All About School Uniform Exchanges

Rebecca Wilson, passionate about recycling across South Yorkshire
Rebecca Wilson
18 Aug 2024

As the start of the school year approaches, many parents face the high costs of purchasing new school uniforms.

 

Every year in the UK, we throw away 300,000 tonnes of clothing, much of which is still in fantastic condition. Many clothes, especially those of children and young people, are discarded simply because they no longer fit. A uniform reuse project aims to give these items a new home.

 

School uniform exchanges are a great way to pass on your child’s outgrown items and acquire new-to-you ones.

What Are School Uniform Exchanges?

A school uniform exchange is a simple way of pairing clothes with new owners, stopping good quality clothing from going to waste, and helping families save money.

 

Benefits of School Uniform Swaps

  • Cost Savings
    The average cost of school uniforms alone is a staggering £251 per child in primary school and £316 per child in secondary school. This is a significant expense for many families, especially those with multiple children.
    As the number of children living in poverty in the UK increases, so does the average annual cost of school uniforms. Many schools require uniforms from specialist suppliers, resulting in significantly higher costs than uniforms made up of generic pieces readily available from the high street and supermarkets.

  • Environmental Impact
    The fashion and textiles industry is one of the largest polluters globally, contributing more to climate change than shipping and aviation combined. When clothes, such as school uniforms, are thrown away, it increases this pollution. Swapping uniforms also extends the life of garments, reducing waste and the demand for resources to produce new ones.

 

Getting Started

There are many ways you can run your uniform exchange. Here are two examples:

  • Token System
    In a token system, participants bring in items such as trousers, coats, or shirts and receive tokens in exchange. These tokens can then be redeemed for an equivalent number of items at a swap event (e.g., bringing in three items earns you three tokens, which you can use to select three different items).
    Token systems typically require a larger amount of space for a shorter amount of time, allowing items to be displayed for others to browse (similar to a typical clothes swap shop).
    It’s important to inform participants that contributing items does not guarantee that a suitable swap will be available and that the items contributed cannot be returned. As such, it may not always be possible to redeem all tokens.

  • Request Service
    A request service involves collecting donated uniforms from individuals or lost property, sorting them, and then giving them to others upon request.
    This method typically requires less space but needs to be operated over a longer period, often for the entire school year. Storage boxes are helpful for keeping items organised and clean between donations and distribution.
    This system requires a smaller, long-term space for storing and sorting donations, with clear instructions on how requests can be made. Request forms can help track and fulfil requests efficiently. It’s essential to clarify that not all requests may be fulfilled and to consider referral systems for accessing the service.

 

Both systems have their advantages and can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your school or community. By choosing the right approach, you can create a uniform exchange that effectively supports families and promotes sustainability.

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