University students launch collection of recycled clothes

STUDENTS at Sheffield University have launched a new boutique range of recycled clothes at the St Luke’s Hospice shop on Ecclesall Road.

The project involved creating a collection of vintage clothes from unwanted items donated by students moving out of their accommodation earlier this year, through the “Bring It, Don’t Bin It” campaign.

Claire Monk, activities officer at Sheffield University students’ union, said: “We have been delighted with the positive response we have had from students, which has amounted to a record amount of unwanted items being donated.

“We have an economic, social and environmental duty to prevent these items from being wasted, and the students’ innovative ideas for what to do with these items has not only prevented this, but also benefited two worthy local causes.”

Called “Caged Roses”, the new range at the St Luke’s shop consists of tunics, dresses, tops and skirts and is set to become a permanent feature in the shop.

The scheme was a joint initiative between the university, the students’ union and the SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) society.

As well as helping St Luke’s, the “Bring It, Don’t Bin It” campaign, which saved a total of 320kg (705lb) of goods from landfill this year, also donated items such as duvets, pillows, crockery and pans to the Conversation Club – a charity which supports local asylum seekers and refugees.

A member of the Conversation Club said: “This act of kindness from the students at the university goes a long way in brightening up the days of vulnerable people.”

Laura Munliafu, one of the co-ordinators of the SIFE St Luke’s Project, added: “Besides impacting positively on the environment we are looking to get university students more involved with the local community through working with the SIFE St Luke’s project.

“The shops revenue provides six per cent of the money required to run St Luke’s Hospice, which provides specialist care to about 1,500 patients every year.

“We are very grateful for the clothing donation from the students, as it will help provide us with more stock to create fantastic new outfits for our clothing line for the boutique section.”