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NEWS

Rethinking Consumption Together: A Swap Party in Rome

  • Rome, Italy

How often do we buy something new without ever considering a second-hand alternative?

 

At MoloX in Rome, this simple question became the starting point for a meaningful community event focused on sustainability, sharing, and social impact. Hosted by Ostia Clean-Up and Europiamo, in the context of the Youth Green Compass project, the initiative invited dozens of young people to explore new ways of consuming—ones that are more conscious, inclusive, and environmentally responsible.

 

Organised in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the event transformed the MoloX venue into a lively space of exchange, dialogue, and participation.

 

Photo by Chiara Sugaroni

Giving Objects a Second Life

 

At the heart of the event was a Swap Party designed to challenge the logic of fast consumption. Participants were invited to bring clothes in perfect condition and exchange them for books selected from a large collection of second-hand volumes. These books, in turn, had been donated by local citizens, creating a virtuous circle of reuse and shared value.

 

What emerged was more than a simple exchange of items. Each swap told a story: clothes passed from one person to another, books finding new readers, and objects regaining meaning instead of ending up forgotten in a drawer—or worse, discarded.

 

This kind of initiative shows how sustainability can be accessible and practical. Choosing to swap or buy second-hand is not about giving something up, but about discovering new possibilities while reducing waste.

Photo by Chiara Sugaroni

The event also had a strong social dimension. In collaboration with Croce Rossa Italiana – Comitato di Roma 10, participants were encouraged to bring used toys in excellent condition to be donated to children who need them most. Once again, the focus was on care: care for the environment, but also care for people. Especially during the holiday season, small gestures like donating a toy can make a tangible difference and help build a more inclusive community.

 

For those who could not attend the event, the initiative continued beyond the day itself. MoloX remained a collection point for toy donations, reinforcing the idea that solidarity does not end when an event is over.

Photo by Chiara Sugaroni

A Space for Youth, Community, and Change

 

MoloX proved to be the perfect setting for this initiative—a place where young people can meet, exchange ideas, and experiment with new ways of living sustainability. The atmosphere throughout the day was informal and welcoming, encouraging conversations about consumption habits, environmental responsibility, and the power of collective action.

 

By bringing together reuse, culture, and social engagement, the event demonstrated that sustainability is not just about environmental protection—it is also about relationships, awareness, and shared responsibility. Sometimes, changing direction doesn’t require a radical shift—just a different way of looking at what we already have. At MoloX, that change started with a swap, a donated book, or a toy passed on with care, pointing toward a more conscious and connected future.

 

 

This initiative is part of Youth Green Compass, a project funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme.