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Swap Shop

People browse items at a mobile
Swap Shop, Central Saint Martins, UAL. Photo: Ana Blumenkron

A hub to donate or take away surplus and discarded materials, Swap Shop is the centre of sustainable material exchange and learning at Central Saint Martins.

Turning waste into creative opportunity, we connect and educate students and staff through the reuse of surplus materials. Extending material lifecycles and lowering environmental impact, by repurposing unwanted materials, we cut emissions, reduce landfill waste and support a circular economy.

Join us in building a more circular and responsible future by sharing, saving, learning and creating with the planet in mind.

How does it work?

  • Students and staff can exchange materials or have a chat with our knowledgeable team on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11am-4pm at the Airstream in the Street.
  • You don’t need to donate or swap materials to take something.
  • Please consider other users: only take what you need.

What can I find here?

Our stock depends on what has been donated. We welcome these materials:

  • wood, plastic, wax, clay, tape, paper, screws, acrylic, cardboard, fabric, blue tac, needles, sequins, trimmings, fixings, foam, pins, clips, string, vinyl, lino, paint, ink, rope, thread, ribbon and more!

We don’t accept flammables, sharp objects, electronics, poisons, corrosives, drugs or pressurised containers.

Explore more

  • A close-up landscape shot of a coral-coloured necklace made of bio-plastic worn on a body, with shoulders, top of chest, chin and mouth visible.
    'The Ocean Left Its Dead Alive', Lulu Tian, 2025 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Two people at an exhibition interacting closely next to large-scale hanging Chinese calligraphy on white material
    Thousand-Character Text, ZHEN WU, BA Fine Art 2025
  • Students walking past and watching a big screen.
    The Big Screen in the Street at CSM. Photo: Paul Cochrane