and the environment have had cascading impacts throughout the community, region, nation, and world.

Northeast Ohioans have always demonstrated innovation, empathy, generosity, resilience, and community—embedded in the Rust Belt region’s DNA. Indeed, compassion and an urge to help others has been exemplified in the region’s response to the aforementioned community needs but also to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Kent State University’s own response includes the college raising $250,000 for the students’ Emergency Grant Fund in five weeks; it also includes Kent State students answering a call for nurses to volunteer in New York City epicenter hospitals, collecting and donating PPE, making masks, and volunteering to help the community, from collecting education materials for preschoolers to delivering meals to those in need. This can-do spirit is at the core of who we are as Northeast Ohioans and Kent State Golden Flashes.

According to a 2017 report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Circular Fibres Initiative titled “A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future,” “In 2015, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from textiles production totaled 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent, more than those of all international flights and maritime shipping combined.” The same report shows that since 2000 global clothing production has doubled and textile generation and production has been a generally linear system (non-renewable resources are extracted to produce clothes used for a short time which are landfilled or incinerated afterward) which in turn has a direct impact on total greenhouse gas emissions, generation of hazardous substances of workers and wearers of clothes, and pollution. According to “The Economic Impact of the Fashion Industry February 2019,” a report issued by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, “Fashion is a highly sophisticated, $2.5 trillion global industry. In the United States alone, consumers spent nearly $380 billion on apparel and footwear in 2017.” Half a million tons of plastic microfibers are released each year, contributing to ocean pollution. This is 16 times more than plastic microbeads from cosmetics. The aforementioned Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2017 report notes, “Under a business-as-usual scenario, the growth in material volume of textiles would see an increasing amount of non-renewable inputs, up to 300 million tons per year by 2050. On current trend, the amount of plastic microfibers entering the ocean between 2015 and 2050 could accumulate to an excess of 22 million tons – about two thirds of the plastic-based fibers currently used to produce garments annually.” The industry and its customers are aware of negative environmental and societal impacts of the current system and have started to address specific challenges within supply chains, most of which are focused on reducing the impact of the linear system (more efficient production techniques or impact of materials). The Ellen MacArthur Foundation report instead calls for an “upstream, systemic approach to tackling the root cause of the system’s wasteful nature directly, in particular, low clothing utilization and low rates of recycling after use.”

According to the E.P.A., in 2017, in the U.S., 16.9 million tons of MSW textiles were generated and 66% were sent to the landfill and only 15% were recycled. However, Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles, states nearly 100% of used clothing and textiles can be reused and recycled. According to Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles about 81 pounds of clothing per person is thrown away annually in the U.S.. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 11.8% of Portage County, (18,358 people of the 162,466 population) are in poverty, defined as living below the minimum threshold of income needed to cover basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Instead of sending clothing overseas, a short-term solution that saturates the market in recipient countries identified in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation report, Kent State University has created programs with on and off campus partners that directly aid the local community.

Kent State University is one of Ohio’s leading public universities and a major educational, economic and cultural resource far beyond the Northeast Ohio region it has served since 1910. Additionally, Kent State University ranks in the top tier of American universities according to U.S. News and World Report. Serving more than 43,000 enrolled students, Kent State University is the third largest system in Ohio with eight campuses. The mission of the Kent State System, “To transform lives and communities through the power of discovery, learning, and creative expression in an inclusive environment,” unites the campus system around a common purpose. Serving different student populations in counties with different economic conditions, the vision of Kent State is, “To be a community of change agents whose collective commitment to learning sparks epic thinking, meaningful voice and invaluable outcomes to better our society.”

