TreeRacks

A student-run circular fashion initiative keeping clothes on the Farm and out of the trash.

The Problem

Every June, hundreds of pounds of clothing end up in dumpsters and donation bins across Stanford as students move out for the summer. Some items make it to local nonprofits. Most do not. Perfectly wearable clothes still get thrown away because there is no easy system for keeping them in circulation.

Students already want secondhand options. The problem is access. Affordable thrift stores are far from campus, and most nearby retail is priced out of reach for students.

TreeRacks started as an attempt to close that gap.

The Launch

Grand opening at the Stanford d.school, February 2026

In February 2026, TreeRacks hosted its grand opening pop-up at Stanford's d.school. In just three hours, over 250 students came through the doors, raised more than $1,000, and kept 350+ pounds of textiles out of landfills.

The response was immediate. Nearly every attendee surveyed supported the idea of a permanent thrift space on campus.

$1,000⁺ raised at our first pop-up in three hours

350⁺ pounds of textiles diverted from landfill, and counting

250⁺ students through our grand opening

95% of attendees want a permanent thrift space on campus

How It Works

Schedule a Pickup

I built a web app that lets students, alumni, and Bay Area residents schedule clothing pickups directly. The system helps our team coordinate donations across campus and the surrounding area, making donation easier than throwing clothes away.

From donation request to pickup claim — the full flow.

Priced Thoughtfully

Every item is priced to move. Most pieces sell for 10 to 30% of retail. We use a consistent methodology so prices feel fair, not arbitrary.

Brand & Condition Brand, condition, category, and demand all factor into pricing. A like-new Patagonia jacket prices differently than a worn basic tee.

Trend, Category & Fit Outerwear and denim hold value. Currently trending styles or hard-to-find sizes can go a bit higher, but supply and demand still applies.

Always a Fraction of Retail The deal is the point. Items aren't priced to maximize revenue, they're priced to move into a closet where they actually get worn.

Nothing Goes to Waste

Unsold clothes go to approved local nonprofit partners like The Opportunity Center in Palo Alto and Goodwill. Textiles too worn to resell are sent to on-campus partners like the Textile Makerspace and GSE Makery.

Every item has a next life.

Looking Ahead

The pop-up showed there was real demand for an affordable secondhand clothing space on campus. More than 250 students came through in three hours, and many asked when we’d be back. TreeRacks is now working toward a permanent space at Stanford where students can browse, donate, and buy secondhand clothing year-round.