A new student-led initiative at University of the Pacific is helping to keep clothing and other items out of the landfill while creating leadership and hands-on learning opportunities. 

Tiger Thrift opened in September in Raymond Lodge through a partnership between the Office of Sustainability and the student governing body ASUOP, which initially came up with the idea. The items are available to students at no cost.

“We wanted it to be like a pantry, but for clothes, because we get a lot of donations at the end of the year,” said ASUOP President Husna Naim ’27. “We brought this idea to the director of sustainability and brainstormed with them on how we should build this up, and how we would take initiative once we built it.”

More than 100 students came on opening day. The store fills a need for students while supporting Pacific’s sustainability initiatives.

“Tiger Thrift is a perfect example of taking a problem—textile waste in landfills and students wanting an exchange space—and turning it into a beneficial solution,” said Senior Sustainability Director Jessica Bilecki. “We hope by having this year-round place, students will have easier access to stylish, affordable clothing and there will be less to collect at move out.”

Instead of waiting to obtain unwanted belongings, Tiger Thrift keeps clothing in circulation throughout the academic year.

“Students will often move through a lot of clothes throughout the school year,” said Tierra Smithson, assistant director of ASUOP. “If something’s not serving them anymore, they can donate it and maybe get something new.”

Students can select up to two items for free per visit. The store relies primarily on donations from the campus community. Faculty, staff and students can drop off items in gray donation bins on the first floor of Raymond Lodge, and donations aren't limited to clothing.

"We look for anything. It could be clothes, shoes, accessories, even lamps. Anything people want to throw away, they can bring it to us. It could be a microwave," Naim said. "Our store is small, but we can store things and give them a second life."

Tiger Thrift is collecting data to measure its environmental impact. A microfunding award of about $1,000, obtained through San Joaquin County's Recycling Market Development Zone Project, helped purchase a scale that allows student workers to weigh items leaving the store. The data can be used to track landfill and waste diversion over time. The funding also paid for clothing racks and organizational materials.

The benefits also go beyond the clothing. The store gives students hands-on experience in leadership, inventory management, hospitality and day-to-day operations. With guidance from Smithson, students determine the store's hours, marketing strategies, access policies and other operational decisions.

They are already exploring ways to expand the program, including developing an online inventory and potentially creating a system for obtaining monetary donations. Future efforts may also include clothing repair, so items that are usable but need minor fixes could be repaired rather than discarded.

During the fall 2026 semester, Tiger Thrift is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 1-2 p.m. and Thursdays from 3-5 p.m.