Kent State University’s main campus, with 28,000 enrolled students, is located in Kent, Ohio, a city of about 28,000 residents, on the banks of the Cuyahoga River in Portage County. The campus is a short drive from resources of four major urban centers: Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown. Kent State is a powerful economic engine, directly contributing more than $1 billion annually to the Northeast Ohio region’s prosperity. Kent State also contributes to philanthropic causes, and volunteering throughout the region. The textile reuse and recycling programs listed are just one example of how Kent State University gives back to the local community. Six out of eight Kent State University programs created 1) Throw N Go; 2) Career Closet; 3) Winter Coat Drive; 4) Bra Recycling Drive; 5) 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) Kent State University Fashion School events) directly partner with or benefit the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center.

The Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center provides gently used clothing and other household items to families, individuals, and veterans in need, free of charge. They serve over 3,000 individuals and families every month. The center has a focus on protecting the environment; 215 tons of clothing is diverted from landfills each year. The Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center is part of Family and Community Services, Inc., one of the largest nonprofit agencies in Northeast Ohio, assisting over 100,000 people annually through its programs including food for the hungry, clothes for those in need, shelter for the homeless, counseling for individuals and families, guidance for the young and encouragement for the downtrodden.

If the number of times a garment worn were doubled, then GHG emissions would be 44% lower, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation report. The report continues: “In a new textiles economy, clothes, textiles, and fibers are kept at their highest value during use and re-enter the economy afterwards, never ending up as waste. This vision is distinct from, and complements, ongoing efforts to make the textiles system more sustainable by minimizing its negative impacts. With specific emphasis on innovation towards a different system, a new textiles economy presents an opportunity to deliver substantially better economic, societal, and environmental outcomes.”

The programs listed demonstrate the ongoing commitment of Kent State University students, faculty and staff to improving our local community (direct clothing and item donations), environment (reducing materials sent to the landfill), and creating the best possible opportunities (student projects and professional clothing) for our students to grow as future leaders and stewards.

We believe that Kent State University’s outlined programs fulfill the U.N. 2030 Sustainable Development goals #1) no poverty goal #12) responsible consumption and production goal and #17) partnerships for goals goal. In Kent State’s Office of Sustainability, we have adopted a version of the three Ps of the pillars of sustainability: People (which includes social equity, health, wellness), Place (a local connection to the planet and the environment), and Prosperity (because not everything that improves the economy or quality of life is measured in dollars or by GDP).

The vision of Kent State University is, “to be a community of change agents whose collective commitment to learning sparks epic thinking, meaningful voice and invaluable outcomes to better our society.” Because of the strong desire to help others while reducing landfill waste and increase environmental, economic, and societal benefits from all twenty stakeholders including: university departments and schools, faculty, staff, students, and community partners, Kent State University has been able to create and support reuse and recycling programs, most of which were created within the last 5 years.

Diverting clothing, textiles and fibers from the landfill to keep using them at their highest value of use leads to better environmental, economic, and social outcomes; lowers greenhouse gas emissions; and reduces pollution, hazardous substances, and non-renewable inputs, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation report. We believe Kent State University programs fulfill ambition 2 of clothing reuse in new textile circular economy outlined in Ellen MacArthur Foundation Report. We also believe that Kent State has used a systems-thinking approach “based on the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s research on the theory and practice of system-level change and the experience of the Foundation from working with business and government on the transition to a circular economy–some key characteristics that support system shifts have been identified: 1) alignment on the case for change 2) a positive vision for a new system 3) broad stakeholder buy-in and time-bound commitments to a vision-led transformation 4) demonstration that the vision is possible, with large-scale, pre-competitive, cross value-chain collaboration 5) unprecedented levels of collaboration and alignment in areas of action.”

