EDITORIAL: From the desk of the Roundup

Giving back, while helping others in need

Empty binders taking up space on the shelf.

Miscellaneous crafting supplies from an art elective.

These items that sit unused by one student could find a new life and purpose in the hands of another.

Many colleges and universities, including UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UCLA and UC Riverside, have “Buy Nothing” groups. Hundreds of these communities exist in California alone, mainly as private Facebook groups that cover one or two neighborhoods each.

Per their website, the Buy Nothing Project describes the groups as a way for people to give and receive, share, lend and express gratitude through a worldwide gift economy network.

In addition to a private Facebook group, Pierce College can have a small space on campus dedicated to “buy nothing” items for students to exchange.

A small supply room on campus with school or basic home items in good condition can be a communal space to not only spend less money, but it also can cut down on waste.

The general rules of the project are explained in a Los Angeles Times article, by Ronald D. White—no buying, selling, trading, bartering or dumping unwanted things.

On campus, there are unused classrooms…

Students at Pierce

The project could be run by a “buy nothing” club in which volunteers organize item intake…