October 31, 2024
Susquehanna is furthering its sustainability efforts through Hawk Stuff, an on-campus “store” where students can shop for essentially anything a college student might need — from clothing to furniture and appliances.
Greg Severyn, associate professor of Spanish studies and director of sustainability at Susquehanna, described the store as an eco-conscious shopping option because it extends the life of clothing and other items, reducing waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.
“In terms of ecological sustainability, it means that items are not being thrown away but reused. This means less demand for new item production and all that comes with it, like energy, water, raw materials and transportation,” Severyn said. “We are also prolonging the life of existing products, which ultimately lowers our carbon footprint.”
When it comes to outfitting their on-campus rooms, suites or townhouses, students appreciate not having to purchase limited-use items. The store can also be a resource for students of limited financial means, as all products at Hawk Stuff, in Aspen Hall, are free and include:
- Small furniture (swivel desk chairs, end tables, nightstands, lamps, coffee tables, storage furniture)
- Home decor (string lights, artwork, mirrors, seasonal/holiday items)
- Clothing (including winter and career wear, shoes)
- Home goods (irons, ironing boards)
- Kitchen items (plates, bowls, bakeware, silverware, pots, pans, food storage containers)
- Linens (comforters, sheets, blankets, towels)
- Appliances (mini-fridges, microwaves, coffee makers, water filters, toasters)
- Area rugs
Donations are accepted year-round in a bin at Hawk Hub. For larger donations, whether in quantity or size, donors can email the sustainability office or Severyn directly to arrange a drop-off. There are also December and May donation drives as students leave campus for breaks.
Items not accepted at Hawk Stuff are ones that are prohibited in residence halls, such as hot plates and candles. The store also cannot accept full-size furniture due to storage limitations. Donations must be fully functional and useable; the store handles cleaning and sanitizing items as needed.
“We hope that Hawk Stuff can help shape our students’ long-term behavior or at the least, encourage them to think more critically about their consumption choices,” Severyn said.
Period care program offers free products
“Period stigma and period poverty are a problem for many who menstruate,” the Moscow, Pennsylvania, native explained. “Through my research as an environmental studies major and employee for the sustainability office, I learned that many period care products take 500 to 800 years to decompose in a landfill and may contain potentially harmful chemicals.”
All products, which are made by August, are hypoallergenic, made with 100% organic cotton and designed to break down and decompose much quicker than mainstream products. The company helps schools provide their products to their communities, and Rudat placed product bins containing liners, day pads, night pads and tampons of various absorbency at about 30 locations around campus.
“I have plans to expand to more locations on campus,” Rudat said. “I am passionate about reducing the period stigma, helping people who fall victim to period poverty and most importantly, making resources and supplies available to people who need them. I would love to help local schools begin initiatives like this as well.”