Throw N Go Throw N Go is Kent State University’s annual move-out donation 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 (~7 weeks), Kent State University residence hall students (~6,000 students across 25 buildings) donate clothes, nonperishable food, rugs, furniture and other usable items via the Throw N Go program. Bins are 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 keeps quality items out of the dumpsters and reduces waste sent to the landfill. Collection bins (3 per area: clothing; nonperishable food; miscellaneous) are also located in the KSU Alumni Center for off-campus students. Over the past 5 years 2014-15 through 2018-19 Kent State University donated 418,788 pounds (209 tons; 42 ton/year on average annually) of clothing, furniture, nonperishable foods and other items directly to the Portage County community. 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 and promotes information to about 6,000 students in about 25 locations. Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center provides temporary bins (3 per location) and takes items donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. The 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 to over 3,000 individuals and families every month. Kent State University donated 31.8 tons (about 15%) of the 215 tons the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center diverted from the landfill in 2019.

Fabric Scrap Recycling Kent State University Fashion School, is consistently rated among the best fashion institutions in the U.S. and is a worldwide 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 local fabric recycler, 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 the Fashion School with research, logistics help, and 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 provides the outdoor collection bin and 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. The Fashion School also donates an unknown amount of fabric scraps to local non-profit, the Socially Responsible Sweatshop, which repurposes landfill-destined textiles into useful items and proceeds from the sales of these items are donated to provide extra funds for food-insecure community members and other social justice projects. From January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019 Kent State University recycled 20,530 pounds (10.3 tons) of fabric scraps via the local fabric scrap recycler.

Career Closet The Kent State University Women's Center, Launch Net and the Career Exploration and Development Center partnered to create the Career Closet in March 2017. The 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 is fulfilling a need in the community. Located in the Women's Center and at the Career Exploration and Development Center, the Career Closet is a place for all students to pick out a free professional outfit for interviews and other professional affairs. From June 1, 2018 - August 1, 2019, over 389 pieces of clothing have been given away to 132 visitors, 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 and 10 volunteers contributed over 300 volunteer hours. In 2018-2019 the Career Closet has donated over 300 pounds of clothing to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center from items that do not fit in line with the Career Closet.

Winter Coat Drive This program started in the Fall of 2018 by the Office of Sustainability, the Women’s Center and Community Engaged Learning. In 2019 Kent State of Wellness also joined the partnership. Ten winter coat and clothing collection locations were placed on campus for a month starting mid-November in conjunction with the start of Kent State University’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week through mid-December. From mid-November through mid-December in 2018 and 2019, Kent State University collected and donated 1,303 pounds, 90%, (0.65 tons) of winter coats and clothing to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing center and donated 143 pounds, 10%, (0.07 tons) of winter coats and clothing to the Kent State University Winter Warm-up Station at the Women’s Center. The Winter Warm-Up Station at the Women’s Center makes winter gear available for free to anyone who needs it. In 2018, ten 95 gallon toter collection bins were placed on campus by the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. The Office of Sustainability picked up donations and delivered them to Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. In 2019, 11 boxes were purchased and placed on Campus by the Office of Sustainability and Kent State of Wellness student volunteers. The Office of Sustainability, Kent State of Wellness, and Community Engaged Learning staff and volunteers picked up donations and delivered them to Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. Location logistics, promotion, outreach and communication were coordinated by the Office of Sustainability.

Bra Recycling Drive Kent State Office of Sustainability has collaborated with the Women’s Center to offer bra recycling every October since 2012. 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 Portage County Clothing Center, and worn-out bras are mailed to The Bra Recyclers to be recycled and turned into wiper cloths and other textiles. Over the past 5 years 2014-15 through 2018-19 Kent State University collected 951 bras; of this 829 bras, 75%, (139 pounds, 0.07 tons) were donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center and 122 bras, 25%, (22 pounds, 0.01 tons) were sent to The Bra Recyclers for Recycling. 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 reuse or mails bras to be recycled to the Bra Recyclers program.

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 and 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 items donated during off hours 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 were able to raise $4,000 of the $5,000 needed for the project, with the AGC Akron Division donating the remaining $1,000. Of the $5,000 about $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 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 Students hosted a Fossil Free Fashion event on April 12 where clothing could be brought to be swapped or upcycled.

