April 10, 2025
Thrifted Threads, a new student-led pop-up thrift shop at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Waterloo campus, is giving pre-loved Laurier clothing new life at budget-friendly prices.
Founded by Maia Flinton, a third-year Business Administration student, Thrifted Threads aims to promote sustainable shopping habits and reduce the university’s carbon footprint by selling low-cost, second-hand Laurier apparel.
Thrifted Threads is seeking donated items to stock the shop for opening day on May 6. Laurier-branded clothing, including T-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, jackets and hats, can be dropped off at The Hawk Shop during regular business hours. Donations can also be shipped to Thrifted Threads courtesy of The Hawk Shop, 75 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ont., N2L 3C5.
Laurier student Maia Flinton. Photo by Sam Simner.
Donations should be in good shape and free from rips or stains. Student volunteers will audit donations for quality assurance and wash them ahead of resale.
“Through Thrifted Threads, I hope to encourage the Laurier community to shop more sustainably and raise awareness about the harmful impact of the fashion industry on the environment,” says Flinton. “Who better to enjoy pre-owned Laurier clothing than current students on a budget. I think Thrifted Threads will be a win-win for the Laurier community.”
Flinton says Thrifted Threads directly addresses the issue of clothing waste, a growing concern worldwide. According to the United Nations’ Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, the average consumer buys 60 per cent more pieces of clothing than 15 years ago and keeps each item only half as long.
Flinton secured financial support for Thrifted Threads through the Sustainable Hawk Fund, which provides funding to Laurier community members to bring green-minded campus initiatives to life, and received operational support from The Hawk Shop, Laurier’s campus bookstore and retailer.
“Collaborating with Maia has allowed The Hawk Shop to realize the vision for a campus thrift shop dedicated to the resale of pre-owned Laurier clothing,” says Mary Andraza, manager of retail purchasing at The Hawk Shop. “We are very excited to see Thrifted Threads come to life with Maia’s energy and enthusiasm and welcome donations from the Laurier community.”
Thrifted Threads is among The Hawk Shop’s many sustainability initiatives, which include stocking eco-friendly stationery and paper supplies and discontinuing the use of plastic shopping bags.
“Through Thrifted Threads, I hope to encourage the Laurier community to shop more sustainably and raise awareness about the harmful impact of the fashion industry on the environment.”
Maia Flinton: Business Administration student, Thrifted Threads founder
Pending success at Laurier’s Waterloo campus, Flinton hopes to expand Thrifted Threads to Laurier’s Brantford and Milton campuses by the fall of 2026.
Laurier is committed to raising awareness, inspiring action and implementing initiatives that address economic, environmental and social challenges to create a more sustainable future.
Laurier is one of five postsecondary institutions in Canada recognized as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, a prestigious designation awarded to universities that have a strong focus on social innovation and offer opportunities for students to develop the skills and mindset required to address complex social challenges.
Globally, the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings placed Laurier among the top 15 per cent of universities working toward the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to address challenges including poverty and climate change.
Laurier is among the top 15 per cent of global universities working toward the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Visit Laurier’s Sustainability Action Plan web page to learn more about sustainability initiatives at the university or contact the Sustainability Office to get involved.
