Swap 'til you drop with sustainable and fashionable new council kit
Laura Byrne, Dee Sewell, Tommie Hickson and Siobhain Kealy with some of the ‘Swap Shop’ clothes available at the launch of the Free to Borrow Clothing Swap Kit in the offices of Carlow County Council offices Photos: michaelorourkephotography.ie
IN A FASHIONABLE move towards sustainability, Carlow County Council recently unveiled its new clothing swap kit, offering local communities a chance to refresh their wardrobes without impacting their wallets or the environment.
The initiative, which follows a successful pop-up event held with Change Clothes and Carlow College during Climate Action Week 2024, provides groups with all the essentials needed to host their own clothing exchange events.
“Hosting clothing swaps gives people an opportunity to update their wardrobes without it costing the earth,” said Coilín O'Reilly, CEO of Carlow County Council.
“Swap Shops help to foster a sense of community and show how we can make small changes in our daily lives to reduce our carbon footprint.”
The kit includes four heavy-duty clothing rails, a starter pack of clothes and hangers, tokens, a mirror, event-planning guides and promotional posters.
Communities can book the kit free of charge by contacting the council’s environment department.
Environmental awareness officer Dee Sewell highlighted the urgent need for such initiatives, noting that “there are currently enough clothes in circulation to clothe the next six generations”.
The programme aims to address global textile waste while supporting the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption.
Top tips for hosting a successful clothing swap Planning to organize a swap? Here are some recommendations suggested by Carlow County Council:
● Set clear item limits: Keep things manageable by specifying a range of five to ten items per person. This ensures fairness and prevents overwhelming donations
● Choose your swap scope: Decide whether you’ll accept only clothing or include accessories like bags and scarves. For health and safety, exclude items like underwear and swimwear
● Add educational value: Consider incorporating a repair café, where participants can learn basic mending skills, or invite local alteration services to demonstrate their expertise
● Plan for leftovers: While the council kit must be returned with its original amount of clothing, extra items can be donated to local charities or the County Carlow Development Partnership Be Kind project.
To book the Clothing Swap Kit or learn more, contact environment@carlowcoco.ie or call 059 9136231.
