Clothes swapping for sustainability: Taking action during the European Week for Waste Reduction
.jpg "Article image")
As part of the European Week for Waste Reduction 2025, members of our firm's Environmental Network in Jersey and Guernsey arranged a clothes swap, with the aim of reducing the effect that our clothes are having on the environment.
Sustainability Associate Abbie Syvret also delivered an enlightening presentation to colleagues on the impact that over-consumption in the fashion industry is having on our planet.
In the presentation, Abbie explained that the fashion industry alone is responsible for approximately 10 per cent of global carbon emissions every year – more than international aviation and shipping combined.
(1).jpg "Article image")
Other facts include:
- The fashion industry produces 20 per cent of global wastewater.
- Half a million tons of plastic microfibers are dumped into the ocean every year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles.
- Clothing consumption produces 1.5 tonnes of carbon a year per household – the equivalent to 6,000 cars.
The clothes swap was a fantastic way to emphasise the benefits of re-wearing, sharing, and caring for the clothes we own, whilst offering people a sustainable way to refresh their wardrobes.
Following the clothes swap, all remaining items were donated to a range of local charities to be sold in their shops or repurposed.
Supporting the 'Donate With Dignity' campaign
In another recent clothing-related initiative, our firm's Cayman Islands office partnered with the Cayman Islands Red Cross (CIRC) to support its 'Donate With Dignity' campaign.
The campaign was launched to encourage islanders to assess the quality of their clothing donations to the CIRC Thrift Shop to consider if the person buying the item was a family member, whether they would they look presentable and put together to the outside world.
Overall, our team collected an impressive 23 full bags of good quality donations to support CIRC in its valuable work.
