The Big Christmas Jumper Swap returns to the Harpenden Sustainability Market on Sunday 17th November on Harpenden Common (10am to 3pm).
The Harpenden Sustainability Market has become a regular fixture in the district, showcasing quality, local businesses with a focus on sustainable, circular and planet-friendly products and services.
At last year’s market dozens of jumpers were rehomed, helping to save residents money and save textiles waste too. The stall returns this year alongside our traders’ range of green gifts, eco treats and eco essentials, vegan food, artisan coffee and entertainment from The Reverbs Ukulele Group. Our thermal imaging camera volunteers will also be at the market
- DONATE good quality Christmas jumpers + outfits
- SELECT pre-loved jumpers for your family
- FREE you do not need to donate to receive
Why swap?
In research published by Hubbub in 2021, 2 out of 5 festive jumpers will only be worn once each year, and 1 in 3 people under 35 will buy a new jumper each year creating a single-use fast-fashion disaster. The vast majority of festive jumpers are made of plastic (acrylic, polyester, polyamide and similar) which leach micro-plastics every time they are washed, and take thousands of years to biodegrade.
The message is simple. There are millions of barely-worn jumpers which may not even be worn this year, and a potential audience for novelty and fun. No one needs to buy a new Christmas jumper: let’s just swap what we already have!
How will it work?
Sustainable St Albans volunteers will collect a ‘starter’ set of jumpers and also take festive knits on the day too. Market visitors can come along and browse our available stock and help themselves to any that fit their size and family needs: you don’t need to bring along one to swap and you don’t need to pay us a penny either! (If you’d like to support our work, you can donate here, but that’s entirely optional of course and not necessary!) And that’s it! A simple swap that keeps everyone happy!
I’ve got festive outfits, how do I donate them?
If you’re having a pre-season clear out, we will happily take donations of any festive jumpers, outfits, cardigans and clothing in the coming weeks.
- Bring them to the market on the 17th, the market takes place on Harpenden Common. All festive jumpers / outfits welcomed, children, babies, adults.
- Drop them off at Harpenden Town Council offices in Leyton road, during office hours any time before noon on Friday 15th November.
- Drop them off at the Green House in St Albans (https://thegreenhousestalbans.org) in the week of 10th-15th November.Â
- Schools – we will again collect jumpers from Harpenden schools; if you’d like to take part, please have the clean jumpers ready for collection on Friday 15th November (email markets@sustainablestalbans.org to arrange the time). Other District schools can drop off clean Christmas Jumpers at Green House in St Albans (https://thegreenhousestalbans.org) in the week of 10th-15th November or at Harpenden Town Council offices in Leyton road, during office hours any time before noon on Friday 15th November.
What about any leftover jumpers?
Of course, we will make sure that any unclaimed jumpers will be re-homed responsibly through local charities and community groups, local charity shops, schools and with textile recycling banks too. This project is one of many ways that Sustainable St Albans helps our community to find ways to enjoy and thrive while leaving as light a footprint as possible on our precious ecosystems.
Celebrating Sustainably
For ideas to celebrate sustainably, check out our blog and Festive Streets pages too. For other ideas for the rest of the year, check out our general pages.
How else can I volunteer?
If you’re around on the day (Sunday 17 November) we would love any time that you can volunteer to help at the market. All our events are run by volunteers and just an hour (though more would be great!) will really help the team. Please get in touch if you are able to help.