Did you know that the value of unused clothing in wardrobes has been estimated at around £30 billion? It is also estimated that £140 million worth of clothing goes into landfill each year.
On 7 July 2018 Creators of Peace Oxford hosted its first clothes swapping afternoon and fundraiser. Such events help to raise awareness of the value of clothing and encourage people to make the most of the clothes they already have through sharing and swapping.
Keeping clothes out of landfill and in circulation is an important narrative to share with friends and family as we live in a world with limited resources and growing pollution levels. According to the Guardian, extending the life of a garment by an extra nine months reduces its environmental impact by 20-30%.
Once we do start to ask questions we are more often than not confronted with stories of injustices. Labour Behind the Label says, 'Approximately 80% of garment workers are women. This is not by chance, but the result of gender discrimination which runs through the industry. Women are desirable in the garment industry because employers take advantage of cultural stereotypes – to which women are often obliged to adhere – that portray women as passive and flexible…. When women fight back, they are ignored, repressed and in some cases violently attacked and killed.'
English