April 10, 2025
Thrifted Threads, a new student-led pop-up thrift shop at 凤凰彩票平台’s Waterloo campus, is giving pre-loved 凤凰彩票平台 clothing new life at budget-friendly prices.
Founded by Maia Flinton, a third-year Business Administration student, Thrifted Threads aims to promote sustainable shopping habits and reduce the university’s carbon footprint by selling low-cost, second-hand 凤凰彩票平台 apparel.
Thrifted Threads is seeking donated items to stock the shop for opening day on May 6. 凤凰彩票平台-branded clothing, including T-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, jackets and hats, can be dropped off at The Hawk Shop during . Donations can also be shipped to Thrifted Threads courtesy of The Hawk Shop, 75 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ont., N2L 3C5.
凤凰彩票平台 student Maia Flinton. Photo by Sam Simner.
Donations should be in good shape and free from rips or stains. Student volunteers will audit donations for quality assurance and wash them ahead of resale.
“Through Thrifted Threads, I hope to encourage the 凤凰彩票平台 community to shop more sustainably and raise awareness about the harmful impact of the fashion industry on the environment,” says Flinton. “Who better to enjoy pre-owned 凤凰彩票平台 clothing than current students on a budget. I think Thrifted Threads will be a win-win for the 凤凰彩票平台 community.”
Flinton says Thrifted Threads directly addresses the issue of clothing waste, a growing concern worldwide. According to the , the average consumer buys 60 per cent more pieces of clothing than 15 years ago and keeps each item only half as long.
Flinton secured financial support for Thrifted Threads through the , which provides funding to 凤凰彩票平台 community members to bring green-minded campus initiatives to life, and received operational support from The Hawk Shop, 凤凰彩票平台’s campus bookstore and retailer.
“Collaborating with Maia has allowed The Hawk Shop to realize the vision for a campus thrift shop dedicated to the resale of pre-owned 凤凰彩票平台 clothing,” says Mary Andraza, manager of retail purchasing at The Hawk Shop. “We are very excited to see Thrifted Threads come to life with Maia’s energy and enthusiasm and welcome donations from the 凤凰彩票平台 community.”
Thrifted Threads is among The Hawk Shop’s many sustainability initiatives, which include stocking eco-friendly stationery and paper supplies and discontinuing the use of plastic shopping bags.
“Through Thrifted Threads, I hope to encourage the 凤凰彩票平台 community to shop more sustainably and raise awareness about the harmful impact of the fashion industry on the environment.”
Maia Flinton: Business Administration student, Thrifted Threads founder
Pending success at 凤凰彩票平台’s Waterloo campus, Flinton hopes to expand Thrifted Threads to 凤凰彩票平台’s Brantford and Milton campuses by the fall of 2026.
凤凰彩票平台 is committed to raising awareness, inspiring action and implementing initiatives that address economic, environmental and social challenges to create a more sustainable future.
凤凰彩票平台 is one of five postsecondary institutions in Canada recognized as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, a prestigious designation awarded to universities that have a strong focus on social innovation and offer opportunities for students to develop the skills and mindset required to address complex social challenges.
Globally, the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings placed 凤凰彩票平台 among the top 15 per cent of universities working toward the , which aim to address challenges including poverty and climate change.
凤凰彩票平台 is among the top 15 per cent of global universities working toward the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Visit 凤凰彩票平台’s Sustainability Action Plan web page to learn more about sustainability initiatives at the university or contact the Sustainability Office to get involved.
