Bout-iful gear and it’s all free
A new Hamilton store is changing the face of charity shops with an innovative clothes recycling scheme.
R:evolve Recycle has launched a new boutique swap shop on Cadzow Street in the town centre, offering high street fashion - for free.
The aim is to reduce waste and co2 emissions through textiles, while educating people on the impact that manufacturing and distribution of clothing has on the environment.
Customers are encouraged to swap their old, unwanted and ill-fitting clothes for something pre-loved, free of charge.
Those donating old clothes will be issued with a membership card that allows them to accumulate points which can then be exchanged for other items of clothing.
Wendy Russell, Sustainability Development Manager, said: “We’re so excited to have opened a new shop in Hamilton. Our project has gone from strength to strength over the past year, and it’s all thanks to the hard work of our amazing volunteers and the loyalty and passion of our shop members. If you’re interested in finding out more about the project or volunteering with us, please drop into the shop in Cadzow Street and have a chat with one of the volunteers or staff.”
To celebrate the opening, which took place on Friday, July 29, creative volunteers showed off their skills by constructing a paper dress, made completely of copies of the Hamilton Advertiser.
The impressive creation was put together by the Trashion Fashion group from Cambuslang Universal Connections, with donations of some old unused newspapers from the Advertiser office.
R:evolve Recycle is operated by Lightburn Elderly Association Project (LEAP), which also operates the Hands On Project and LEAP classes.
The project already operates two successful swap shops in Rutherglen and Cambuslang.
The new shop in Hamilton will be open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 10am and 4pm.
R:evolve also run a series of upcycling and sewing workshops, and have a range of volunteering opportunities available – including swap shop assistants, clothes sorters and workshop facilitators/assistants.
Call Kate on 01698 907004 to become involved with the project.