'Eco-champion' organises football kit 'swap shop'

"Eco-champion" Zoe Sussmeyer has held many "clothes swap" events across the East Midlands, but now she is turning her attention to the world of sports.

Zoe says she encourages people to be sustainable - and now she wants football fans to consider how their kit collecting could impact the environment.

An event at Notts County fanzone The Nest will allow people to swap their clothing, with the aim of reducing landfill waste and saving people money on the latest kit.

"We're not forcing choices...what we're doing is making sure that people at least understand what the impact is," Zoe said.

"Pass It On" was co-founded by Zoe, Nicolette Bosworth and Georgina Hadjigeorgiou - who are all involved in various sustainability projects.

The "swap shop" will be on 13 July, and it is being supported by the football club.

Zoe, from Nottingham, said she had been environmentally aware from a young age, but that becoming a parent had inspired her to run events and take action.

"When you have a child of your own, and they start to ask you questions about 'why do we drive a car if it's bad for the planet', and they start to question, and then you just think we need to lead by example.

"[I want] younger people and the next generation to experience nature, wildlife, and clean air in a way that I was more used to growing up," she added.

She said recycling clothing had become more popular in recent years, however, recycling sportswear had been "untapped".

"There's a real stigma," she said, because according to her there was a pressure to have the latest kit, even amongst families where it would pose a financial strain.

"Second-hand doesn't mean second best."

The women behind "Pass It On" say that thousands of sports matches are likely to be cancelled this year because of "climate conditions".

Although this would only be a small part in the fight against climate change, implementing these changes "make a difference", said Zoe.

She added: "We're talking about quite a different beast in terms of changing perceptions and attitudes towards consuming clothing, and I think someone's just got to try."

The event will feature rails to donate and pick up clothing, local graffiti artists who can "pimp your trainers", a licensed bar, and street food.

The clothing will not exclusively be sportswear and the organisers said that most items would be welcome.

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