A record number of swaps were made at Dacorum Borough Council’s Sustainable Clothes Swaps.
The events took place in October at the Forum in Hemel Hempstead and in September at Berkhamsted Civic Centre, where 200 people attended.
Over 1,400 pieces of clothing were donated and 96 per cent of those were taken to a new home.
Attendees brought a maximum of 10 items which they could swap for other pieces of clothing for free.
If residents bought the clothing as new, 8.5 tonnes of CO2e would have been used to produce them. That’s the equivalent of driving around the equator.
The textile industry contributes 10 per cent to global carbon emissions.
There was also the opportunity at the end of the event for residents in need to take clothes without a donation. A total of 40 pieces of clothing were given out.
Any winter clothing that wasn’t taken was donated to the Air Ambulance and Cancer Research UK charities.
Hertfordshire residents get rid of 7,000 tonnes of textiles each year that could have been re-worn, recycled, or repaired.
The clothes swaps have run for four years and aim to reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion.
The next event is the Spring Swap, which will run in March 2023.
One way to reduce your fashion carbon footprint is by taking care of your clothes. By using a wash filter, you can catch microplastics before they end up in the water system.
Buying second-hand pieces is another way to lower your impact.
Instead of throwing old clothes in the bin, try upcycling them into something new, or sell or donate them.
You can find more tips at https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/recycling-waste-and-environment/recycling-and-waste/wasteaware-campaigns/textiles/textiles.aspx
Picture credit Dacorum Borough Council
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