An annual clothing swap event was held in Stockholm, Sweden on Sunday, part of a nationwide initiative that drew thousands across the country. The UN Environment Programme cites fast fashion as a major player in environmental damage, producing up to 10% of the world's carbon emissions. Discarded clothes fill landfills in developing countries and plastic fibers from cheap fabrics pollute oceans.
The environmental toll of fast fashion is well documented. Producing a pair of jeans requires roughly 2,000 gallons (7,571 liters) of water, according to UNEP. In Sweden, clothing consumption contributes to roughly 3% of a Swede's total emissions, according to Mistra Future Fashion. Each Swede throws away around 9-10 kilograms (20-22 pounds) of clothes annually, according to Beatrice Rindevall, chair of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation. Swedes on average buy about 25 new items of clothing per year, and 90% of items in wardrobes are never used, the society said.
A lot of people don’t have sewing machines anymore, or they don’t quite know how they should fix that buttonhole that broke.
Sweden's clothing swap initiative began in 2010 and has grown steadily. Last year, approximately 140,000 people participated in 140 swap events and took home more than 44,000 pre-owned items. The events are organized by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, which coordinates local chapters across the country.
The push for reuse comes amid a policy reversal on textile waste. Swedes were banned from throwing away clothes in regular trash last year as part of an EU recycling initiative. However, the ban backfired when municipal collection sites were overwhelmed, leading to stockpiles of unused textiles. The Swedish government reversed part of the rule in October, allowing some textiles to be discarded with household waste again.
Last year around 140 clothing items were swapped and this year we are probably up to 15, but we'll see.
Turnout at this year's events varied dramatically. In Tingsryd, the clothing swap event was unusually quiet with few people attending. According to SVT Småland, Markus Mörlund, chairman of the Nature Conservation Society in Tingsryd, said that last year around 140 clothing items were swapped, but this year the number was estimated at only 15. In contrast, Luleå saw a long queue in cold weather outside Porsöhallen. According to Kuriren, Annie Lundin Strömqvist described standing in line for an hour and a half. The event in Luleå was previously a clothing swap day but this year became a swap day where most items can be swapped. According to Kuriren, Linda Persson described leaving in books. In total, 270 people had left in 3000 items for the swap day.
Event logistics aim to ensure quality and safety. Participants can leave up to ten items and choose the same number from the available selection. Tailors helped shoppers repair clothes to extend their lifespan. According to The Independent - Main, Meg Goldmann described that many people do not have sewing machines or know how to fix buttonholes. Clothes from Temu and Shein are not accepted due to increased risk of chemicals, according to Markus Mörlund. Unswapped clothes are donated to charity.
We notice that more people are becoming aware of buying second-hand and swapping instead of buying new.
Despite the enthusiasm in some locations, several unknowns remain. The reasons for low turnout in Tingsryd compared to last year are unclear. Overall participation across Sweden this year has not been confirmed. The long-term effectiveness of swap events in reducing overall clothing consumption and waste is also uncertain, as is the impact of the reversed EU ban on textile waste.
Very cold. I've been standing here for an hour and a half.
Mostly sweaters.
We have left in books.