SUMMARY
I started the idea of Conscious Closet with a simple goal: to create a more sustainable way of attaining and getting rid of clothes. I created the Conscious Closet app with three main functions: a clothing donation locator, a clothing swapping chat, and in-person workshops to create a community that empowers people to reduce waste and embrace circular fashion. Conscious Closet matters because it not only helps reduce clothing waste but also fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility for the planet and all of the people that inhabit it.
challenge
I identified a gap in accessible and sustainable options for getting rid of old clothes. Many people want to reduce waste but struggle with finding donation locations that will actually benefit the community or planet. The idea of clothing swaps intrigues a lot of people but there are not many options in person or online in NYC. Conscious Closet addresses these needs by providing an easy-to-use donation locator and a platform for swapping clothes.
Outcome
At first, I was really set on the idea of clothing swapping. I had read about a community in Australia that hosted clothing swaps and how much their community loved and valued them. I wanted to push myself to find different solutions to my problem that not only benefited people first hand but also a larger community. I then realized I wanted to address the need for people to find donation centers and charity drives that were doing good and giving back to people in need instead of commercialized donation centers who secretly were shipping items to random places and landfills.
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