The East Northumberland Secondary School (ENSS) Environmental Club’s “Chique Boutique” celebrated its two-year anniversary in December and reached an impressive milestone, ENSS teacher Anne Falla tells us more.
The Chique Boutique, is an initiative of the ENSS Environmental club and is operated at the school as a thrift store. Members of the Environmental Club encourage staff and students to donate their used clothing and household items to the Boutique that are then either purchased or given away as part of their “Giveaway Day” programs.
“After learning about the environmental costs of fast fashion, students started gathering and redistributing donations of used clothing and household items in order to keep these items out of landfill sites,” said Falla. “Our club members clean and organize the donations and set up the items in the Boutique for sale and recently at the December Holiday “Giveaway Day”, where items are free, many students were able to complete their holiday shopping for their families and there was also delicious treats, prepared and donated by retired teacher, Martha Warren for students too.”
The Environmental Club has a permanent space in the school for storing donated clothing and small household items. The space is equipped with three clothing racks, counter space, shelves, cupboards and tables. Giveaway Days happen every other Thursday, but staff and students can access the Boutique any day. The Giveaway Days sound so fun, it could make parents jealous.
Members of the environmental club count and weigh all redistributed items to track materials that have been shared, reused, and kept out of landfill. This December they reached a milestone. As of December, 2023, 3580 people had visited the Boutique, taking home 5505 items, weighing 1,235 kg. In its two years of operation, more than one metric tonne of materials has been diverted from landfill and taken home by ENSS students and staff.
Donations are accepted from a network of donors from outside the school, too. Donations can be dropped off at the main office at the school during regular school hours. The program is supported financially by Brighton Clothing and Treasures and The Rotary Club of Brighton. Local knitters Linda Carr and Maureen Campeau provide hand-knitted scarves and hats for Giveaway Days and the Brighton by the Bay community donate beautiful items often.
Clothing donations include winter coats, hats, scarves, mitts, pants, socks, shirts, sweaters, ball caps, shorts, skirts and dresses. Other popular items include mugs, dinner plates, small toys, decorations, craft supplies, books, jewelry, cosmetics (including soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lip balms), or puzzles. Falla says they want to expand their horizons for service.
“Students from the environmental club are proud of passing the 1 tonne milestone of materials diverted from landfill and they are grateful for the support of students, staff and the community on this project,” added Falla.
For more information about the Environmental Club or ENSS visit East Northumberland Secondary School (kprdsb.ca).
Written by: Alicia Vandine
