How to Find Free Clothing and Help the Environment

Swapping clothing and accessories is a smart way to wear the latest fashion, get free clothing and help the environment by cutting down on waste. We all need to take more responsibility and recycle to reduce the need for landfill space. More than two quadrillion pounds of clothing, rags and such are thrown out each year. Clothing can take hundreds of years to decompose.

You and your jeans can make a difference. When you recycle, you are conserving raw materials and natural resources. That means less has to be extracted, refined, transported and processed which lightens the load on Mother Earth. You also conserve the energy that’s needed in the manufacturing process. Less energy used means less needs to be generated, resulting in smaller carbon footprints and less greenhouse gases and emissions.

And let us not forget how recycling helps our marinelife. Here is more information on how we can stop killing turtles, birds and other sea life by not using plastic bags.

So now that you have a better understanding of how serious it is to just "toss it" - here is a simple alternative. And who doesn't like to shop for free clothing?

To start a neighborhood swapping party, (it's called "swishing" and began in London), make a list of friends, neighbors and their contacts to invite to your party. Select a convenient day and time, following up with a reminder a few days before the party.

Everyone is to bring one, two or three articles of clean clothing. They can choose whatever article of clothing they like, in return for contributing. Decide in advance whether you want to include other items like jewelry, shoes, hand bags, scarves or hats. You may want to save these items for another party.

Here are some basic rules, but feel free to change them and create new or different ones:

• Everyone must bring at least one item of quality clothing.
  

  Set guidelines on the quality of the fashion-swap items. Ask them to bring up-to-date fashions that are clean and in good condition.

• Keep it fair so one person doesn't leave with an armload and another empty handed. One idea is to have them draw numbers, and select an item when their number is called. If someone else wants the item they've chosen, then they can object and try to make a deal with her. If someone brought three items, then they would have three choices.

• Separate the clothing as your guests arrive into categories, such as value, type and size.

• Prepare a fitting room. Someone may want to try on an article of clothing before choosing to swap

• You will have half an hour to browse before the swapping begins.
  
• No item may be taken before the swish opens.
  
• As soon as the swapping begins, everyone may take what they want.

Serve your guests refreshments, such as crackers, cheese and sparkling water.

-"We all moan and groan about the loss of the quality of life through the destruction of our ecology, and yet each one of us, in our own little comfortable ways, contributes daily to that destruction. It's time now to awaken in each one of us the respect and attention our beloved mother deserves."-

Quote by actor,environmental supporter, Ed Asner

My Mama used to say that saving a dollar is as good as earning a dollar. And that woman could save. We didn't have much to begin with, but she always managed to put away something for that rainy day.

I learned from Mama that "pre-worn" clothing was as good as new as long as it was freshly laundered and ironed. And as for shoes - if they were used, they were already broken in and nice and comfy. I didn't mind "used" then, and I don't mind now. In fact I like the thrill that comes from finding a treasure for just a few dollars.

So, if you've never shopped the vintage boutiques, good will and salvation army, why not give it a try? You just never know what you will find.