Kent State University Fashion School events The Fashion School at Kent State University is consistently rated among the best fashion institutions in the U.S. and worldwide. Ranked in the top 25 Fashion Schools the world by Fashionista. At the Fashion School at Kent State University, fashion design and merchandising majors get a chance to showcase their talent and innovation in real-world settings. This energized atmosphere has earned the school a consistent ranking among the best fashion programs nationally and globally. The Fashion School offers many courses and opportunities to explore sustainability in fashion. Some of the 2019-2020 Fashion School events centered around sustainability and fashion include: 1) social justice focus during Kent State Fashion Tech Hackathon; 2) Fashion Meets Botanicals 2020; 3) fashion visuals class partners with Portage County Clothing Center; 4) fashion fabric scrap recycling program recycles 4.4 tons of fabric 5) Fashion School Store launches new collection: Sustainability Retold; 6) Wearing Justice Exhibit brings attention to Global and Social Issues. In 2017, the Office of Sustainability Partnered with the Fashion School for Campus Sustainability Month to offer a screening of “The True Cost” followed by a panel Q&A with Fashion faculty. The Office of Sustainability collaborated with the Fashion School creating an event that engaged students in a meaningful way about sustainability issues. We hoped the audience would walk away with an understanding of sustainability in fashion, to realize they have power in consumer choices, and to realize they are already a part of the sustainability movement through actions they take (minimalism, repair, reuse, etc). The event consisted of “The True Cost” documentary screening, followed by a Q&A panelist discussion from 4 Fashion School Faculty members and 1 moderator and local on and off-campus organizations tabled in the lobby after the event.

Throw N Go Annual Timeline: About 100,000 pounds are donated annually from the 7 week move-out program from Spring Break to Graduation/Move-Out. • Fall Semester: Residence Services and Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center meeting to review/determine building locations, access, promotion, communication, and address any previous years’ issues. • Spring Semester: Over spring break, Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center staff and volunteers place bins in ~25 identified campus locations. Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center empty bins as needed and take to be sorted and weighed at Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. • Summer: Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center volunteers weigh, sort, and place materials available for free to those in need. Final weight shared with Kent State University over the summer after move-out. Historic Timeline: • 2002/2003 “Throw N Go” starts at Kent State University by the Black Squirrel Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary group and Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center according to records • 2012 Office of Sustainability becomes a partner in Throw N Go with Family and Community Services Inc., Portage County Recycling and the Black Squirrel Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary according to records • 2016 Throw N Go expands collection efforts to include off-campus apartments after Kent State University’s Throw N Go ends in May, to start in the Summer. (This is not included in Kent State’s data) by student organization Commuter and Off-Campus Student Organization, off-campus apartment complexes, and the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center according to records • 2020 Due to Covid-19, with Kent State moving to online classes and with residents moving off campus before Spring Break March 20, Throw n Go was delayed/put on hold for this year. There may be opportunity to coordinate pick-up in the summer.

Fabric Scrap Recycling Fall 2017 The Kent State Fashion School, started collecting fabric scraps to measure how much fabric scraps Kent State was producing so the size of container needed would be determined. The fashion school made a display out of the fabric scraps. The Office of Sustainability was researching options for fabric scrap recycling vendors and coordinated with Ohio Mills Corporation, based in Cleveland, OH to set up fabric scrap recycling at Kent State in January 2018. Fabric Scrap bins and posters were ordered and placed in the Fashion School building. Spring 2018 Ohio Mills Corporation delivers fabric scrap recycling bin in January. Kent State University professors and students start recycling fabric scraps from the classroom into the fabric scrap recycling bin. The Fashion School also coordinated with local non-profit Socially Responsible Sweatshop, from January 2018 through the current date giving first choice of fabric scrap reuse to the Socially Responsible Sweatshop before sending fabric scraps for recycling. The Socially Responsible Sweatshop, a non-profit based in Kent, OH, repurposes landfill-destined textiles into useful items and proceeds from the sales of these items are donated to provide extra funds for food-insecure community members and other social justice projects. Fabric Scrap donation and recycling at the Kent State University Fashion School continues as an ongoing program.

