On Saturday, March 22, the San Anselmo Public Library hosted a clothing swap to promote sustainability and create an opportunity for the community to refresh their wardrobes. Running from 12 p.m. to three p.m., the event invited attendees to donate clothes, take items they needed, and connect with fellow thrifters. High school students from Archie Williams and Redwood High School organized the event through their volunteer positions at the library and programs at their schools, including Archie Williams’ SEA-DISC Academy.

SEA-DISC is one of the three academies at Archie Williams and offers a two-year program for upperclassmen. Students collaborate on projects that combine science, chemistry, and social studies to address real-world environmental and social issues. The academy also allows seniors to participate in an internship of their choice, one of which is offered by the San Anselmo Public Library.

The swap was located on the lower level of the San Anselmo Public Library and had participants of all ages. The clothing swap was set up with clothing racks and tables spread across the room. Volunteers collected clothes for weeks prior to the event, using a donation box set up in the library. 

The clothing swap allowed participants to freely give and take items without being obligated to donate. Grace Garvey, a senior at Archie Williams and an intern at the San Anselmo Library , helped organize the swap. Grace highlighted the importance of the clothing swap in reducing waste and promoting sustainable fashion.

“The goal is simply to keep the life cycle of these clothes going and make sure they’re reused instead of going to waste… By not throwing away clothes and not buying fast fashion for new ones, we can help the environment in an easy way,” Grace said.

Hannah Radley, a San Anselmo local, attended the event with her mother, Karen Ludwig. 

“Last year we [came] here, and it was such a fun experience. We decided to donate six bags of clothes again this year. It’s great to be able to contribute to something that is trying to be sustainable, but it also helps me clean out my closet,” Radley said.

Ludwig also enjoyed the event, as it allowed her to find new items to expand her wardrobe, discover gifts for holidays, and find second-hand items she could use.

“I already found so many clothes, like a pair of Christmas-themed gloves that I’m planning to use as a white elephant gift. I also found a jacket that I will wear myself, and I don’t mind at all that it’s secondhand because at least it’s waterproof,” Ludwig said.

The event was not only an opportunity to exchange clothes but also a chance to raise awareness about sustainability. Any leftover clothes were collected and donated to local charities, ensuring they were put to good use and not wasted.

The focus on community and sustainability will continue at the upcoming Sustainability Fair May 3. SEA-DISC is organizing the fair, and it will include local groups like the San Anselmo Climate Action Commission and Friends of the Corte Madera Creek Watershed. The fair will offer a space for community members to learn about environmentally conscious habits and to learn about the SEA-DISC Earth Day projects.