Clothing Swap
JOHNSON COUNTY EDUCATION PROGRAMS, Johnson County
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Spice up your wardrobe and be kind to the earth by participating in our new community clothing swap! Donate clothes ahead of the event that you no longer want (but are still in good shape) and take home new-to-you items from the swap. There is no registration required for this event.
See more details below.
What:
Today’s fast fashion puts a huge strain on our planet’s resources, releases pollutants into the environment, and encourages unsafe labor practices. Clothing swaps are an economical way to update your wardrobe without buying new.
Why:
Let’s divert clothing from the landfill! We will be weighing clothes that are swapped on site to understand just how much we have diverted through this effort.
SWAP FAQs:
How exactly does it work?
Clothing donations will be accepted prior to the swap so volunteers can pre-sort all items. No clothing donations will be accepted the day of the swap. You may donate clothes in good condition even if you are not planning to attend to ensure we have a wide selection. Volunteers will sort the clothes by item in advance, and swappers will be able to browse and select clothes just like at a store. However, unlike a store, you won’t pay for things you take home! Instead, we will weigh your clothes to know how many pounds we are diverting from the landfill.
What items can I donate?
Mind your #karmapoints, friends, and only donate items in a condition that you would be willing and excited to take home! Clothes that are no longer wearable (stains, smells, or just worn out) should be donated directly to Goodwill of the Heartland, which accepts clothing in any condition and recycles clothes that are no longer usable. We are eager for your donations! However, please keep your donations to your best items to ensure our volunteers can get through everything in time for the big day!
We accept wearable items in good condition, including:
Dresses Shorts | Skirts | Shirts | Pants | Jeans | Shoes | Jewelry | Snow Gear | Jackets + Coats | Bags | Sunglasses | Scarves + Hats + Gloves | Kids clothes
We will not accept used socks, undergarments, nor swimwear.
We do not accept home goods.
When and where can I drop off clothes to donate to the swap?
Donations can be dropped off at the following dates and times:
- Friday, January 17 through Thursday, January 23 at Kent Park’s Conservation Education Center (2048 Hwy 6 NW, Oxford). Please place items in the donation tubs on the side of the building.
- Tuesday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 23 from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Johnson County Administration Building, 913 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City. Please place items in the marked donations tubs that
will be in the first-floor lobby.
Will there be limits on what I can take?
We will not be limiting how much or what items anyone can take. We want donated clothes to find their ways into as many homes as possible. We do ask that you keep in mind other swappers and we request no resellers or friends swapping for friends who cannot attend on their own.
What happens to the leftover clothing?
We are partnering with various social service agencies to donate clothes that are not selected at the swap.
What if I have clothes in bad shape that are no longer wearable?
We encourage folks to do their best to extend the life of clothing through proper care and mending. We also know sometimes you have textiles that are no longer wearable and probably won’t be taken from the swap. We request you take these items directly to Goodwill of the Heartland. Goodwill is able to accept clothing that is no longer wearable for textile recycling. Be sure to separate textile recycling donations from other donations and label the bag/container “for textile recycling”.
Can I volunteer?
Yes! We will be accepting volunteers for Friday before the swap and Saturday Clean-Up. Please email Michelle Wiegand if you are interested in volunteering. MWiegand@JohnsonCountyIA.com
Or simply fill out the Sign-Up Genius poll below: https://bit.ly/4fXBCK5
