On Monday October 25, budget-conscious fashionistas across Australia will show their support for recycling by participating in the biggest clothes swapping party as part of National Swap Day.

Clothes swapping is not a new phenomenon – most of us at one time or another has swapped unwanted clothes with friends or family. However, ‘swapping instead of shopping’ events and services have been growing in popularity as Australians become more aware of the environmental impact of consumer waste. It is estimated that $1.7 billion of ‘fashion waste’ is created in Australia each year.

“Most of the wastage isn’t actually going to landfill, but rather is stuck in our homes, taking up valuable space in our wardrobes,” said Linda Vydra, the Melbourne Coordinator for The Clothing Exchange – the driving force behind National Swap Day.

The Clothing Exchange has been organising clothes swapping events to help recycle unwanted fashion since 2004. In a step to further increase awareness of fashion recycling, they will turn up the volume on this growing phenomenon to host the inaugural National Swap Day. The event is expected to attract close to one thousand women across the country.

“We’re running swap events in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. But we’re also encouraging women who live in regional areas who can’t make it to the event in their capital city, but would like to take part in National Swap Day, to contact us for a Regional Heroes swap kit, and host a swap with friends and neighbours in their own loungerooms,” Ms Vydra said.

For a $25 entry fee, participants can bring six items of unwanted clothing to the swap, and in exchange will receive six ‘buttons’ – the official swap currency – to select six new items to take home. Clothing must be in good condition, and are carefully screened before being accepted into the swap.

“We won’t accept items with pilling or holes, but otherwise we don’t judge the value of items on brand names or labels. People have their own personal style, and as long as the item is of good quality, and is of value to someone else, then we’re happy to accept it as part of the swap,” Ms Vydra said.

At the end of the night any unwanted items will be donated to Fitted For Work, a service committed to helping long term unemployed and disadvantaged women obtain employment.

“We’ll be sifting through the leftover garments for corporate wear, and anything suitable will be donated to them.”

People interested in attending National Swap Day can purchase their tickets directly from the Clothing Exchange website.

“We’re also offering a two-for-one deal for people on The Clothing Exchange database, so if people visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter, they can bring a friend along to the swap, meet some new people and go home with a new wardrobe.”

To support National Swap Day, visit http://www.planbig.com.au/National-Swap-Day

To obtain a Regional Heroes kit, contact Linda Vydra  via email on melbourne@clothingexchange.com.au

The Clothing Exchange
http://www.clothingexchange.com.au

Fitted For Work
http://www.fittedforwork.org

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

About the author

EthicalLiving.com.au

1 Comment for Rag trade goes national