Redbridge residents can switch their old clothes for new ones at a clothes swap event to make fashion more sustainable.
The swap, set up by the East London Waste Authority and Redbridge Council, aims to help reduce clothing waste in the UK, as an estimated 350,000 tonnes of clothing is thrown away every year.
Trends change rapidly, meaning fashion industries are using unsustainable amounts of water, fossil fuels and energy to keep up with the constant turnover of clothing.
The environment keeps taking hits due to this craving for a new wardrobe, with many manufacturing processes being associated with chemicals, waste and pollution.
Residents can attend the event at Wanstead Library, Spratt Hall Road, on Wednesday June 19 from 5pm-7pm.
The free event includes refreshments, clothing upcycling and up to five ‘new to you’ items.
Locals can bring along good condition accessories and clothing for a rolling ‘drop and swap.’
It’s time to think about how throwing away clothes is costing the environment as well as your wallet.
“With fashion trends changing fast, and cheap clothing readily available online and on the high street, it might be tempting to change wardrobes often,” said Redbridge Council neighbourhood manager Joanne Smallman.
“One of the easiest ways we can all play a part to help tackle climate change is to reduce, re-use and recycle, and clothing is a good place to start.”
If you can’t make the date but still want to fight back against wasteful fashion, then you can head to Redbridge Council’s website to find out how to help reduce waste in the borough. The information-packed webpage provides tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle clothing, as well as the eco-friendly way to dress for less.
The council is also offering a local doorstep collection service for unwanted clothes by teaming up with the UK clothing charity TRAID. It’s free, bookable and all donated items go to TRAID’s charity shop that uses its sales to fund and resource social projects and activities aimed at tackling clothing waste.
Booking a TRAID clothing collection can be done by going to: https://traid.org.uk/redbridge-collections/
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