Spring clean your wardrobe

Christine Rolin, Lochaber Environmental Group

Do you feel overwhelmed by your wardrobe? Want to de-clutter and simplify? According to the waste charity WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) the average consumer in the UK only wears 30 per cent of their wardrobe. But how can you make the most of what you have?

Make sure the clothes you don’t wear or want any more don’t go to waste. Give away your clothes by swapping, donating or recycling them. Invite your friends around for a swap party and you can all get new outfits from each other’s wardrobes, or if there is a clothes swap near you go there. Lochaber Environmental

Group have been running a series of clothes swaps in Fort William as part of their project funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund. You can also donate your clothes to people in need or to raise money for your favourite charity. Avoid putting your clothes in landfill, if you can’t swap or give away your clothes look for a recycling point near you.

The clothing industry is incredibly wasteful, but it doesn’t stop once production is finished. Any clothes made of synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon, will release microfibers into the sea. These fibers are tiny pieces of plastic which are too small to be stopped by filters in the drain, once they reach the sea they will work their way up the food chain. We can’t always avoid synthetic clothes, we need them for protection at working and outdoors, but when you can choose natural fibres such as cotton, linen and wool. Unlike synthetic clothing a wool jumper can break down completely, you can even put it in your compost.

Extend the life of the clothes you love by repairing or upcycling them. Repair your beloved jumper or those jeans that just fit right. You can also incorporate outdated or worn clothes in to your own designs! If you are feeling a bit rusty with your sewing skills or want to learn, why not invite a friend or family member over to help. There a lots of online resource too, ‘Love Your Clothes’ campaign has many instructional videos available online on how to wash, repair and upcycle (www. loveyourclothes.org.uk).

The next clothes swap in Fort William is on March 1 at 6 pm in the New Hall, Duncansburgh Macintosh Church. The event is free and anyone is welcome.

Just bring along some clothes you don’t wear anymore and take home a new outfit.