Swap and Shop
Summer 2018 Issue
Stockton University Trading Post (Photo credit: Susan Allen)
The Stockton Trading Post is a sustainability initiative that opened for the first time this spring semester. Three students took on the project with support from the Sustainability Coordinator and 2020 funding. Their hard work has resulted in a new community space that fosters a sharing economy through trades, swaps, repairing and reuse.
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
Stockton University Trade Post
The goal of the Stockton Trading Post (STP) is to encourage sustainable habits on the Gallloway campus, but another benefit of the sharing economy is simply saving money. University community members have the option to trade gently worn clothes for something “new,” or swap unused household items for thrift goods they actually need.
During move-out, students have the option to donate whatever they can’t bring home. When they return in the fall, they can source needed dorm items through the STP instead of buying new things. Developing a reuse economy helps the environment by diverting waste from landfills, but it also curbs extraction from reserves of resources which our consumer economy is rapidly depleting.
In addition to a thrift and thread exchange, the STP serves as a sharing hub for tools, equipment and skills. Stockton community members looking to make a home repair have the option to borrow tools for a one-off job. Anyone looking to explore a new hobby can check out available equipment, including camping and backpacking supplies, to see if they enjoy it first. Skill-sharing workshops are also available to the community through the Stockton Trading Post. A schedule of interesting workshops teaching sustainable living skills is in the works for the fall. Check out the website to stay updated on workshops and see a list of tools and equipment available.
