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Day 8: Christmas Jumper Day - be sustainable and save with Harper’s Festive Jumper Swap! 

At Harper Adams, we are always looking to try something slightly different to make an impact. In this guest blog, Environmental and Sustainability Manager Adam van Winsum sets out what we’ve changed this year, how staff and students can get involved and how it’s making a difference. 

Here at Harper, we love our annual .  

We are always super excited about everyone getting together today, Thursday December 8, to show off our jumpers and raise money for charity. 

Harper Adams - Christmas Jumper Day is raising money for Save The Children! All donations welcome - especially if you will be wearing your jumper on campus tomorrow!

— 91Pro (@HarperAdamsUni)

But did you know? 

• One in four Christmas jumpers end up in the bin by January 
• The population of the UK already owns approximately 65 million Christmas jumpers 

• Two out of five Christmas jumpers are only ever worn once before they are thrown away 

With so many festive jumpers already in people’s wardrobes, we decided to do something about it. 

So this year, we were wondering - rather than throwing out last year’s jumper, why not throw them in our donation carts instead? 

Carts have been located around campus for staff and students to drop off, or help themselves to, festive jumpers. 

Reusing or swapping your festive jumper is a great way to be more sustainable, save money and get a great new item for your wardrobe without buying yet another new jumper.  

Winfred Athembo, MRes Agro Ecology, has been helping to spread the message about our new scheme to students. 

She said: “Your jumper carries your story and the story of whoever made it, passing it on is like passing those beautiful stories forward and giving your jumper a new life.” 

Whilst we are looking at ways to curate more sustainable wardrobes - how about: 

• Check out your local charity shops 
• Swapping with your friends and family 

• Browse online marketplaces like , , or  
• Upcycling the clothes already in your wardrobe, there are loads of ideas on to get your creative juices flowing 

We would love to see your Festive jumper day posts, use #HarperChristmasJumperDay when you share your pics! 

For more information on how you can get involved in sustainable fashion campaigns check out . 

Got questions about sustainability at Harper? Contact me on sustainability@harper-adams.ac.uk 

Staff and students are invited to come to the common room, Main Building, dressed in their Christmas jumpers, for a hot drink and a mince pie at 11am on Thursday, December 8. 

(Top image: Christmas Jumper Day 2019)