The North Lounge in Campion Student Center was a little bit greener as the second annual Conscious Consumer Market took place on Dec. 5. The market was hosted by the Fair Trade Club in hopes to promote more sustainable consumer habits, raise money for different organizations and showcase sustainable businesses.
The market included vendors that use sustainable practices, relate to the surrounding community or are fair trade.
“There are three main parts of fair trade,” Olivia O’Reilly ’20, member of the Fair Trade Club, said. “There’s sustainability and making sure everything is green for the environment, making sure there are livable wages and good working conditions, and making sure things go back to the community.”
Vendors included student businesses, community organizations and fair trade companies.
As shoppers explored each vendor, they drank hot cocoa from their own reusable mugs, which was encouraged by the Fair Trade Club as a way to limit the amount of waste the event produced. In addition, a variety of vegan baked treats were available for purchase with the profits going to different organizations like the Global Fund for Women and the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
O’Reilly said the time of year for this event to happen was important.
“As the holidays are approaching and everybody’s buying things, it’s really important that you are using your power of purchase for ethical means and for a greater good,” O’Reilly said.
Madison Cassel ’20, president of the Fair Trade Club, explained that as students, we have an important role during this holiday season.
“We have to look at how we shop and consume and try to do our best to cut down on waste, and also pick brands that are ethical and conscious,” Cassel said. “The holidays are that time where you can overspend and overbuy, so if you’re going to buy, make sure you’re doing it with purpose in mind.”
Maurice Jones represented People Advancing Reintegration (PAR) Recycle Works at the market, selling t-shirts and hats as well as collecting technology waste. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to recycle electronics and help formerly incarcerated men and women transition into the workplace.
Jones explained that PAR-Recycle Works has a continued partnership with St. Joe’s through Weekly Service and Magis service program students.
“Having the students being involved with the community as a whole makes a difference,” Jones said. “People are coming from all over the world to come to St. Joe’s and Philadelphia and there’s a lot of help that those students can provide by working together and serving others.”
Cassel said having this type of event, especially during the holidays is important to have on campus.
“Events like this really go in hand with the St. Joe’s values,” Cassel said. “Care for things big and small, care for the whole person, and that’s kind of what these brands stand for.”
