Community Events That Make Sustainable Fashion Simple
Clothing exchanges, mending workshops, and circular economy education designed for neighborhoods, schools, and community partners.
Past Events and Community Collaborations
Mending Workshops
Repair circles and hands-on community mending events that teach people how to extend the life of their clothing. These gatherings inspire creativity, self-sufficiency, and a deeper connection to personal wardrobes.
Community Clothing Exchanges
Clothing swaps hosted across Columbus and Bexley — designed to be welcoming, organized, and zero-waste. These events help hundreds of garments find new homes every year.
Speaking, Panels & Community Education
Highlights from presentations and panels with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), the Ohio EPA, Ohio State University, Rotary, libraries, schools, and community partners across the state.
Community Textile Collection Pilot
Last summer’s textile-waste collection pilot in Columbus — designed by Circular Thrift and run by SWACO with partners including Goodwill Columbus the Ohio State University — let residents drop off worn-out, stained, or damaged clothing (items unsuitable for donation) instead of sending them to landfills.
The pilot collected over 26,000 lbs of such textiles, which were turned into products like insulation or filling — to test the feasibility of a long-term textile recycling program for Central Ohio.
WHY WE HOST EVENTS
At Circular Thrift, we believe the most powerful shifts happen at the neighborhood level. Our events make sustainable fashion accessible, social, and fun — whether it’s a simple clothing exchange or a hands-on mending workshop where people reconnect to the clothes they already own.
These gatherings reduce waste, keep textiles in circulation, and build stronger communities.
FEATURED RESOURCE: THE CIRCULAR THRIFT GUIDE
The Circular Thrift Guide is the complete toolkit for hosting your own clothing swap or mending event. It includes templates, checklists, signage, logistics, volunteer roles, promotion tips, and everything needed to run a smooth, joyful community gathering.
Perfect for: synagogues, Rotary Clubs, sustainability committees, universities, brand partners, schools, parent groups, and local government teams.
HOST YOUR OWN EVENT
Ready to bring a clothing swap, mending workshop, or sustainability talk to your community?
Circular Thrift makes it easy — whether you want to host the event yourself or have us support your team.