From bin rags to glad rags
Date: 12/11/09
Celebrities, including Emma Thompson, Ridley Scott, Julian Clary and Terry Gilliam have donated items of clothing to Camden Council in support of a new environmental campaign. The small steps campaign aims to encourage residents to take small steps to become environmentally friendly in their every day life.
At the launch event today (Thursday 12 November) at Swiss Cottage library, Camden Council will work with national charity TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) to raise awareness of the urgent need to reduce the amount of textile waste sent to landfill. To date TRAID has successfully diverted 1022.3 tonnes of unwanted textiles from landfill sites in partnership with local London authorities, businesses and communities.
The UK spend £46 billion on clothes and accessories every year and throw away 1.2 million tonnes of clothing. Discarded clothing and shoes are typically sent to landfill. Workshops will be running with designers from TRAID to provide a solution to this problem. Designers will provide tips and techniques to adjust update and revamp old clothes, providing a stylish alternative to buying new. The celebrity’s clothes will be restyled and turned into high street fashion pieces and fashion accessories.
After the workshops, participants will have the opportunity to direct and snap their own fashion shoot. Everyone involved will get to keep their recycled design and photos.
Ridley Scott, Director, who donated a cap from his latest film, Robin Hood, said:
“I am delighted to support Camden Council’s campaign to encourage residents to take small steps to be greener in their every day life. It’s good to know that the Robin Hood cap I donated will be given a new lease of life.”
The Council’s ‘small steps’ campaign provides a raft of initiatives to support people and include:
* A new and improved website which will enable you to get information you need about the environment as quickly as possible.
* A freephone environmental helpline which can offer you advice on anything from draught-proofing to sustainable gardening.
* A range of small steps hubs at popular locations across Camden with innovative displays and access to a range of environmental information.
The Energy Doctor will also be at the launch to show people how they can reduce their fuel bills.
Attendees will be asked to make a Green Promise: a pledge to take one small step to make the world more environmentally friendly.
Camden Council Leader, Councillor Keith Moffitt, said:
“Tackling climate change is one of the most important priorities for Camden Council, and we are making it easier for residents and local businesses to do their bit. Taking small steps like switching off lights and appliances when not in use, or walking or cycling to work can make a real positive change.”
Councillor Chris Knight, Executive Member for Environment, Camden Council said:
“Taking small steps in the way we all work, live and travel can make a huge difference. That’s why we are calling on Camden residents to come together to help fight climate change. I’m excited to see Camden becoming a leading low carbon and low waste borough.”
Celebrities who have donated clothes include:
Julian Clary - Christian Lacroix shirt
Emma Thompson - black Prada jacket
Ridley Scott - a cap from his new film Robin Hood
Victoria Wood - jumper
Terry Gilliam - jeans
Damian Lewis - jacket
Helen Mcrory - a red velvet jacket
Pauline Collins - three piece Jean Muir suit
Derek Jacobi - Italian trousers
Martin Amis -a tie
Small steps can make a big difference, if all Camden households turned their thermostats down by 1°C they could save around £5,799,300 per year and almost 29,700 tonnes of CO2 per year. This is enough to pay the yearly fuel and power bills for more than 5,000 households.
Notes to editors
Pictures available from the event.
Camden Council is committed to making Camden a low carbon and low waste borough, and is implementing measures to enable it to cut 10% of CO2 and 20% of waste by 2012.
Our environmental commitments are outlined in the Council’s Environmental Sustainability Delivery Plan 2008-12, Delivering a Sustainable Camden.
The event runs from 12.45-7.30pm. To book a place on a workshop contact poppy.lyle@camden.gov.uk
Discarded clothing and shoes are typically sent to landfill. Textiles present particular problems in landfill. Synthetic (man-made fibres) products do not decompose. Woollen garments do decompose, but in doing so they produce methane, which contributes to global warming and climate change
Page last updated Nov 12, 2009 9:54 AM
Contact Camden 020 7974 4444