By Ramune Kuzminiene and Emma O’Toole
The global fast fashion industry is a significant contributor to climate change (Arthurs 2023). Half a tonne of clothing is dumped into a landfill in Ireland every minute (Clancy 2019), and just 1 % of global textiles are recycled into new textiles (Government of Ireland, 2020, p. 42). Ireland has signed up to the National Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020-2025 (Government of Ireland 2020, p.6), yet circular fashion has not been implemented on national scale. Circular fashion is seen as a necessary transition due to the current linear business model exposing climatic effects during every phase of the fashion industry process (O’Leary et al. 2021, p. 9).
In May 2023, Swords Tidy Towns launched its first clothes swap event, inviting residents to exchange garments to promote sustainability and reduce textile waste. What began as a simple idea evolved into a thriving monthly tradition, thanks to the incredible support of local residents. These gatherings not only provided an eco-friendly way for residents to update their wardrobes but also fostered camaraderie and shared environmental responsibility.
The initiative, aimed at promoting eco-conscious/slow fashion and reducing textile waste, quickly gained popularity, culminating in Swords Tidy Towns being awarded the EPA Circular Economy Award in the national SuperValu Tidy Towns Competition last year. This recognition not only celebrates the efforts of our community but also emphasises the importance of embracing eco-friendly practices in our daily lives.
As our Clothes Swap Shop celebrates its first birthday milestone, Swords Tidy Towns extends heartfelt gratitude to the Rivervalley Community Centre for their unwavering support and ongoing collaboration, recognising it as a cornerstone of the Clothes Swap’s success. We also give our thanks to SuperValu Pavilions Swords for their donation of cakes and treats to help us celebrate our first birthday. We also thank Councillor Joe Newman and Darragh O’Brien TD for their show of support.
At this special event, we also had a young local entrepreneur Naima introducing her special event dress rental business @shopfluently14 to the community. We hope this will become a new collaboration that will benefit the entire community.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to share our plans for the upcoming year. In addition to our regular swap shops, we’re eager to introduce clothes repair and repurposing workshops, further expanding the scope of our events. It’s an opportunity not only to exchange garments but also to learn valuable skills and foster creativity.
However, none of this would be possible without the dedication of our volunteers. As we continue to grow and evolve, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals willing to lend a helping hand. If you share our commitment to sustainability and community engagement, we encourage you to reach out and get involved.
Together, we can make a difference – one swap at a time.
References:
Arthurs, R. (2023) The Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook: Shifting the narrative: A guide to aligning fashion communication to the 1.5-degree climate target and wider sustainability goals. UNEP and UNFCC.
Clancy, B. (2019) ‘New Shocking Facts about the Impact of Fast Fashion on Our Climate’, Oxfam Ireland, 2 September. Available at: https://www.oxfamireland.org/policy/new-shocking-facts-about-the-impact-of-fast-fashion-on-our-climate [Accessed 22December 2023].
Government of Ireland (2020) A Waste Action plan for A Circular Economy: Ireland’s National Waste Policy 2020-2025. Ireland: Government of Ireland.
O’Leary, E., Tobin, K., Downey, C., Hanlon, Elaine., and Miller, S. (2021) Nature and Extent of Post-Consumer textiles in Ireland: Study Report, Ireland: The Environmental Protection Agency.
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