Student Centers Kicks off the Semester with 1st Sustainability Lunch and Learn

DSA News
October 22, 2024

The Student Centers kicked off their Sustainability Lunch and Learn series on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, in the Student Center South Multipurpose Room. Designed to promote sustainability on campus, this monthly event offers students and staff the chance to learn about impactful environmental practices, connect with community organizations, and discover how they can contribute to sustainability initiatives.

This month’s guest speaker was from Value Village, a local thrift shop with six stores in the Houston area. Value Village’s mission is to promote sustainable living and to give clothes and furniture a second life, helping to minimize the environmental impact of the fashion and home goods industries. Adding around 20,000 new items every week, including vintage and rare items – this family-owned business has put its efforts into providing affordable high-quality goods for everyone. The store works with several non-profits and charities such as the Purple Heart Foundation and the Disabled American Veterans organization, with a focus on sustainability and preservation. Their efforts not only help individuals and families in need, but also align with broader environmental goals by diverting waste from landfills.

“The fashion industry is responsible for almost 10% of global carbon emissions in the world,” said Alan Iammarino, the manager of Value Village. “We have to do every single bit to help and stop climate change and other factors that are negatively impacting the world.”

The event also discussed upcoming events contributing towards sustainability on the University of Houston campus, bringing other departments closer together. Plant Swap will offer students a chance to exchange plants and receive care instructions. Additionally, the Office Supply & Ink Swap will let students and staff take leftover and unused ink from older devices, along with various office supplies to promote resource sharing and reducing waste.

“We want to help educate and grow our community’s knowledge on sustainability,” shared Eve Esch, the executive director of the Student Centers. “Sustainability is more than just the three R’s [reducing, reusing, and recycling]. It’s also the larger picture provided by the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, such as eliminating poverty and hunger. Hopefully, people will keep in mind the impact the fashion industry has on the environment the next time they go shopping.”

If you’re interested in learning more about SDG’s, you can visit https://sdgs.un.org/goals . If you’d like more information on Value Village, please refer to their website for more information. Value Village not only accepts clothing, furniture, and household items as donations but also offers a convenient free pickup service, making it easier for community members to contribute to sustainability efforts.

The next Student Center Sustainability Lunch and Learn will be held at noon on Tuesday, October 22 in the Multipurpose Room with free lunch provided. If you would like to sign up for the upcoming Lunch and Learn, please fill out this form. This will be another excellent opportunity to learn more about sustainability practices and how each person can make a difference. For more information on the Lunch and Learns series, please contact Eve Esch at emesch@central.uh.edu.  

Written by Diana Brix, Copywriter (Student Worker) – Student Centers