If you’re bored of what’s in your drawers (and cupboards), you’ll love the Stroud Valleys Project Eco Clothes Swap on Saturday, March 9th. It’s a fun way to reboot your wardrobe, without costing the earth.
“Have a good old rummage through your clothes,” says Kerri Tyler from Stroud Valleys Project (SVP).
“Drop anything that no longer brings you joy to our eco shop in central Stroud by Friday March 8th, and we’ll give you a coupon to exchange for new-to-you goodies on Saturday, March 9th between 10am and 2pm.
“You can bring clothing for all ages and genders, as well as accessories and good-quality shoes, as long as they have plenty of wear left in them.”
The Eco Clothes Swap has been running since 2021 and attracts enthusiastic fashion-forward fans who are keen to refresh their look for free. But the community event also has a serious side: reducing landfill and microplastics.
“The fashion industry uses lots of water and petrochemicals,” explains SVP’s CEO Clare Mahdiyone. “Microfibres from artificial fabrics enter our water supply, ending up in our drinking water and inside fish and other water-dwelling life.
“The increasing demand for clothes, often made by people working in poor conditions for very low pay, means we end up with huge amounts of waste – we’re buying double the amount of clothing we did 15 years ago but keeping clothes for half as long.
“There are various repair shops and mending circles around the district to help your clothes last longer – and our Eco Clothes Swap is free, which means everyone can get a wardrobe reboot just for donating trousers, tops and skirts they’ve fallen out of love with.
“We need plenty of clothing to make the event a success, especially men’s and children’s clothing – so please bring them in to the shop by Friday 8 March… but do wash them first!
“If you don’t have any clothes to donate, you can still take part; simply donate to our charity to get your hands on a few pre-loved pieces. We welcome donations for swaps, and all the money donated goes back into our charity work to keep Stroud’s people and nature thriving together.”
