Clothes swap success for green Lochaber group
LOCHABER Environmental Group hosted a clothes swap in November as part of the ninth annual Christmas Festival in Fort William.
More than 30 people came along to swap clothes they no longer wanted for something ‘new’.
Through their Lochaber Energy and Waste project, which is supported by the Scottish Government’s climate challenge fund, Lochaber Environmental Group is promoting reuse and sharing in Lochaber.
The clothes swap, held in Duncansburgh MacIntosh Church Hall, provided an opportunity for people to get some new clothes without spending a penny and give some unloved clothes a new lease of life. People brought along a total 80kg of clothes, 30kg of which was swapped on the night. The rest of the clothes were donated to local charities – Lochaber Supports Refugees and the British Heart Foundation shop.
People loved the idea of a clothes swap, with attendees expressing their love of the idea, with some delighted to find a couple of nice items in exchange for things they didn’t want anymore.
Energy and waste officer Christine Rolin said: ‘According to sustainability experts WRAP, “clothes have the fourth largest environmental impact after housing, transport and food”.
‘We need to wear clothes longer and, at the end of their life, recycle them to be made into new clothes. Currently, only one per cent of new clothes are made from recycled fibres.’
The next clothes swaps will be on January 16 at 6pm in the Duncansburgh MacIntosh Church, Fort William. Spring clean your wardrobe and bring your clothes along in the new year.