Veolia, in partnership with Watford Borough Council, is running a clothes swap event to celebrate the Great Big Green Week, a celebration of community action to protect the environment.
The clothes swap event will take place at Watford Palace Theatre on Saturday 14th June from 10am to 12pm.
- From 10am to 10:45am: residents can bring up to 10 items of their clothing in exchange for tokens.
- From 11am - 12pm: the clothes swap will begin and residents can use these tokens to exchange for new-to-them clothing.
To ensure a high-quality and enjoyable experience for all, residents are asked to follow the Clothes Swap guidelines:
- No accessories (e.g. bags, belts, jewellery)
- No nightwear, swimwear or underwear garments
- No children’s items or shoes
- No damaged items (including any shrunk, stained, or torn items, or those needing repair)
- All clothes must be clean and in good condition.
This initiative is part of the Great Big Green Week, a nationwide campaign highlighting the importance of acting on climate and environmental issues. During this week, people are encouraged to get involved in events and do their part to make their community greener.
Recent research* shows that 49% of used textiles in the UK end up in household rubbish bins, with each person throwing away an average of 35 items of unwanted clothing into general waste each year. Reusing and recycling clothes at events like this keeps clothes in use for longer, reduces the demand for new products, and supports circular fashion.
Small changes, like choosing second-hand over new, can make a real difference. For example, buying a second-hand pair of jeans instead of new could save over 30kg CO2e - the equivalent of boiling water for 600 cups of tea. Events like this clothes swap help make these choices easy, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.
Any clothing left after the event will be donated to Goods for Good, a local charity partner that will rehome the clothing with people experiencing poverty, displacement, or crisis. For more information about the event and to book a ticket please visit: www.watford.gov.uk/clothesswap
Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford, said: “It’s fantastic to see our community coming together to take positive action for the environment. Events like the clothes swap not only help reduce waste and support more sustainable choices but also bring people together in a fun and meaningful way. I’m proud that Watford is playing its part in the Great Big Green Week. I encourage everyone to get involved, give their clothes a new lease of life, and help make our town greener for future generations.”
Andrew Reidy, Divisional Head of Municipal Operations, Veolia Watford said: “Watford’s residents already do their bit for the planet by being incredible recyclers, and I hope they will enjoy the chance to minimise waste whilst updating their wardrobes at this clothes swap event.
“This event extends our sustainability efforts beyond delivering essential recycling and waste collections, street cleansing, and parks maintenance services, by helping residents reduce textile waste and embrace reuse. Working together, we can make a real impact during Great Big Green Week and beyond.”
