TU Fix-It Fair highlights sustainable efforts

Towson University held its first ever Fix-It Fair at the Union.

By Sean Welsh on March 12, 2019

Towson University Fix It Fair

Towson University hosted its first ever “Fix-It Fair” on Tuesday at the University Union.

The event was organized through TU’s Office of Sustainability after the team's leadership learned of a similar event nearby last year.

“We got inspired by a fair at Station North,” said TU Environmental Planner Angela Ober.

TU staff, and groups from within the university, as well as outside organizations, offered a variety of opportunities to fix equipment, repair items or otherwise re-use belongings.

“We wanted to focus on wasting less,” Ober said. “The idea is that we’re giving something new life.”

Outside partners for the project included SewLab and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.

Patricia Watson, TU's Assistant Director of Sustainability, praised Ober's efforts in leading the event.

“Students seemed to really enjoyed the DIY component and appreciated the overall message of environmental stewardship,” Watson said.

She said some projects took some time to complete, but were worth the effort, and that organizers would be mindful of that in the future.

“This event was a part of the national RecycleMania competition. And while single-stream recycling is important, we also need to start thinking beyond the blue bin,” Watson said. “The Fix-It Fair was a hands-on demonstration that with a little effort and creativity, you can lead a low-waste lifestyle by caring for what you already have.”

TU’s Office of Sustainability also enhances other groups events through energy conservation, waste reduction, education, research and civic engagement. Last week, the office's staff joined in Tiger Pride Day to ensure that it was one of the first zero-waste events to be held in the State Capital.

TU's ranking as a Green Campus doesn't happen by accident.

TU supports a green building policy, campus metering, single-stream recycling, composting and a robust alternative transportation program.

On Tuesday, students were able to take advantage of bike repairs, fixes to computers and athletic equipment, and upcycling used clothing.

One of the upcycled clothing opportunities was provided to those donating an old Towson University-branded T-shirt in exchange for an exclusive T-shirt with the new TU brand mark on it.

The first of multiple T-shirt swaps to roll out the new institutional logo afforded students, faculty, staff & alumni to get their hands on a new shirt. And the sustainable bonus: the first 50 to bring in an old Towson University shirt were given the chance to upcycle it at the Fix It Fair — turning those old shirts into bags.

For those T-shirts turned in that aren’t among the first 50 destined to become a bag, TU’s Office of Sustainability will ensure they’re recycled in a responsible manner.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland.