ASU clothing drive promotes sustainable fashion on campus

Students at Arizona State University are being encouraged to rethink their relationship with fashion through Fashion Forward, a campus clothing drive focused on sustainability and community sharing.

According to student newspaper The State Press, the initiative allows members of the ASU community to donate unwanted clothing and then shop for free items collected during the drive. Alongside the clothing exchange, the event also offers workshops and educational activities designed to raise awareness about sustainable fashion practices.

The event is organised by the university’s Staff Council Sustainability Program and has been running for five years. Planning for the 2026 edition began roughly ten months in advance, with donation boxes placed around campus in late 2025 to gather garments for the drive.

Organisers say the initiative aims to reduce textile waste while helping students access affordable clothing. “Education is an integral part of this event — it’s action and education,” said Halie Cousineau, associate director of the International Students and Scholars Center and lead organiser of Fashion Forward.

By combining clothing redistribution with sustainability workshops, the programme seeks to encourage students to adopt more responsible consumption habits and rethink the lifecycle of fashion products.