We love local recycling, caring-for-the-environment events, even more-so when we are made the beneficiary!
I want to tell you about The Molesey Clothing Exchange. They have joined the fashion revolution! Their events are held at the Refresh Centre in East Molesey, 129 Walton Road every other month on the first Saturday, from 10am - 1pm. And I have to say, it is a great community buzz!
Basically, it works like this: have a look through your own wardrobe for that dress or jumper or pair of shoes you've only worn a few times and don't know what to do with. Bring up to five items in good condition to the Molesey Clothing Exchange to swap for something you would like to wear. Other than a £2 entrance fee, no money is exchanged. Even the yummy tea and homemade cake is free!
I was amazed at the quality of the garments exchanged on the day. I even saw a hardly-worn pair of Irregular Choice strawberry shoes, perched on the table waiting for their new owner! Fabulous for those who can still wear high heals and strut their stuff! The Clothing Exchange ladies don't accept smelly, dirty stuff so everything on their rails is wearable. (Textile recycling can be done at The Princess Alice Hospice-a short walk from the Refresh Centre).
Another great thing on offer at the Clothing Exchange is that you can bring your repairs and have a one-on-one session with their fabulous invisible mender. Invisible Mending originates from the Japanese method of Sashiko. Clothes are repaired beautifully with stitches that have personality! These "mends" celebrate the wear and tear of the garment (a bit like the wrinkles on a face!) and allow the owner’s self expression to shine through. Clothes become art: an expression of who we are.
Did you know that a staggering 92 million tonnes of clothing waste is produced each year? This means the fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global waste. Did you also know that it takes 20,000 litres of water to produce just 1 kilo of cotton? Seriously! How can we simpy throw it away to end up in land-fill? It isn't just the cost of the garment we throw-away; it's the overall cost to the environment of roughly $500 BILLION a year! And as for plastics: nearly10% of microplastics dispersed into the oceans come from textiles. Mind-bending, isn't it?
Local intiatives such as The Clothing Exchange helps us all to live with awareness and care about the mess we leave behind for others. They are a beautiful nod to sustainability. Thank you to The Molesey Clothing Exchange for all you do for the local community and for making a donation to us! It is much appreciated. Their donation helps us to carry on recording and performing and raising awareness of environmental issues, winning hearts and minds and singing for the environment, trees, oceans and for the chidren's sustainable futures.
Find them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/moleseyclothingexchange
and Instagram: @moleseyclothingexchange