Career Closet March 2017 The Kent State University Women's Center, Launch Net and the Career Exploration and Development Center partnered to create the Career Closet in March 2017. 2017 a budget of $200 was used by the Women’s Center to purchase clothing racks and some clothing racks were donated by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. For the Career Closet at the Career and Exploration and Development Center a budget of $500 was used to purchase clothing racks and mannequins. March 2017- present Donations accepted during open hours at both locations. Volunteer hours coordinated for times Career Closet is open. Advertised to students through outreach and communication efforts. Donations that do not fit career closet criteria are donated to county community clothing center.

Winter Coat Drive Annual Timeline: • Fall Semester: Location logistics, promotion, outreach and communication were coordinated by the Office of Sustainability in the Fall Semester. The Office of Sustainability, Women’s Center, Community Engaged Learning, and Kent State of Wellness coordinate volunteers for bin placement, clothing pick-ups and donation for a month from mid-November through mid- December. Historic Timeline: • Fall 2018 This program started in the Fall of 2018 by the Office of Sustainability, the Women’s Center and Community Engaged Learning. In 2018, ten temporary 95 gallon toter collection bins were placed on campus by the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. The Office of Sustainability picked up donations and delivered them to Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. • Fall 2019 In 2019 Kent State of Wellness also partnered on the project. Ten winter coat and clothing collection locations were placed on campus for a month starting mid-November in conjunction with the start of Kent State University’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week thought mid-December. The Winter Warm-Up Station at the Women’s Center makes winter gear available for free to anyone who needs it. In 2019, 11 boxes were purchased and placed on Campus by the Office of Sustainability and Kent State of Wellness student volunteers. The Office of Sustainability, Kent State of Wellness and Community Engaged Learning staff and volunteers picked up donations and delivered them to Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center.

Bra Recycling Drive Annual Timeline: • Fall Semester: The Office of Sustainability partners with the Women’s Center to host a bra recycling drive that coincides with the Women’s Center annual mammogram screenings and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Donation bins logistics are coordinated and bins are set out at: the Women’s Center, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, and the Office of Sustainability. Bras are sorted by the Office of Sustainability after the month-long collection for reuse or recycling. Bras for reuse are dropped off by the Office of Sustainability to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. Bras for recycling are mailed by the Office of Sustainability to The Bra Recyclers. Outreach and communication materials are updated, published, and shared on the university calendar. This recurring timeline occurs every year since 2012. Historic Timeline: • In the fall of 2013, the Office of Sustainability saw an article about “The Bra Recyclers” and reached out to the Women’s Center to see if they wanted to partner together to offer Bra Recycling during October Breast Cancer Awareness month. The partnership and collaboration follows the same fall semester timeline outlined above for logistics, coordination and outreach.

Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center Entrance Shelter by the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design Construction Management Student Organization Spring Semester 2019 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 were able to raise $4000 of the $5000 needed for the project, with the AGC Akron Division donating the remaining $1000. Of the $5000 about $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 Earth Month 2019 Clothing Reuse Events: Spring Semester 2019 Three Student Organizations hosted three clothing reuse events on campus during Earth Month April 2019 to encourage clothing reuse.

Kent State University Fashion School events It is unknown about the Fashion School timeline to schedule their yearly events. Campus Sustainability Month “The True Cost” Documentary Screening followed by Q&A Panelist Discussion on October 26, 2017 Fall Semester 2017 In August the Office of Sustainability reached out to Fashion School faculty contacts to see if they would be interested in collaborating together on a Campus Sustainability Month event in October. Ideas were proposed and details and logistics of the event were coordinated throughout September. Communication and outreach materials were created and shared in September and October. The event took place at the end of October.

