IKEA x Let’s Go Zero Competition

Students from Beith Primary’s ‘School Improvement Committee’ submitted their idea to create a new school uniform exchange shop at the heart of their building.

Over 1.4 million wearable school uniforms are thrown away each year in the UK. As a school that’s committed to reducing the amount of waste they produce, Beith Primary wanted to take action to tackle this by creating a school culture where everyone is comfortable and confident reusing and wearing second-hand school clothes. 

Together with IKEA designers, Beith Primary will be able to build a new, dedicated space for parents, children and families to choose their school clothes and accessories in a bright, cheerful, well-organised environment that ensures dignity and respect for all. The swap shop will be used to help children and their families learn more about the environmental impact of fast fashion and the benefits of reusing clothes.

It will also help reduce vehicle emissions within the school community. As there are currently no clothing shops in Beith, families  must travel nearly 15 miles to purchase a school uniform, with no train routes and limited bus service available. By creating an easy-to-access and welcoming uniform exchange at the centre of the school, families will be able to get what they need in town without having to take unnecessary car journeys.