Month: May 2018

One element of the Granton Goes Greener Project is the clothing swap shop. The idea is that people donate clothes that are still in good condition but perhaps they’ve grown out of or that they’re bored of and swap them for something that is new to them. We are delighted to receive donations but want to discourage people from using the swap shop as an excuse to get rid of clothes that they otherwise would still happily wear. We don’t want people thinking ‘oh I’ve got to find something for the clothing swap!‘ but to think of it as the first place to take clothing that they genuinely wouldn’t wear any more. It’s fine if you don’t have anything to donate, even if you take something.

I took in a skirt that no longer fitted me and swapped it for this lovely jumper.

We weigh the items swapped to give us an idea of how much waste and carbon we’re saving in the project (this is a requirement of our funding from the Climate Challenge Fund). This jumper weights just over 300g (which works out as 0.005kg of CO2 saved if my maths is correct).

Today a group of volunteers from the Climate Change department of Scottish Government are in the church. One of the things they will be doing later in the day is to sort out some of the many bags of clothing that have been donated to our swap shop.

Next Tuesday at the Granton Community Gardeners community meal we will launch our new improved clothing swap shop. There will be three rails – one for women’s clothing, one for men’s and one for children’s with baby clothes on a table. So bring along some clothing to swap or find your next favourite new outfit!

When you walk round Granton you can’t help but notice the wonderful mini gardens that have popped up (and continue to pop up!) on street corners around the area.

These thriving plots are the work of Granton Community Gardeners, a community based project that is encouraging local people to get involved in food growing.

The group then use the food  they grow (along with donated food) in community meals. Last night, I went along for the first time to their community supper in Granton Parish Church. I was very impressed by the delicious vegetarian shepherd’s pie. It was great to see so many people enjoying the food and conversation too. There’s a community supper every Tuesday at 5.45 in the church. 

A couple of days ago I attended a training event with our funder Climate Challenge Fund,

One of the highlights was a discussion about attitudes to second hand clothing.  On the negative side we talked about:

• people’s desire to wear the latest fashion or to fit in with cultural norms and expectations
• people’s distaste for clothing that’s been worn by something else
• laziness – it’s often quicker to find a specific item in a chain store than in a second hand shop
• stigma – the feeling that you’ll be looked down on if you buy second hand

On the positive side we talked about:

• creativity – creating your own look or customising old clothes to make something new
• saving money – you can often find good brands at low prices in second hand shops (though some discount  stores are often cheaper than second hand)
• more and more clothing designers and fashion retailers are using up-cycled materials in their productions, making the idea fashionable in itself
• the environmental benefits of reducing waste

Ever since I was a student, I have bought all my clothes second hand (except for underwear). I often buy 2nd hand shoes too.

Part of the Granton Goes Greener Project is the clothing swap shop which is already an ongoing part of the Granton Parish Church community but is set to expand in the very near future! You bring in good quality clothing that no longer fits and swap it for something else.

We want donations of good quality used clothing. The swap shop isn’t an excuse to clear out your wardrobe just for the sake of it but part of a circular clothing economy that tries to extend the life of clothing and reduce waste (see this article).  We want individuals to both bring clothing in and take clothing away. Having said that, we won’t turn away donations and we’re happy for people in need to take items of clothing even if they don’t have anything to donate.

Clothes swapping is becoming quite trendy now with Swishing parties being very popular.

The Swap Shop will feature at the launch of Granton Goes Greener which will happen between 12 noon and 3pm on Saturday 30 June.

Granton Goes Greener will be officially launched on Saturday 30 June, between 12 noon and 3pm in an event to be held at Granton Parish Church, 55 Boswall Parkway.

You will be able to access our extended clothing swap shop, bring your bike along for a maintenance session from Grease Monkeys (to be confirmed). We hope to be able to offer a guided walk and cycle ride round the local area. Entertainment will be provided including poetry and short stories, children’s stories and nursery rhymes and music (to be confirmed). Refreshments will include soup and bread and locally made elderflower cordial.

I’ll update this information as I can, but meanwhile you can sign up to the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/171002076915355/

The Granton Goes Greener Clothing Swap Shop here at Granton Parish Church is set to expand!

We hope soon to have three rails – one each for women’s, men’s and children’s clothing with baby clothes on a table.

The rails will be found at the back of the hall making it easy for people attending events in the hall to access the swap shop.

We’re looking for donations of good quality used clothes that perhaps you’ve got bored of or no longer fit.

Swapping clothes in this way can reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfill and can help people save money on clothing.

However, please don’t get rid of clothes just as an excuse to buy more!

As the swap shop is going to expand we are looking for volunteers to help us run it! You can find out more about volunteering with us on the Volunteering page of this website.