Once again in partnership with Petersfield Climate Action Network we held the Christmas Present Exchange. This year’s event took place on Saturday 13th January, and saw 143 unwanted gifts donated, with 80% of them successfully rehomed. The remaining gifts were donated to charity.

Exchangers are able to deposit items during the first two weeks of the month, they receive a token and can return on exchange day to find something they want. Alternatively, tokens can be donated so that someone else in the community can choose a present.

PeCAN trustee Suzie Wilde said that the event was “not only a brilliant way to get some presents you actually do want – guilt free! – but also a joy. It was a pleasure to chat with people who shared our hopes for resilience and sustainability. A queue formed outside Winton House Centre ahead of opening – so next year, I’ll join them!”

Approximately £4 billion is spent on entirely unwanted gifts each year. This is equivalent to 4.8 million tonnes of CO2 produced from unwanted gifts nationally. But – one man or woman’s trash is another’s treasure…