Media Release <Insert date here>

Planet Ark wants you to shop at a Big Aussie Swap

<insert organisation name> is inviting all Australians to look at their overflowing wardrobes and take part in a Big Aussie Swap during Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week from 9th -15th November.

Retail therapy will have a whole new meaning to Australians who choose to host or take part in a Big Aussie Swap, which allows you to update your wardrobe, books or bric-a-brac collection by swapping your unwanted items with a friend or someone else in your community. Swap parties are a great alternative to buying new items that you don’t need, lengthen the lives of useable items and promote community engagement.

<insert organisation name> is hosting its Big Aussie Swap Party at <location, date and time>.

<Insert spokesperson comment<insert spokesperson title>, <insert spokesperson name>.

Participants exchange good-quality items like clothes, books, CDs and accessories for tokens that are then used to ‘purchase’ pre-loved products that have been brought along by others.

“Textile waste in Australia accounts for 4.7% of landfill,” says Brad Gray, Head of Campaigns at Planet Ark. “With more than 225,000 searches on our RecyclingNearYou website for information on where to recycle clothing in the last year alone, it’s evident that Aussies are looking for ways to get rid of their unwanted clothes responsibly and swap parties are a great way to do this.”

Australians are invited to host a Swap Party at home, work or school, and can refer to Planet Ark’s Big Aussie Swap ‘How-To Guide’ for helpful advice and resources.

To download the ‘How-To Guide’, to find your nearest Big Aussie Swap event, or for more information about any of Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week initiatives, visit RecyclingWeek.PlanetArk.org or call the National Recycling Hotline on 1300 733 712.

Planet Ark founded National Recycling Week as a community education campaign in 1996, with the aim of bringing a national focus to recycling and minimising waste at home, at work and in the community. This year’s theme, All Sorted – Answering the Big Recycling Questions, is designed to help Australians improve their recycling habits.

National Recycling Week is kindly supported by Associate Sponsors Bingo Bins, Australian Packaging Covenant and ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ and Supporting Sponsors MobileMuster and Officeworks.

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<Insert name of organisation contact> Sara McGregor

<Insert organisation name> PR Manager, Planet Ark

<Insert contact tel number> 02 8484 7205 | 0424 591 241

<insert contact email>