Project description
Work to design and create a ‘freecycle starter kit’ which acts as a self-serving tool for anyone in Kent (and beyond) to use. This will in turn, reduce the number of clothes going to landfill. The project will remain as a legacy project. The freecycle kit is available for anyone to request.
Aim
To encourage the swapping of pre-loved clothes and other goods, rather than disposing via closed waste streams.
Target audience
All Kent residents.
Specific goals
For Kent residents and organisations to utilise the starter kit.
Timeline
Ongoing.
Platform
Digital.
Who was involved in this project?
Lead organisation: Kent County Council (KCC) – Environmental Champions.
Organisation contact
Responsibilities
Sustainable Business Projects Facilitator and KCC’s Environmental Champions ran the initial event and will oversee this as a legacy project.
KCC's Environmental Champions are a cohort of KCC staff across all directories with a particular interest in protecting and preserving our environment. Their role is to advocate green practices in the workplace and at home among other KCC colleagues.
Where was the project piloted and why?
Kent, Maidstone. This is where the ‘main’ office of KCC is located and where most of the staff involved in the pilot are based.
Why was the project created?
Why we did the project
To demonstrate the benefits of circular living and de-stigmatise this. Also to rehome as many items as possible and engage with as many participants as possible.
Expected value to the circular economy
A reduction in textile waste is the biggest value. It also works as a great behaviour change piece among KCC employees.
How was the project implemented?
Cost and staff resource
The project didn’t cost any money to run, only staff time (but this was voluntary within Environmental Champion duties).
Compliance
Presented a risk assessment to Health & Safety for approval.
Monitoring
There were over 250 items of clothing swapped at the event and it was well attended.
Results
Lessons learnt
The strengths of the pilot have been:
- almost all items were rehomed
- learnings from what would be needed in the future, which have now been updated in the starter kit
- ideas for future events focusing on specific themes, e.g. Halloween, Christmas Jumper Day etc
The weaknesses of the pilot have been:
- the main obstacle was advertising and communications around the event
Risks
The only risk was items being on the floor (health and safety) but with a good number of volunteers this was maintained safely.