VaateSWAP fills Tampere-talo with thousands of free garments: swap donations for vouchers

Visitors can swap unwanted clothing for SWAP vouchers and use them to pick up items at Finland’s largest clothing-exchange area. A pre-drop will be held on Friday 16 October at Sorsapuistosali (14:00–18:00).

The event is part of the city's recycling super day on 17 October which features three simultaneous swap events including a large clothing exchange.

Moron Peräkonttikirppis collected about 800 kg of clothes, shoes and accessories for the swap, organisers say. Some donations have already been passed on to the Night of the Homeless, and any leftovers after the exchange will go to Nextiili and Tampere recycling centres.

Visitors receive one SWAP voucher per donated item and may redeem one voucher for a garment, a pair of shoes or an accessory. Each attendee can get up to ten SWAP vouchers for new finds, even if they bring more items.

The event offers two entry routes. Route A is for people dropping off clothes at the door and includes the reception and voucher issuance, while Route B is for those who have already dropped items and leads straight to the exchange area via Tampere-talo’s main entrance.

Korjaa.se Areena in the Puistolämpiö will offer free repair and mending advice from groups including Annen Suutari, Ekokumppanit, HuomentaMuovi, SecondHand TRE, Hämeen-Pirkanmaan Martat, Nextiili and Tammerkosken lukio. A pop-up sustainability café will serve caramel apple pastries and drinks.