Wicklow County Council, with support from the Anti-Dumping Initiative Grant, is launching a series of textile-themed events and workshops this autumn aimed at tackling the growing issue of clothing waste and promoting a circular economy. The program will include themed clothing swap events and textile upcycling workshops in Bray, Baltinglass and Arklow.

Globally, the fashion industry is worth an estimated US $1.7 trillion, with clothing production having doubled since 2000. The number of garments purchased per person has increased by around 60%, and global clothing consumption is projected to rise by 63% by 2030, from approximately 62 million tonnes to 102 million tonnes annually. Currently, less than 1% of textiles are recycled into new products, while a truckload of clothing is landfilled or incinerated every second worldwide.

In Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that each person purchases an average of 53 kg of new textiles each year, which is equivalent to around 1 kg per week. Ireland disposes of approximately 164,000 tonnes of textiles annually, making it the second-highest textile waste producer in the EU. Of this total, about 6% is reused locally, 9% is recycled (mostly into rags or industrial cloths), and 21% is exported for reuse abroad.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, stated, "These swap events and textile workshops will help reduce textile waste while supporting the aims of both our Climate Action Plan and Ireland’s Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy, which places strong emphasis on reducing textile waste."

Theresa O’Brien, Director of Services for Climate, Environment, Recreation, and Amenity, added, "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."

Event Details:

Arklow Arts Centre, 87 Lower Main Street, Arklow

Saturday 30th August, 10am –1 pm

(General clothing swap – maximum of five good-quality items)

Bray Family Resource Centre, Ard Chualainn, Bray

Wednesday, 17th September 10am –1 pm

(New mums’ wardrobe refresh – with stylist on hand)

Baltinglass Library, Weaver’s Square, Baltinglass

Saturday 20th September, 10 am –1 pm

(General clothing swap – maximum of five good-quality items)

Attendees are encouraged to bring clean, good-quality clothing for swapping and to participate in hands-on upcycling workshops designed to give garments a new lease of life.

For more information on the circular economy and reducing our waste, please visit Waste - The Circular Economy