The Big Aussie Swap Party

The annual Big Aussie Swap Party hits Sydney's Martin Place in celebration of National Recycling Week on Tue 10 Nov. Never been to a Swap Party? Here's how it works...

Swappers are allowed to bring along three easy-to-carry high-quality items that they wish to swap (books, CDs, clothes and all manner of junk deluxe bric-a-brac is the usual currency). Each item is then exchanged for one token at a registration desk whereupon swappers are unleashed on the Swap Party to sort, swap and enjoy in one big, beautiful treasure hunt!

As usual, full Swap Party etiquette will be observed on the day, namely the mystic wisdom and tribal rite that dictates that when two or more swappers want the same item and are judged to have equal claim to it, a sudden death match of ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors' ensues. That's right, folks - two swappers enter, but only one swapper leaves.

This year's Swap Party - a totally free event co-hosted by City of Sydney and Planet Ark - has as its mistress of ceremonies, jazz chanteuse and Play School host, Monica Trapaga. And be assured: Miss Trapaga will enforce the law of Swap Party Thunderdome to the hilt.

Councils in Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Parramatta, and Wollongong will be hosting swap parties simultaneously at 12:30pm on Tuesday 10 November 2009, but here in Sydney early birds can register their swap items at the registration desk in Martin Place from 11am and enjoy entertainment from 11.30am.

And because it's National Recycling Week, Sydneysiders are being urged to also bring along any unused mobile phones, toner cartridges, corks and even eye-glasses for recycling at collection stations set up near Martin Place station.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said of last year's hugely successful event: "The Swap Party is about encouraging sustainability, recycling and reuse.... a chance for Sydney to gather and exchange items in a fun forum that promotes recycling and reuse while reducing our footprint on the environment."

The City of Sydney is aiming for a 70 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 as part of its Sustainable Sydney 2030 strategy. A key part is about using resources more efficiently, recycling and reusing products and waste where possible. Enter the Swap Party.