Throw N Go: 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 Portage County Clothing Center. Phyllis Zumkehr Portage 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 Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center picks up materials with their moving van with one full time staff member and volunteers. Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center volunteers sort items and place items on display. The program was promoted by Residence Services, Kent Interhall Council, and the Office of Sustainability. It has grown to include apartment complexes who pay for storage pods, which ends up being more financially viable than paying for extra trash hauls during move-out. The Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center picks up donated items during the summer after it has already completed the Kent State move-out in mid-May.

Fabric Scrap Recycling: Forty slimjim fabric scrap collection bins at $1,965.30 total were purchased by Facilities Planning and Operations and the Fashion School. Forty fabric scrap recycling signs designed by the Office of Sustainability were purchased from Riot Creative Imaging for a total of $335.20 by the Fashion School. Recurring costs include bin liners (wanted by vendor) to haul fabric scraps to the locked outside dumpster. Students and professors empty fabric scraps into the outdoor bin. The recycling vendor, Ohio Mills Corporation provided the outdoor recycling bin and picks up fabric to be recycled. The Socially Responsible Sweatshop coordinates with the Fashion School for access and pick up of fabric scraps.

Career Closet: During set up of the Career Closet at the Women’s Center in March 2017 a budget of $200 was used by the Women’s Center to purchase clothing racks and some clothing racks were donated by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. For the Career Closet at the Career and Exploration and Development Center a budget of $500 was used by the Career and Exploration Development Center to purchase clothing racks and mannequins. Clothing and hanger donations continue through present day.

Winter Coat Drive: In 2018, ten temporary 95 gallon toter collection bins were placed on campus by the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. Three hours of Office of Sustainability staff time was used to collect donations from the bins and drop donations off to Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. In 2019, eleven 20”x24”x23”, 80 gallon capacity U-haul wardrobe boxes were purchased for a total of $114.45, split between the Office of Sustainability, Women’s Center, and Community Engaged Learning. Four packs of 3 rolls of wrapping paper were purchased by Kent State of Wellness for a total of $43.16. Annual recurring costs are expected to be wrapping paper ~$40. The Office of Sustainability, Women’s Center, Community Engaged Learning and Kent State of Wellness staff along with 10 Kent State of Wellness Ambassador student volunteers set up bins in all locations and were responsible for monitoring, emptying, and recording donation data.

Bra Recycling Drive: Three 7-gallon donation bins provided by the Office of Sustainability are used as temporary collection bins at the Office of Sustainability, the Women’s Center, and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center to collect donations. Office of Sustainability staff sort through donations for reuse and recycling, drop off donations to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. Annual recurring costs including shipping cost to The Bra Recyclers, which is covered by the Office of Sustainability. Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center Entrance Shelter by the Kent State University CAED Construction Management Student Organization: The CAED Construction Management Student Organization students were able to raise $4,000 of the $5,000 needed for the project, with the AGC Akron Division donating the remaining $1,000. $600 of the $5,000 budget were spent of permits while the remaining budget money was spent on building supplies for the structure. With help from faculty advisor, Joe Karpinski, and Julie Brandle and Elizabeth Eaken of Metis Construction, students were able to build the entrance in April and May 2019. Throughout the duration of the project, 20 different students participated for at least four hours or more.

Student Organization Earth Month 2019 Clothing Reuse Events These were all no/low cost events as the supplies (tshirts or clothing) were supplied by participants. The Office of Sustainability helped promote student organization 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 Students hosted a Fossil Free Fashion event on April 12 where clothing could be brought to be swapped or upcycled.

Kent State University Fashion School events It is unknown about the Fashion School financing cost of events. Campus Sustainability Month “The True Cost” Documentary Screening followed by Q&A Panelist Discussion on October 26, 2017: Event space rental including set up, podium, screen, microphone, laptop, labor operations were a total of $500. The True Cost Screening Documentary screening fee ~$100-$200 from Bullfrog Films.

