Keeping clothes out of landfill and in your wardrobe. Swap Shop Suffolk is Lowestoft's community clothing exchange — fighting fast fashion, one garment at a time.
The fashion industry is one of the world's biggest polluters — responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions and vast quantities of water waste, microplastic pollution, and landfill. Most of it comes from clothes worn only a handful of times.
Swap Shop Suffolk C.I.C. exists to disrupt that cycle in Lowestoft. By keeping quality garments in rotation, we directly reduce demand for new production, extend the life of what already exists, and build a local circular economy that benefits people and planet.
As a Community Interest Company, every penny of surplus goes back into the community — supporting low-income households, funding repair workshops, and growing the movement.
The UK sends 350,000 tonnes of clothing to landfill every year. Every swap, repair, and donation directly reduces that number.
Affordable, sustainable clothing shouldn't be a luxury. We bring it to the doorstep of Lowestoft's working class households.
When clothes stay in circulation longer, fewer new garments are made. Every item in rotation is one less item produced.
We run workshops, share resources, and help people understand the true cost of fast fashion — and how to opt out of it.
A weekly pop-up in Lowestoft where the community can donate, exchange, or purchase quality clothing, shoes and accessories at little to no cost — fostering community involvement and a circular economy.
In-house repairs for damaged donations plus a repair service for the public. Irreparable goods are passed to local artists, charities and small businesses for creative repurposing.
Garments that remain in stock are sold online, generating funds to subsidise free clothing for those in need and ensure our long-term sustainability.
We collaborate with local businesses and organisations to provide free clothing and workshops on repairs and garment care to people who are homeless, returning to work, or on low incomes.
Swap Shop Suffolk was founded to serve everyone in Lowestoft and across Suffolk who deserves access to quality clothing and sustainable choices — regardless of their income.
Got garments you no longer wear? Bring them to our weekly swap events and give them a second life in the community.
Visit our Lowestoft pop-up to swap what you have for something you'll love — or pick up quality items at minimal cost.
Bring in clothes for a repair or attend one of our workshops to learn how to mend and maintain your own wardrobe.
Articles, reports and stories about sustainable fashion, the true cost of fast fashion, and the circular economy movement. We share what we're reading.
Fashion accounts for around 10% of global carbon emissions — more than aviation and shipping combined. Here's a breakdown of why the industry is so polluting, and what a circular model can do about it.
The term gets thrown around a lot — but circular fashion is more than just second-hand shopping. It's about designing waste out of the system entirely. We explore what it means in practice.
Repairing a garment instead of replacing it is one of the single most effective things you can do for the planet. We look at the growing repair movement and how to get started at home.
Want to add an article? Share the link with us and we'll feature it here.
Email swapshopsuffolk@gmail.com with the subject line "Blog submission"
Whether you want to donate, volunteer, partner with us, or find out when our next event is — get in touch.