Derry public encouraged to donate to next year’s 'Halloween Swap Shop'

As Halloween 2023 draws to end, Derry City and Strabane District Council are urging the public to donate their old costumes this week, instead of ditching them or taking up space at home.  

Give your costume or props a second lease of life by donating it to next year’s Costume Swap Shop. Following an incredibly successful swap shop this year, Council have now decided to plan for 2024 and start collecting donations early. Council are encouraging everyone to donate their costumes in the next few weeks instead of taking up valuable storage space at home as we prepare for Christmas.

You can cut the clutter at home by dropping your old costumes off to one the Boo-tique bins in Derry or Strabane before the 17th November 2023. The locations in Derry include the Guildhall, Council Offices on Strand Road, 4Rs New 2U at Pennyburn Recycling Centre and The Waterside Shared Village. Drop off locations in Strabane include The Alley Theatre and Council Offices on Derry Road.

Donating your costumes and props allows you to rejuvenate your old items and save someone else some money in the process.

Poppy Young got her beautiful ‘Environmental Princess’ costume at this year’s Halloween Costume Swap Shop in the Guildhall. The eight-year old Eglinton Primary School student encouraged everyone to get involved in next year’s Halloween Costume Swap Shop.

“I was going to be a witch but then I went to the swap shop and I fell in love with this red princess dress and I wore it to school for Halloween. I’m going to donate it back to next year’s swap shop and get something different there next year. I’m helping save the environment and my pocket money. Everyone should, it’s brilliant.”

Julie Hannaway, Recycling Officer at Derry City and Strabane District Council, encouraged everyone to drop off their old costumes and help to make next year’s event bigger and better.

“Following our hugely successful Costume Swap Shop this year, we have realised there is a great demand for this in our local communities. People are not only realising the financial benefits of this kind of event, but also the fantastic impact it has on our overall carbon footprint.

Poppy Young, 8, from Eglinton Primary School dressed up as a princess after finding her perfect Halloween costume at this year’s Halloween Costume Swap Shop.

“To prepare for next year, and deliver an even better Costume Swap Shop experience, we want to start collecting costumes in early and what better time than right after Halloween.

"Instead of throwing your costume in the bin or putting it away in a cupboard knowing you won’t wear it again, why not donate it and give it a second chance at life. We have a range of drop off locations right across the city and district to make it easy and we would appreciate people to get their donations in early so we can plan ahead for 2024.”

Visit www.derrystrabane.com/costumedonations for more information.