Kent State University has reduced the amount of materials sent to landfills while providing benefits to the local community, campus and our students. For the past 5 academic years, 2014-2015 through 2018-2019, Kent State University has diverted 441,610 pounds (221 total tons; 44 tons/year average annually) of clothing, textiles, nonperishable goods for reuse and recycling through unique annual and one-time programs listed. Twenty stakeholders for all programs include eight university departments/schools (Office of Sustainability, Residence Services, Fashion School, Women’s Center, Launch Net, Career Exploration and Development, Community Engaged Learning, Kent State of Wellness); six university student involvement/organizations (Kent Interhall Council, College of Architecture and Environmental Design Construction Management Student Organization, Global Fashion Citizens, The Sustainable Living at Kent State University, Communication in Global Society Course Students); and six community partner organizations (Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center, Ohio Mills Corporation, Socially Responsible Sweatshop, The Bra Recyclers, Metis Construction, the AGC Akron Division); along with faculty, staff, and student volunteers. The programs listed here demonstrate the ongoing commitment of Kent State University students, faculty, and staff to improving our local community (direct clothing and item donations), environment (reducing materials sent to the landfill), and creating the best possible opportunities (student projects and professional clothing) for our students to grow as future leaders and stewards. A 2017 report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Circular Fibres Initiative, “A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future,” identifies a systems thinking approach involving increasing clothing reuse and recycling as leading to a better economic, environmental, and societal outcomes; this also has a direct impact on lowering greenhouse gas emissions, as well as reducing pollution, hazardous substances, and non-renewable inputs.

• THROW N GO: Over the past 5 years 2014-15 through 2018-19 Kent State University donated 418,788 pounds (209 tons; 42 tons/year on average) of clothing, furniture, nonperishable foods and other items directly to the Portage County community. 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. o Stakeholder Involvement:  University: ~6,000 residence hall students in ~25 buildings Residence Services, Kent Interhall Council, Office of Sustainability,  Community Partner: Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center  Community Benefits: 209 tons donated in past 5 years (about 42 tons/year) of clothing, furniture, nonperishable goods directly to county clothing center. The Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center offers gently used clothing, household items and appliances over 3,000 individuals and families every month at no cost. Kent State University donated about 42 tons/year (about 20%) of the 215 tons the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center diverted from the landfill annually.

• FABRIC SCRAP RECYCLING: From January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019 Kent State University recycled 20,530 pounds (10.3 tons) of fabric scraps. o Stakeholder Involvement:  University: Fashion School, Office of Sustainability  Community Partners: Ohio Mills Corporation, Socially Responsible Sweatshop  Community Benefits: January 2018 through December 2019 10.3 tons (20,530 pounds) of fabric scraps recycled by Ohio Mills Corporation. An unknown amount of fabric scraps have been given to local non-profit, Socially Responsible Sweatshop, which repurposes landfill-destined textiles into useful items and proceeds from the sales of these items are donated to provide extra funds for food-insecure community members and other social justice projects.

• CAREER CLOSET: From June 1, 2018 - August 1, 2019, over 389 pieces of clothing have been given away to 132 visitors, which equates to about 389 pounds of clothing. 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. o Stakeholder Involvement:  University: Kent State University Women's Center, Launch Net, and the Career Exploration and Development Center  Community Partner: Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center  Community Benefits: Free professional clothing for students. From June 1, 2018 - August 1, 2019, over 389 pieces of clothing have been given away to 132 visitors, which equates to about 389 pounds of clothing. 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: From mid-November through mid-December in 2018 and 2019, Kent State University collected and donated 1,303 pounds, 90%, (0.65 tons) of winter coats and clothing to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing center and donated 143 pounds, 10%, (0.07 tons) of winter coats and clothing to the Kent State University Winter Warm-up Station at the Women’s Center. o Stakeholder Involvement:  University: The Office of Sustainability, the Women’s Center, Community Engaged Learning, Kent State of Wellness, and student volunteers: Kent State of Wellness Ambassadors, Community Engaged Learning Volunteers  Community: Public donation bin at Student Recreation and Wellness Center gets the most donations throughout drive  Community Partner: Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center  Community Benefits: From mid-November through mid-December in 2018 and 2019, Kent State University collected and donated 1303 pounds (0.65 tons) of winter coats and clothing to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing center and donated 143 pounds (0.07 tons) of winter coats and clothing to the Kent State University Winter Warm-up Station at the Women’s Center.

