Ahfachkee School Climate Justice and Equity Clothing Recycling Drive

Project Summary

Students at Ahfachkee School on the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Big Cypress Reservation organized a 45-day clothing recycling drive to address climate justice and equity issues, educating their community about the fashion industry’s environmental impact while collecting clothing donations for the local homeless shelter.

Detailed Story

The Ahfachkee School’s Science Department led students and neighboring communities in engaging with climate justice and equity issues through a comprehensive clothing recycling initiative. Located in the Big Cypress National Preserve in Clewiston, Florida, with connections to the Immokalee reservation and surrounding communities of Immokalee, Clewiston, and Labelle, the project utilized TCI’s Climate Justice and Equity Learning Lab and Climate Action Tool Kits including Capsule Wardrobe, Closet Revamp, Community Conversations, Differences Between Compostable and Biodegradable, and Wardrobe Diet. Five high school science classes (two environmental science, one biology, one physical science, and one chemistry) plus the Student Government Association learned to understand how diverse communities experience climate change impacts unequally, with vulnerable populations facing higher temperatures, food insecurity, natural disasters, lack of clean water access, and increased air pollution. Students explored their relationship with clothing and the fashion industry, understanding how over-consumption contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The project aimed to organize the “Ahfachkee Clothing Recycling Drive” to help the community understand factors changing local climate patterns and increasing temperatures that destroy forests and the local migrant agriculture economy. The initiative increased awareness about donating and recycling used clothing and textiles instead of discarding them to landfills, while providing clothing to those in need and protecting the local agriculture industry. Students learned how addressing climate change aids in reducing greenhouse gas generation that destroys soil, agriculture, habitats, and biodiversity on Big Cypress and Immokalee Reservations. The Seminole message emphasized stopping over-consumption by changing relationships with clothing material selection (compostable and biodegradable), reducing clothing needs through timeless wardrobes, and avoiding fashion industry fads that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Students were empowered to interact and increase their advocacy for issues related to lowering GHG emissions through motivation, civic duty, and media campaigns including flyers, posters, social media, service announcements, and meeting speeches. Twenty large trash bags of donated clothing and textiles were collected and given to the local Immokalee Friendship House homeless shelter serving men, women, and children.

Impact Statement

Students successfully collected twenty large trash bags of clothing and textiles that were donated to the local homeless shelter, directly supporting vulnerable community members while reducing textile waste going to landfills. The project educated 49 students about climate justice and equity issues, helping them understand how fashion industry consumption patterns contribute to climate change and disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. Students developed advocacy skills through media campaigns and community engagement, overcoming challenges related to social media pressures that equate clothing abundance with personal worth. The initiative established a twice-yearly clothing drive program and plans for a future tribal-wide clothing swap, creating lasting impact beyond the initial project