Eco warrior hosts sustainable ‘swapping’ spree

Sunday 01 March 2020

A local eco-warrior is hosting a clothes ‘swapping spree’ next week to send islanders a message about the environmental impact of fast fashion.

Keen to raise awareness about how wasteful clothes production can be, Geraldine Cardwell is putting on a ‘Swap ‘til you drop’ event to show that buying new isn’t the only way to change up your wardrobe.

Having lived a plastic-free lifestyle for the last three years, Geraldine is no stranger to living sustainably. She says that on average, people wear just 20% of the clothes they own 80% of the time, whilst the rest sits unused in drawers and wardrobes.

Geraldine hopes that this event will give islanders the chance to swap pre-loved clothes instead of buying new; saving money and reducing their carbon footprints at the same time.

Speaking about the waste produced by the fashion industry, Geraldine said: “We need to change our attitudes about buying clothes and instead develop more sustainable habits. It takes 2,720 litres of water to make one cotton shirt and 7,000 litres for a pair of jeans. 

“Then we just get rid of clothes when we don’t want them anymore. Every year £140m worth of UK clothing ends up in landfills. That’s criminal, terrifying and another way we are all adding to the climate crisis.”

The theme of the event, which is taking place on 5 March at Jersey Museum from 17:00, is all the 'J's' - jumpers, jackets, jumpsuits and jeans. Although other smart items are welcome there is no ‘jumble’ allowed!

Pictured: The swapping event hopes to raise awareness about the wastefulness of the fashion industry.

There will also be a short talk about the impact of fast fashion at 17:45. 

Anyone wanting to take part is asked to: 

• select three to five items of clothing in good condition to bring along;
• make sure they are clean, ironed and in tip-top condition;
• bring them to the museum on hangers if possible;
• wear leggings and a vest to make trying things on easier.

Every item will be checked for quality and swappers will be given a token for each piece as well as a free drink included in the ticket price.

Profits from the event will be going to local charity Trees for Life.