Prof Swap brings the circular economy to the Rowan community

Instead of buying something new, trade what you don’t use for something new to you.

That’s the premise behind Prof Swap, an event that encourages Rowan students, faculty and staff to exchange gently used items for someone else’s. There’s no money involved, but there are gains. Participants clear out clutter and bring home clothes and items they’ll use.

At the first Prof Swap Dec. 6 in Business Hall, donors traded used clothing, books and board games for tickets to spend on others’ donated items. More than 230 students, faculty and staff attended, swapping more than 600 items and donating more than 1,000.

“We’re creating a circular economy,” said Aarushi Gupta, a 21-year-old MBA fellow from Marlton who facilitated the event. “Instead of engaging in more consumerism, you're participating in the economy by trading for things that have been previously used.”

A circular economy minimizes waste in production and consumption, Gupta explained. On the consumer side, that means buying fewer new items and more pre-owned stuff.

“Hopefully, we’re keeping some things out of the landfill by swapping them,” Gupta said.

Gupta organized the event as part of her project for Social Impact Marketing for Sustainability MBA Fellowship. The event was co-sponsored by the Center for Responsible Leadership, the Rowan Environmental Action League and the Rohrer Center for Professional Development. 

“Prof Swap was a terrific pilot project emphasizing the circular economy concept,” said Dr. Jordan P. Howell, director of the Rowan Center for Responsible Leadership and associate professor of sustainable business. “It combines entrepreneurial thinking with other business skills, all around a sustainability theme.”

For some students, Prof Swap was an opportunity to ditch clothes that are no longer their style for clothes that better fit their fashion sense. For others, the event was a chance to affordably acquire gender-affirming clothing.

“It was really meaningful to me to have the facilities to provide that opportunity to someone,” Gupta said.

Gupta drew inspiration from popular sustainable activities like thrifting and made those activities more accessible to students by essentially bringing the thrift store to them.

“The goal was to incorporate sustainability into Rowan community members' lives through daily sustainable actions that are affordable and accessible to students,” said Gupta.

All members of the Rowan community are welcome to participate in upcoming events, no matter how much or how little they have to donate. Just showing up gets attendees a ticket, even if they have nothing to swap. 

Additional events will take place March 19 and April 24. While the December Prof Swap encompassed books and board games, March and April’s events will feature items like office supplies, art supplies and dorm décor. Clothing, including donations left over from the previous Prof Swap, will remain a staple.

“I’m going to graduate this year, and I'd really love to see this event continue,” she said.

Gupta welcomes volunteer interest (guptaa67@students.rowan.edu) in running future Prof Swap events.