Ideaz

College students constantly cycle through books, clothes, and gadgets but most of these end up unused, stored away, or thrown out. At the same time, many students struggle to afford essentials or spend extra money buying new items they only need for a short time. Current solutions like thrift stores or online resale platforms are either unavailable on campus, inconvenient, or unsafe to use within a college community.

EcoSwap solves this by creating a student-only thrift and exchange app where peers can buy, sell, or swap items directly on campus. From textbooks, lab equipment, and calculators to clothes, cycles, and electronics, EcoSwap ensures resources are reused instead of wasted. The platform uses verified student profiles for safety and offers cashless in-app payments or barter options for maximum flexibility.

Who benefits?

• Students saving money: They get access to affordable second-hand essentials.

• Students selling: They earn extra income while decluttering.

• The community: It reduces campus waste and promotes sustainable consumption.

This problem matters to me because I’ve seen so many usable items go to waste at the end of every semester, while new students struggle to afford the same things. By encouraging reuse within the student community, EcoSwap not only saves money but also builds a culture of sustainability on campus.

With features like a product listing feed, swap requests, and eco-points that reward active participation, EcoSwap can transform how students think about consumption and waste.

One of the biggest challenges students face in college is the high cost of academic and hostel essentials such as textbooks, lab equipment, calculators, bicycles, and even basic room supplies. At the same time, many seniors often throw away or abandon these items when they graduate. This creates both a financial burden for juniors and unnecessary waste on campus.

Existing platforms like OLX or Amazon are not tailored for students. They are too broad, require long-distance delivery, and often involve strangers outside campus, which reduces trust and convenience. Campus notice boards or WhatsApp groups are informal and disorganized, making it difficult to find the right item at the right time.

My idea is Campus ThriftHub, a student-exclusive marketplace where peers can buy, sell, or exchange pre-owned items safely within the campus community. This can be implemented as a simple mobile app or web platform linked to student IDs for verification. Sellers can upload photos of their items, set affordable prices, and buyers can connect instantly for quick handovers on campus.

Who benefits?

• Buyers (juniors): Access affordable resources and save money.
• Sellers (seniors): Earn extra pocket money while clearing out unused items.
• Community: Campus waste reduces, promoting sustainability.