Swapping instead of Shopping
Swapping is one new way of shopping. Everyone has clothing in their closets and drawers which they no longer wear, never wore or avoid. Now you can be green – reduce and recyle them.
The S.W.A.P. Team is a non-profit organization founded by Aleece Germano and Nicole Picard. “Through its clothing swap event Take Off Your Clothes, the group endeavours to promote sharing as an antidote to overconsumption while increasing awareness of the human and natural resources involved in the creation, transportation and marketing of mass-produced consumer goods.”
In Montreal this team holds regular events where you can trade clothing. Fashion designers such as Preloved, Olga Tigirlas, Valerie Dumaine, Jen Glasgow and Anastasia Lomonova have even donated new clothing to the mix.
How it works: You bring gently worn clean male, female or children’s clothing, and you are given tickets valid for exchanges. There is no limit on swapping on a one-to-one basis. Any items left over are donated to the Salvation Army. In one major event of theirs, over 1,000 items were swapped and 1500 were donated. The organization will even come and pick up your clothes in advance of their events.
The S.W.A.P. Team c/o Station C
5369, St-Laurent Blvd. Suite #430
Montreal, QC H2T 1S5
Note: ring buzzer for Station C (#703) and take the elevator to the 4th floor; follow signs for Station C to end of hall on right.