Clothes Swap

The event will be supported by Watford Repair Cafe, who will be on hand to help residents fix their damaged items.

The clothes swap will run from 10am to 1pm, giving residents the chance to refresh their wardrobes without buying new.

Residents are invited to attend the event at the following times:

• 10am – 11am: residents can drop off their clothing.
• 11am – 1pm: the clothes swap will begin and residents can shop 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.

Taking place alongside the swap, Watford Repair Cafe will offer hands-on help to fix everyday items such as small electricals, clothing, and household goods. Residents can simply turn up with their broken item on the day for repair and the café volunteers will work to repair the item and offer to share skills and learn from each other.

Together, these activities highlight how simple actions can keep products in use for longer, reduce waste, and lower the environmental impact of producing new goods. This joint 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, the public is encouraged to get involved in events across Hertfordshire and do their part to make their community greener. Encouraging reuse is key to reducing textile waste. Recent research* shows that 49% of used textiles in the UK are placed in general waste bins, with the average 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, reduces the demand for new products, and supports circular fashion.

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.