T.O. the Good Swap: 2SLGBTQ+ Edition
T.O. the Good Swap is a monthly clothing exchange for all genders, all bodies, and all ages.
Date and time
Location
519 Church St
519 Church Street Toronto, ON M4Y 2C9 CanadaRefund Policy
About this event
T.O. the Good Swap is a monthly clothing exchange for all genders, all bodies, and all ages. Love clothes and the planet? Then you'll love this event...
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T.O. the Good Swap is partnering with The 519 to throw a special 2SLGBTQ+ swap.
Pride Month is around the corner, so stop by The 519 and find your sustainable parade 'fit! Or just swap for some new-to-you clothes for your closet.
The 519 is an inclusive space and we're happy to share this invitation with queer and trans folks.
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HOW THIS EVENT WORKS
1. Drop
Stop at the welcome area with up to 10 items of preloved clothing, footwear, jewelry, and accessories in good condition (laundered and folded, no rips, stains, used undies or socks).
2. Swap
Find some thing(s) you love and try it/them on.
3. Keep
Take what you want home with you. We ask that you to limit the amount you take home to a similar amount to what you brought. Remember: it's not about how much you get, it's about how much you'll wear it!
4. Share
Tag @t.o.thegoodswap to share your finds with the world. Sign up for our mailing list to find out when the next swap is!
Check out our FAQ page!
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OUR MISSION
Eliminate textile waste in Toronto and champion ethical and sustainable fashion practices globally by encouraging participation in the conscious fashion movement through swap events, advocacy, and education.
Our mission differs from service organizations such as clothing banks which provide access to free or low-cost clothing for those in need of it. This list of clothing banks in Toronto may be useful if you are looking for these services.
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WHY SWAP?
By swapping instead of shopping (or dumping your clothes at a thrift store), you’re participating in the circular economy, keeping clothing out of landfills, saving money, updating your wardrobe, avoiding unethical fast fashion and resource depletion, and sharing with a community of likeminded people… and sharing feels good.
All the sweet haul dopamine, none of the ethical dilemma!
Learn more about the fashion industry and how to care for clothing you truly no longer need on our Resources page.
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COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
- Be nice to each other. Respect physical boundaries. Remember it's just clothes.
- Ten items or less. Please be respectful of our ten item limit!
- Check your items: no holes, no stains, missing parts, clean, and ready to be loved by someone new.
- Wash your items in scent-free soap and fold them before attending.
- Respect physical boundaries.
- Don’t hoard. Try things on as you go so others can check them out if you decide not to keep them.
- Don’t hover. Please keep the drop-off table clear and let volunteers place the items before looking through them.
- Don’t use the swap as a dumping ground. The end-of-life care of your textiles is your responsibility. You bought it, you bury it.*
- Don’t take to sell. Please take items that you or someone you personally know will wear.
- Don’t do stuff that makes us have to write any more community guidelines.
*Don't actually bury it. 85% of textile waste ends up in landfills each year.
Fine print: *We don’t take responsibility for garments donated and swapped and accept no liability for any claim or loss resulting from any transaction taking place at the event.*
Swap at your own risk: The swap is a high traffic event, and the opportunity for germs and pests to spread is elevated. We ask that swappers always wash their clothing in scent-free soap before a swap and only attend if they are in good health, but please be advised that we cannot guarantee the conditions of items at - or outcomes of - the swap. Take precautions: wear a face mask, use hand sanitizer, and wash your items when you get home!
Check out our FAQ page for more info.
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VENUE & ACCESSIBILITY
The 519
The second floor event space and washrooms where this event will be held is accessible for mobility devices.
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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
TTGS takes place on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Tkaronto (Toronto) is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.
We are grateful to make use of this space and hope to learn from, and integrate, Indigenous knowledge and values into these events.
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OUR SWAP PARTNER
The 519 is committed to the health, happiness and full participation of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. A City of Toronto agency with an innovative model of Service, Space and Leadership, they strive to make a real difference in people’s lives, while working to promote inclusion, understanding and respect.
Wanna be a pal? Message us to talk about partnering and sponsorship!
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MORE QUESTIONS?
Check out our FAQ page!
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Frequently asked questions
Apparel! Ask yourself, “Would someone else want to wear this?”. If it’s clean and in good condition, the answer is probably yes! Just don’t bring items that are worn out, stained, or worse-for-wear. If you need help with the end-of-life of your apparel, please review our Resources page!
Oh gosh, please don't do that. People have lovingly added their items into the sharing economy and you'd be taking it right out. Let's keep the swap spirit alive!
If you can sell your own stuff, do it! Make that cash! BUT instead of dumping the gently used items you didn't sell at a thrift store bring them to the swap! You can read our Resources page to find out what actually happens to the clothing you donate to thrift stores (hint: it’s not great)!
Will someone else definitely want it? Then, yes, definitely! Will someone else POSSIBLY want it? Then no, probably not. Will no one else ever want it? Then, nope!
Honestly? We straight up do.not.know. That’s the magic of a swap - it’s all determined by the swappers! Invite friends of all shapes, sizes, gender expressions, and identities and we're sure to have an inclusive swap.
Hah. Nope, if you just want to donate your items that’s cool! If you can’t drop them off at the swap, let us know and we’ll can coordinate an early drop off time for you. Shoot an email to hello@goodswap.ca or DM us at @t.o.thegoodswap!
We want your clothes to go to a loving home with someone who really wants them, instead of a landfill. If items aren’t swapped or reclaimed, they will be kept for another swap or donated responsibly.