Residents Invited to Launch of Monthly Clothing Swap Events July 17
The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) is announcing the first of monthly A2ZERO Clothing Swap events this Thursday, July 17, 4–7 p.m. at Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St., on the second floor in City Council chambers and (weather permitting) the promenade. Residents are invited to bring in their gently used clothes and find new-to-them treasures to take home. Events will continue on the third Thursday of each month, at the same time and city hall location.
Each person can bring up to five items of clothing, which must be washed and in good condition. Accessories are also welcome. Attendees may take clothing without bringing any or bring clothing without taking anything — all for free! Items remaining at the end of each event will be donated to Kiwanis Thrift Sale or reused at the following month’s clothing swap. Please RSVP at https://lu.ma/a2zeroclothingswaps.
Clothing swaps are an integral part of Ann Arbor’s plan to enhance the local circular economy — an economy where waste is designed out and the life cycle of items is extended. City officials note keeping clothes out of landfills means these pieces contribute less pollution to the atmosphere and fewer microplastics into our land and waterways. Through six swaps and more than 150 attendees over the course of the city’s A2ZERO Week 2025 celebration in June, 443 pounds of clothing was diverted from landfills and waterways, and 650 articles of clothing recirculated. The city explains these successful events have shown that Ann Arborites are ready to participate, while simultaneously protecting air, water and our collective health.
According to the World Economic Forum, the fast-fashion industry produces 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply. Clothing swaps help reduce carbon emissions by encouraging circular fashion, extending the use of existing garments, and decreasing the need for new clothing production — ultimately minimizing the environmental impact of manufacturing and waste.
“We’re excited to kick off this ongoing series of swap events, with the goal of making swapping a regular, community-driven alternative to buying new in Ann Arbor,” said Genevieve Rattray, sustainability and innovations manager at the City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations. “Beyond the positive impact on the climate, we also look forward to creating more opportunities for connection, gathering and community building.”
Waste reduction, reuse and movement toward a circular economy are all a part of A2ZERO, the City of Ann Arbor’s plan, vision, framework and associated actions to achieve a just and equitable transition to carbon neutrality, community-wide, by the year 2030. Learn more about A2ZERO and get involved at a2zero.org.
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Media Contact:
Genevieve Rattray, Sustainability and Innovations Manager, City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations, grattray@a2gov.org