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  • 1.  Sustainable reuse ideas for old polyester department tablecloths

    Posted 07-12-2021 18:27
    Recent other duties as assigned...order 46 tablecloths with 20 different wordmarks on them for the entire area of Student Engagement & Programs - fun coordination! A couple years ago our Division of Student Affairs was absorbed into the Division of Student Success and all our department tablecloths included reference to the Division name. New cloths simply have the university logo and the department name (with no division reference) since we finally had the funds to do a wholesale replacement of all the cloths.  

    So now...I'm looking for creative repurposing of all the old department tablecloths - all are in royal blue, polyester fabric, sized for 6' tables (appx. 5' x 10') with department names printed in white. I'm seeking suggestions that meet two goals: 1) repurpose the fabric so that it's not simply thrown out. 2) Ideally provide some assurance that departments won't continue to use the old style cloths where they're not supposed to (and the university logo and names doesn't show up in places where we don't want it to be in use). I'm thinking somehow the fabric will be cut up so it's no longer good for a tablecloth?  I'm anticipating I will have 40-50 cloths to be repurposed, which is a LOT of fabric!  

    What could that alternative use be? Looking forward to hearing your innovative and creative ideas! Go!

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    Gail Sutton
    Director, Student Life
    Georgia State University
    Atlanta, GA
    gsutton@gsu.edu
    404-413-1885
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  • 2.  RE: Sustainable reuse ideas for old polyester department tablecloths

    Posted 07-13-2021 08:04
    Below are a few ideas:
    • Create super hero capes
    • Upcycle them into farewell retirement blankets
    • Send them to theatre and dance to be cut up into costumes
    • Upcycle the fabric into university pep band outfits
    • Drop cloths for university painting projects
    • Use the fabric to make dog outfits and toys
    • Send them to the art department for an art installation
    • Send them to the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design for their textile program for students to use 


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    Gregory Wilkins
    Associate Director, Centennial Student Union & Student Activities
    Minnesota State University–Mankato
    Mankato MN
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  • 3.  RE: Sustainable reuse ideas for old polyester department tablecloths

    Posted 07-14-2021 09:12
    Great ideas, Gregory. Thanks!
    Victoria


    Victoria Angis (she, her, hers)
    Associate Dean of Students
    Castleton University
    49 University Dr.
    Castleton, VT 05735
    802-468-1231
    Fax: 802-468-1357

    Think Green! do you really need to print this?


                          






  • 4.  RE: Sustainable reuse ideas for old polyester department tablecloths

    Posted 07-15-2021 10:26
    With the help of a crafty student, we sewed reusable produce/shopping bags out of old polo shirts and gave them away at our food pantry.

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    Susan Buckenmeyer
    University of Texas at Austin
    Austin TX
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