Education
Ph.D. Resource Management and Sustainable Development, West Virginia University
M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences, West Virginia University
B.S., Textiles and Clothing, West Virginia University
Area of Expertise
Dr. Tracy Gainer Vash is at the research forefront of environmental sustainability. She developed the Vash Recycling Model (VRM), a multiphase prototype integrating community, education, and global sustainability. In two years, through VRM implementation, approximately 1,400,000 pounds of textiles were recycled.
Her ecological interest in post-consumer textile waste reduction prompted the creation and formation of The A-WEAR-ness Campaign for the Homeless ©. Dr. Vash pioneered the project through her Product Development class. She initially launched the clothing drive as a campus-wide endeavor and, over the years, the community involvement expanded to multi-state participation.
As a leading researcher at the pinnacle of textiles recycling, Dr. Vash collaborates with various communities and schools in West Virginia to advance and broaden her textiles recycling vision. She has written multiple grants to encourage and cultivate recycling expansion.
Dr. Tracy Gainer Vash and Governor Joe Manchin, III, at the REAP grant award ceremony. The REAP grant was written for The Mission by Dr. Vash as a community service project.
Related links
Waste & Recycling News: Homeless A-Wear-Ness: WVU professor starts campaign to recycle textiles on campus
WBOY Press Release: A-WEAR-Ness Campaign for the Homeless: The program places two permanent clothing recycling bins on WVU campus.
WVU Press Release: Faculty, staff and students help recycle marching band garb and more
Q&A: A look at apparel recycling
The Vash Recycling Model
Dissertation – Integrating Community, Education, and Global Sustainability: The Vash Recycling Model
Apparel Recycling Website
Piece of the Pride© Catalog
Piece of the Pride© video
Food and Living Article: WVU class recycling old band uniforms
Classes
FDM 230: Production and Fit
FDM 235: Product Development
FDM 300: Practicum
Service
The Clarksburg Mission, Textile Recycling Consultant
