The homeless and environmentally friendly program A-WEAR-Ness Campaign for the Homeless has found stability at West Virginia University with the addition of two permanent recycling bins on campus.
Recycling bins at the Student Recreation Center and the new parking garage, Mountaineer Station, will allow for donations year round, said Tracy Gainer Vash, visiting assistant professor of fashion design and merchandising.
"The program has been so successful that we were able to put up the permanent bin," she said. "(The program) has really yielded a positive result."
From 2007 to 2008, 1.4 million pounds of textiles were recycled under the program, generating close to $200,000, Vash said. WVU has contributed 82,000 pounds of recycled textiles to date.
The A-WEAR-Ness Campaign was founded in a research plan created by Vash known as the Vash Recycling Model. The Model promotes community participation and recycling education.
The once annual program is funded by the Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan grant, written by Vash in 2006 for the Clarksburg Mission.
Clothing and other textile donations are given to local homeless shelters where usable clothing is distributed and useless items are sent to a recycling plantMoney made from recycled contributions is returned to the shelters.
Vash said the combination of giving to the less fortunate and reducing textile waste allows donors to get a special kind of education.
"There’s no downside," she said. "(Donors) are learning to help someone else and the environment as well."
While all donations are appreciated, those from college students are heavily valued, Vash said.
"I’ve been told that when the truck from Morgantown shows up everyone is so excited," she said.
Vash said cleaning out your closet is a good excuse to donate.
"The turnover for college students is much higher," she said. "My suggestion is when that time comes to look at (the A-WEAR-Ness) avenue."
Plans to extend A-WEAR-Ness are underway – Vash said people from around the country have shown interest in the program.
"I’m going to start working with (the North Central Texas Council of Governments) to set up a program there," she said. "Also there is interest from another individual in New Mexico."
The program’s benefits have not gone unnoticed by University administration.
WVU Spokesman John Bolt said A-WEAR-Ness is being brought to everyone in the community.
"WVU is fortunate to have (A-WEAR-Ness), it is beneficial to the University community," he said. "It helps people become aware of homelessness and gives students and others an easy way to give back."
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