Tuesday, 09 September 2025
Wicklow County Council is hosting autumn clothing swaps and upcycling workshops in Arklow, Bray, and Baltinglass to combat textile waste and promote a circular economy. Supported by an Anti-Dumping Initiative Grant, these community events encourage sustainable fashion, skill-building, and local climate action through reuse, repair, and creative garment transformation.
Wicklow County Council is taking decisive action against the growing crisis of clothing waste by launching a series of textile-themed events this autumn. Backed by an Anti-Dumping Initiative Grant, these events aim to encourage reuse, upcycling, and a shift towards a circular economy. The initiative is part of Wicklow’s broader efforts to promote sustainability and climate action at the community level.
Globally, the fashion industry is valued at over $1.7 trillion, but its rapid growth comes at a cost. Since 2000, clothing production has doubled, and global consumption is expected to jump from 62 million tonnes to 102 million tonnes by 2030. Yet, less than 1% of textiles are recycled into new clothing, with a truckload of garments landfilled or incinerated every second.
In Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that each person purchases around 53 kg of new textiles per year, which is equivalent to about 1 kg every week. Ireland produces approximately 164,000 tonnes of textile waste annually, making it the second-highest textile waste generator in the EU. Only a fraction is reused or recycled.
Wicklow County Council’s autumn series will include clothing swaps and upcycling workshops at three key locations:
Date: Saturday, September 30
Time: 10am–1pm
Details: General clothing swap (limit: 5 good-quality items), upcycling workshop.
Date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: 10am–1pm
Details: Targeted at new mums; includes access to a stylist.
Date: Sunday, September 20
Time: 10am–1pm
Details: Clothing swap and hands-on upcycling activity.
Participants are encouraged to bring clean, wearable clothing and take part in workshops designed to extend the life of their garments through simple repair and creative reuse techniques.
According to Theresa O’Brien, Director of Services for Climate, Environment, Recreation, and Amenity:
“We want to acknowledge the support of WERLA through the Anti-Dumping Initiative Grant, which has enabled us to creatively and community-focused address textile waste through organising swap events and delivering upcycling workshops, particularly in Arklow, our designated Decarbonisation Zone.”
These events align with Ireland’s broader climate goals and help residents play a direct role in reducing waste and promoting sustainability at the local level.
The events serve as a practical example of the circular economy in action—shifting away from a “take-make-dispose” model towards one that emphasises reuse, repair, and regeneration. By engaging communities in hands-on upcycling, the initiative empowers people to rethink consumption patterns and extend the lifecycle of existing materials.
One often overlooked benefit of upcycling workshops is the development of repair literacy. Teaching people how to sew, mend, or creatively alter clothing contributes to a long-term cultural shift. These life skills help reduce dependency on fast fashion and promote a sense of ownership and connection to personal belongings.
Textile production and disposal disproportionately affect low-income countries, where much of the world’s discarded clothing ends up. Events like these not only reduce local waste but also address the ethical implications of overconsumption by promoting responsibility and mindfulness in consumer habits.
Bring 3–5 clean, gently used items for swapping.
Attend an upcycling workshop—no experience needed!
Learn from local stylists and facilitators about sustainable fashion choices.
Support local climate action by promoting the events on social media or bringing a friend along.
Wicklow’s initiative offers a proactive, community-driven solution to the global textile waste crisis. Through clothing swaps and creative upcycling, residents are not only refreshing their wardrobes but also contributing to a more sustainable and just fashion system. These events are more than seasonal activities, they are steps toward a resilient, circular, and environmentally conscious future.
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