Planet Ark estimates that every Australian purchases an average of 27 kilograms of new clothing annually, with an average of 23 kilograms sent to landfill. The Australian Fashion Council research found that Australians bought 383,000 tonnes of new clothing in 2018-19. Only 210,000 tonnes of clothing are donated or reused annually, with 7% recycled (National Waste Report p45).
The City of Fremantle, the Town of East Fremantle and the City of Melville are working together to encourage residents to apply circular economy principles over landfill by shopping sustainably, mending, repairing, making do, altering, donating and recycling their clothing.
A series of events, workshops and guides are listed below to provide skills and information for residents to keep their clothing in circulation for longer:
Circular Styling Events
| Event | Date | Location | Tickets |
| Winter Edition Clothing Swap with Sustainable Stylist: The Feelgood Fashionista | Saturday 27 July 2024, 11am-1.30pm | Walyalup Civic Centre, 151 High Street Fremantle | Past |
| Positive Mindset for Wardrobe Decluttering workshop with Homes Revamped | Sunday 18 August 2024, 10-11.30am | Walyalup Civic Centre, 151 High Street Fremantle |
Past |
| In Fashion: Conscious Consumerism workshop with Fibre Economy | Saturday, 24 August 2024, 10-11.30am | Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre, 555 Leach Hwy Winthrop |
Past |
| Summer Edition Clothing Swap with Sustainable Stylist: The Feelgood Fashionista | Saturday, 14 September 2024, 1-3.30pm | East Fremantle Community Park, Carnaby Close East Fremantle | Past |
| Basic Mending workshop with Hoop Hoop Hooray | Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 10.30am - 12 noon | East Fremantle Town Hall, 135 Canning Hwy East Fremantle |
Past |
| 'A Stitch in Time' drop in mending workshop including sewing machines and overlockers | Fridays 11, 18, 25 October, and 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 November 2024, 11am - 1pm | Yonga Space, Fremantle Library, lower ground, Walyalup Civic Centre, 151 High Street Fremantle | Free, no bookings required. |
| Kids Edition Clothing Swap with Sustainable Stylist: The Feelgood Fashionista | Sunday, 17 November 2024, 11am - 1.30pm | Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre, 555 Leach Hwy Winthrop |
Visit the City of Melville events page: What's On - City of Melville |
Circular Styling Guides
Set Up Your Own Clothing Swap (1323kb)
Caring for Clothing (132kb)
Sustainable Disposal of Clothing (128kb)
Good Sammy’s Guide to Gifting to Charity (Donation Guide) (208kb)
Vertical Tabs
Where can I learn to repair my clothes?
"A Stitch in Time" is a free drop-in sewing circle to teach participants how to fix tears, hems and simple alterations. Sewing projects are welcome. Sewing machines and overclockers are available for learning how to use—located in the Fremantle Library, 11am-1pm, Fridays 11, 18, 25 October, and 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 November 2024. No bookings are required.
Repair Cafe is a community organisation run by a group of skilled volunteers that offer free repairs. Monthly gatherings are held at Stackwood, Fremantle. For dates and further information, visit Repair Cafe Fremantle.
This initiative aims to reduce unnecessary waste from landfill.
Good Sammy Clothing Drive coming October
We have a solution to that bag of clothing sitting in your cupboard or car boot for months.
During October, Good Sammy's is providing City of Fremantle residents with a free home collection of quality preloved clothing.
Simply watch out for the Good Sammy's flyer for further instructions. This will be delivered at the end of September.
Tell me more about the clothing swap events
Clothing swaps are a great opportunity to refresh your wardrobe, remove items you no longer wear, and meet new people.
You bring up to ten items of clean and good quality items. Whilst we sort these ready for the swap, the Feelgood Fashionista will provide you with some sustainable styling tips. During the swap you will be able to select and try on items that you can take home. Out with the old, and in with the (nearly) new!
The clothing swap is suitable for adults and young adults from 15 and above, both men and women. There is a dedicated children's swap in November.