Christmas swap shop proves a festive treat
R:evolve Recycle
A queue formed outside a Rutherglen “swap shop” last week as more than 100 people flocked to trade their glad rags for glamorous festive frocks.
R:evolve Recycle, which aims to cut C02e and waste by offering services and activities which prolong the life of clothes and textiles, held a Christmas party dress swap extravaganza on Thursday evening.
Eighty-three swaps changed hands at the store on the evening.
Victoria Johnsen, the charity’s carbon literacy co-ordinator, said the event was so popular that volunteers had to operate a “one in, one out” crowd system.
“Our rails were sparse by the end of the night. It was really fantastic and a lot busier than we expected,” explained Victoria, who signed up 27 new members.
“It was all Christmas party clothes that were being swapped, although we also had Christmas jumpers and sparkly shoes.”
Volunteers at the innovative, intergenerational project were this week sifting through items, in an attempt to replenish the shelves.
The project, which has 5305 members, has welcomed 885 new members since April.
Garments weighing a total of 14,259 kg changed hands and 6,465.76 kg were reused, including clothes taken from the shop and materials used in workshops. In total, 5,183.75 kg has been recycled in no fewer than 9,145 swaps.
Rutherglen members make an average number of 305 swaps a week and every week, the project signs up 29 new members weekly.
“We offer creative and exciting volunteering opportunities by sharing the skills and life experience of older people within the community whilst bringing back a ‘make do and mend’ culture,” explained Victoria, whose project has succeeded in saving an impressive 91 tonnes in CO2 emissions.