• BRA RECYCLING DRIVE: Over the past 5 years 2014-15 through 2018-19 Kent State University collected 951 bras; of this 829 bras, 75%, (139 pounds, 0.07 tons) were donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center and 122 bras, 25%, (22 pounds, 0.01 tons) were sent to The Bra Recyclers for Recycling.
o Stakeholder Involvement:  University: The Office of Sustainability, the Women’s Center  Community: Public donation bin at the Women’s Center and Student Recreation and Wellness Center  Community Partners: Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center, The Bra Recyclers  Community Benefits: Over the past 5 years 2014-15 through 2018-19 Kent State University collected 951 bras; of this 829 bras (139 pounds, 0.07 tons) were donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center and 122 bras (22 pounds, 0.01 tons) were sent to The Bra Recyclers for Recycling.

• PHYLLIS ZUMKEHR PORTAGE COUNTY CLOTHING CENTER ENTRANCE SHELTER BY KENT STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT STUDENT ORGANIZATION: It is unknown how many pounds of donations were protected from the elements since the shelter was constructed. o Stakeholder Involvement:  University: The Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design Construction Management Student Organization  Community: Donations from public  Community Partners: Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center, Metis Construction, the AGC Akron Division  Community Benefits: It is unknown how many pounds of donations were protected from the elements since the shelter was constructed.

• STUDENT ORGANIZATION EARTH MONTH 2019 CLOTHING REUSE EVENTS: It is unknown how many pounds of clothing was upcycled/donated/swapped from student reuse events. o Stakeholder Involvement:  University: Student Organizations: Global Fashion Citizens, The Sustainable Living at Kent State University, Communication in Global Society Course Students, Office of Sustainability  Community Benefits: It is unknown how many pounds of clothing was upcycled/donated/swapped from student reuse events.

• KENT STATE UNIVERSITY FASHION SCHOOL EVENT: The True Cost Documentary Screening o Stakeholder Involvement:  University: The Office of Sustainability, The Fashion School, Global Fashion Citizens Student Organization, oikos Kent Student Organization Kent State Career Closet  Community: Donations of clothing to Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center, awareness to students of free professional clothing, bra recycling collection.  Community Partners: Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center, Socially Responsible Sweatshop of Kent Ohio, City of Kent Sustainability Commission  Community Benefits: It is unknown how many pounds of clothing was upcycled/donated/swapped at this event.

Throw N Go: Open communication and in-person meetings between the university and Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center is key in identifying needs of both parties to ensure the success of the program from access to bins, communicating information to students about what can be donated, etc.

Fabric Scrap Recycling: The logistics were difficult in trying to find out how scraps would be recycled: if they would be recycled or would they be shipped overseas? Kent State found a local recycling vendor in Northeast Ohio that recycles scraps.

Winter Coat Drive: Most donations come from high-traffic areas such as the recreation center and library. The recreation center also has a lot of community member use and donations. In 2019, the president’s office did an Instagram story that helped support the cause and bring awareness to the donation bins.

Bra Recycling: Most donations come from Women’s Center and at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. In the past, it has been successful to reach out to Greek life which often have donations.

• Leah Graham - Outreach/Recycling Coordinator | Kent State University

• Link: Kent State University Office of Sustainability
• File: Kent State University AASHE Case Study Submission
• File: Kent State Case Study Data
• File: Kent State AASHE Case Study Supplemental Links