From Trash to Treasure
by Jeannine Gage
This spring, the Seminole County Environmental Services Department hosted a clothing swap that combined sustainability with neighborly connection.
The concept was simple: bring gently used clothing you no longer need and take items that others have contributed. But there was a deeper mission: reduce textile waste, spark conversations about environmental responsibility, and strengthen community ties.
Adeemir Dacenay, the county’s recycle program coordinator in the Solid Waste Management Division, says the idea for the event was influenced by his background in nonprofit work. While Adeemer always focuses on the mission at hand, he also considers what will benefit the community.
“Everybody has to wear clothes,” he says. “So, if that’s what gets them through the door, then it’s a win-win. They get something nice, and we reduce the amount of clothing going to the landfill.”
The event, held at the Casselberry Recreation Center, drew dozens of attendees who cleared out their closets and discovered new-to-them pieces – all without spending any money.
Sew Important
Volunteer seamstresses were on-site to mend garments and bring new life to items that might otherwise have been discarded. In total, 320 items were swapped, helping divert more than 600 pounds of textiles from the landfill.
Sanford resident Patricia Gonzalez heard about the event through social media. For her, the appeal was both practical and environmental.
“Instead of throwing away pieces that someone else can use, we can exchange,” says Patricia. “That is so great.”
Dave Davis, who helps run The Table Florida ministry in Winter Park, attended with a specific goal in mind. The nonprofit organization provides free meals and essential items to the community each week, and Dave saw the swap as an opportunity to redistribute surplus donations – particularly women’s clothing.
“We want to make sure the donations we get don’t end up in a landfill,” he says. “This kind of event is great because we know what we brought will go somewhere good, and what we take will help someone who needs it.”
Education Made Easy
While the clothing swap drew people in with the promise of adding to their wardrobes for free, it also opened the door to education. Adeemir emphasized the importance of explaining waste diversion, the practice of reducing what enters the landfill in the first place.
“Recycling and landfill impact can feel confusing and abstract,” he says. “We want to make it understandable and relatable. These types of events are perfect for that.”
To help residents navigate often-confusing recycling rules, the county is also rolling out tools such as QR-code enabled magnets that provide up-to-date information on what can be recycled curbside. It’s part of a broader effort to simplify and modernize environmental education.
The City of Casselberry served as Seminole County’s first municipal partner for these recycling-themed events, but Adeemir hopes it won’t be the last. Plans are in motion to expand the initiative to other types of events, including repair workshops and electronics swaps.
The impact that waste is having on our environment is of immediate concern.
“If we all stopped recycling today, our landfill would lose about 40 years of capacity immediately,” says Adeemir. “The dream is that every municipality hosts at least one of these events each year.”
To learn more, visit SeminoleCountyFL.gov.