Supported by students from West Herts College, the event will bring together residents and students to support reuse and sustainable fashion.
Veolia, the environmental services provider that delivers recycling and waste collections, street cleansing, and parks maintenance, and Watford Borough Council, are inviting local residents to get involved in a clothes swap at West Herts College on Monday 23rd February.
The clothes swap event will take place at West Herts College on Monday 23rd February from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.
Here’s how it works:
- From 2:30pm to 3:00pm: residents who were unable to bring their items prior to the event can drop them off.
- From 3:00pm to 4:30pm: the clothes swap begins, residents can shop for new-to-them items on the rails.
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, scarves).
- 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 event is a great opportunity to kick-start spring cleaning and clear out wardrobes responsibly, whilst reducing waste and making shopping more sustainable.
As well as being a fun and eco-friendly activity, the clothes swap will also provide an invaluable hands-on learning experience for students at West Herts College. Students will be actively involved in all aspects of the event, from organising the rails, to creating and distributing promotional materials across campus and social media platforms, allowing them to gain insight into environmentally-focused community events and what a ‘green career’ can look like.
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 each year. Reusing and recycling clothes at events like this keeps clothes in use for longer, reducing the demand for new products, and supporting 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 GoodsforGood, a local charity partner that will rehome the clothing to people experiencing poverty, displacement, or crisis.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “Clothes swaps are a brilliant example of how small local actions can make a big difference for our community and the environment. By reusing and sharing, residents are helping to reduce waste while supporting one another. We’re grateful to the Veolia team for their continued partnership and hands‑on support, helping turn this clothes swap into a positive experience for the whole community.”
Andrew Reidy, Divisional Head of Municipal Operations, Veolia Watford said: “Our clothes swap events have always been successful in encouraging residents to refresh their wardrobes whilst minimising waste. This year, we’re working with local West Herts College for the first time to give students the experience of running eco-initiatives. Through this we hope to extend our sustainability efforts across different generations, as well as beyond delivering essential recycling and waste collections, street cleansing, and parks maintenance services on behalf of Watford Borough Council. Together, we can create lasting positive change for our community and environment.”
