Libraries offer pre-loved Halloween costume swaps

Parents can rehome pre-loved outfits

An initiative to help people recycle and reuse Halloween costumes is taking place across a county's libraries.

Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs libraries in Devon, is running a programme in partnership with Recycle Devon to encourage people to swap unwanted fancy dress outfits.

It said Halloween costume swap rails would be available at a number of libraries, including Kingsbridge, Exeter and Dawlish.

Beth Lovell from Recycle Devon said: "With 40% of Halloween costumes being worn only once before being thrown away, partnering up with libraries to help costumes be reused as much as possible, whilst also helping local families, is brilliant."

'Save money'

It said parents and carers can swap or rehome a pre-loved outfit for free, with no requirement to donate.

According to Hubbub and Fairyland Trust, Halloween costumes generate over 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, equivalent to 83 million plastic bottles.

Kate Turner, head of library service and customer experience at Libraries Unlimited, said: "Halloween is all about fun and creativity, but it can be incredibly wasteful. Halloween costume swaps are a wonderful way to reduce waste and save money.

"Libraries are all about sharing resources, and this initiative fits perfectly with our charity values. We are excited to be part of something that brings people together while doing good for the environment."

The libraries involved in the scheme are:

• Dawlish Library

• Barnstaple Library

• Sidmouth Library

• Kingsbridge Library

• Exeter Library

• Holsworthy Library

• Buckfastleigh Library

• Okehampton Library

• Cullompton Library

• Pinhoe Library

• South Molton Library

• Tavistock Library