Clothing Exchange

We are super excited to have Oxfam Australia on board to Celebrate National Swap Day with us. Our event is part of Oxfam’s Exchange for Change initiative and Oxfam representatives will be coming to our swaps to quiz our patrons about the 3things they like to do (starting with swapping clothes!) to save the planet. We interviewed Oxfam’s Lauren Robertson for her take on 3things…

1.      What is 3things all about?
3things is an initiative of Oxfam Australia. 3things is movement for global goodness. The idea is that if we all take steps to act ethically, sustainably and generously we can change the world one individual decision at a time. This can happen on a local, national or global scale – and through our combined small actions we can reduce poverty, live in a world where everyone has the opportunity to express their basic human rights and the environment is sustained. Young people are essential to this making this vision a reality. Not only do we have willingness and energy to influence social, political, economic and environmental events, but we’re also the first generation that’s connected enough to make it happen. So whether you’ve got 3 minutes, 3 weeks or more, you can do 3things to help change the world.

2.      How can we change the world with just 3 things?
There are so many problems in the world, sometimes it can be overwhelming to the point that you have no idea of how you can help to make a difference. What 3things does, is encourage people to break it down to 3 practical things that they could do. Incorporate these 3things into your life, then after awhile you’ll find that doing these 3things comes naturally, almost like a habit. So once your 3things are a habit, chose another 3things and start doing them.

In terms of how 3things can change the world- A good example I like to use is fair trade coffee. Think about how many people buy a coffee on their way to work, or buy coffee beans to make their own at home.  If all of these people thought about where their coffee beans were coming from and bought fair trade coffee, it would mean that all the coffee farmers around the world would receive a decent and fair wage. The flow on effect from this would be huge. Families would have more options for their children and whether they received an education. Farmers would have enough money to be able to feed their families and have somewhere to live. Health would improve because people would have a better diet. The positives that this would bring are endless. This would also be a sustainable way of dealing with poverty, as the farmers would not be relying on hand-outs; they would be helping themselves. This all starts with each individual making the decision to support cafes, shops and brands that are fair trade.

3.      How do others get involved?
Get online and add your 3things! www.3things.org.au and start doing.

4.      How many responses do you aim to get for your campaign?
We want everyone to get on board with 3things, so we’ll keep on spreading the word about it until our entire generation is thinking and acting ethically, sustainably and generously.

5.      What do you like about collaborating with The Clothing Exchange for National Swap Day?
We love partnering with like-minded organizations. They are so many great initiatives happening now in the area of ethical and sustainable fashion and consumption, we think it’s better to work together towards the same goal than it is to work separately. We’re looking forward to the swap happening along the east coast; we’ll be there with our 3things chalkboards asking swappers our infamous question: What are 3things you can do to help change the world?