UT Dallas students will prove that one man’s trash truly is another man’s treasure when they mark Earth Day on Friday with a “trashion” show and a clothing and electronics recycling drive. 

Activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Union mall area and the bookstore parking lot. 

The trashion show will feature creative fashions made out of recycled goods and trash. Students, faculty and staff are welcomed to join in the show, scheduled for 1 p.m. at the mall plinth.  

At the bookstore lot, the UT Dallas GeoClub will host a clothing and electronics recycling drive.  The World Wear Project and E Recycler will be on hand to collect donations. Items accepted include:

Earth Day 2011
  • Clothing/accessories.
  • Stuffed animals.
  • Housewares.
  • Sporting goods.                                               
  • Computer equipment.
  • Printers.
  • Televisions.
  • Appliances.
  • Cell phones and chargers.
  • DVD players.
  • Batteries.

The events are coordinated by the GeoClub and the group Students for Environmental Awareness, in partnership with other student life organizations. Throughout the day, the groups will hand out fliers about “green” nonprofits and upcoming volunteer opportunities, such as Earth Day Dallas, the University’s apartment recycling program, Adopt-A-Highway, Heritage Farmstead in Plano, and more.

There will also be an informal brownbag lunch from noon to 1 p.m. at the Community Garden for those who have plots in the garden, members of the garden club, or anyone who might be interested in a plot. Located between the soccer fields and Waterview Park apartments Phase II, the Community Garden gives students, faculty and staff the space to grow fresh fruits and vegetables.

In the University’s Office of Student Volunteerism (OSV), Earth Day celebrations kicked off last week with Senior Service Saturday at the Live Green Expo in Plano. Several UT Dallas seniors served as “green ambassadors” for the event. Another OSV group visited Heritage Farmstead to help spruce up the grounds and facilities. 

To learn more about green volunteer opportunities — or an array of other volunteer activities — students are encouraged to visit the OSV on the third floor of the Student Services Building.