The event saw residents take 49 new-to-them items home, with the remaining 185 donated to local charity GoodsforGood which will distribute them to people facing hardship.
Veolia, in partnership with Watford Borough Council and West Herts College, hosted another clothes swap event that saw fashion-conscious residents embrace sustainable style.
The swap, held at West Herts College, attracted 27 attendees alongside student organisers who collectively brought 234 clothing items to exchange. Of these, 49 pieces found new homes on the day, while the remaining 185 items were donated to local charity Goods for Good, where they will be distributed to vulnerable individuals and families in need.
The initiative forms part of a wider effort to combat the environmental impact of fast fashion, which requires significant resources to produce new clothing. By encouraging residents to swap rather than shop, the event helped reduce textile waste and lower demand for new garment production.
For the students involved, the day provided valuable hands-on experience in running projects, developing skills in customer service, communications, and even fashion design. Several students showcased their creative talents by styling complete outfits from the donated clothes, demonstrating how sustainable fashion can be both practical and stylish.
For those who couldn’t attend, the next clothes swap will take place later this year, giving residents another opportunity to refresh their wardrobes sustainably. Community groups can also organise their own community clothes swaps by borrowing a clothes swap equipment kit, which includes rails, hangers, size labels, and mirrors. To request a kit or for more information, contact enquiries.watford.vesuk@veolia.com .
Andrew Reidy, Divisional Head of Municipal Operations, Veolia Watford said: “It was fantastic to expand our regular clothes swap events to include students from West Herts College, bringing fresh enthusiasm and energy. Our clothes swap events have always been successful in encouraging residents to refresh their wardrobes whilst minimising waste, and working with the college allows us to give students valuable experience in running eco-projects. “This partnership extends our sustainability efforts across different generations and beyond our essential recycling and waste collections, street cleansing, and parks maintenance services. Together, we can create lasting positive change for our community and environment.”
Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford, said: “It was wonderful to see residents choosing sustainable ways to refresh their wardrobes. This clothes swap demonstrated how small actions can have a big impact, reduce waste, and bring our community closer together. I was also delighted to see students from West Herts College get involved, gaining valuable experience while contributing to a greener future for our town.”
Kathryn Harrold, Employer Partnership Manager, West Herts College, said: “Taking part in this clothes swap has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage directly with a sustainability initiative. Not only does it highlight the importance of reducing textile waste, but it also gives students valuable hands-on experience in event delivery, customer interaction, and promoting positive environmental change. We’re proud to work with Veolia and Watford Borough Council who share our commitment to creating opportunities for young people while supporting the local community.”
