Wellington based charitable trust SASP (Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership) hosted a new Kit Swap event aimed at the re-use of sports equipment and clothing. The Kit Swap is aimed at Women’s sports clothing but the sports equipment is open for everyone.
Part of the In It Together Somerset project, the kit swap is designed to encourage people to get into sport. At times of financial pressure many people may find it hard to justify buying new sports clothing and equipment, Charlotte Norman, Women’s development officer for the In It Together project says that the kit swap is designed to help people and the environment.
Charlotte said: “The idea of the kit swap came from watching a webinar on reducing plastics in sport. I thought how can I help provide a better service to people getting into sport as there is a historical wastage problem in the industry.
“This is an opportunity to swap out any old active wear or sport equipment you might have for someone else’s!
“We are accepting things like sports bras, leggings, trainers, tops and t shirts, coats and jumpers, writs bands, reflective wear, hockey sticks, tennis/badminton rackets, roller skates, any protective padding, head torches and running/phone belts.”
The UK buys more clothes per person than any other country in Europe and the garment industry is reportedly the world third biggest. Most of the sports clothes we wear are produced in Asian countries which adds a sizeable carbon footprint onto the clothes themselves. That’s why Charlotte believes the kit swap is more important than ever. She said: “with the current situation we are in with the environment and the cost of living it is more important than ever to recycle and re-use.”
It is estimated that one sporting event can produce up to 750,000 tonnes of past pollution. Many agencies have urged regulating bodies to ban certain types of plastic from events. The In It Together kit swap is also promoting re-usable sports equipment such as, bio-degradable drinks bottles and aluminium free deodorant.
For more information visit : https://www.facebook.com/InItTogetherSomerset