Over 1.4 million wearable school uniforms are thrown away in the UK each year. That’s why it’s crucial to focus on sustainable practices like buying second-hand clothing and books. By choosing pre-loved items, we can cut waste, boost the lifespan of products, and minimise the environmental footprint of industries like fashion and publishing.
MAKE YOUR OWN….
School Uniform Swap Shop!
This Climate Action Countdown challenge, swap new for second-hand by organising a school uniform swap day. This not only helps save money on expensive school uniforms but also reduces textile waste. Work with your class to collect old items of school uniform that no longer fit, creating a culture of reuse and sustainability.
Make sure items are in clean, good condition, and check your Lost Property pile for any un-named, unclaimed uniform.
Check Freecycle or local networks for free storage to make your pop-up swap shop look like a boutique that parents and pupils will want to visit. This could be clothes rails and hangers, or shelving. Try to get items with wheels so they can be brought onto the playground or school hall for events – this could be summer and Christmas fairs, parents evenings, coffee mornings or even a weekly occasion.
Does your school have an eco team? You could ask them to help. Make your swap shop more appealing by decorating with fairy lights, design some cool posters and practice speaking skills by helping staff the swap shop.
If you can’t find storage through Freecycle, get your eco club to write letters to your local supermarkets asking for any ex-display furniture such as rails and hangers; they are usually keen to help good causes.
Did you know?
The fashion industry creates about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply?
MAKE YOUR OWN….
Book Swap!
Save trees and swap stories by holding a book swap in your school. Encourage students, parents, and teachers to bring in a book they’ve enjoyed. Then, host a lunchtime or evening event where everyone can exchange books and take home something new to dive into. Students could even write a message on the front page about why they’ve enjoyed the book so much to encourage others to read it.
Want to do more? Spotlight on Great Big Green Week
The Great Big Green Week stands as the UK’s largest celebration of community-driven action aimed at combatting climate change and preserving nature. It’s a time when people from all walks of life unite to show their support for initiatives that protect our planet. Across the nation, hundreds of thousands of individuals join hands to champion the small yet significant steps being taken to safeguard nature and confront the challenges of climate change.
This year, the spotlight is on the power of swaps—whether it’s exchanging books, clothes, skills, or ideas. By making small everyday swaps, we can make a significant impact.
Explore the Great Big Green Week website for a plethora of resources to help schools participate in this week of action. From classroom activities to lesson plans and presentation decks, there’s something for both primary and secondary schools. The materials revolve around the concept of trading cards, illustrating the impact we can make collectively through swaps on a larger scale.
It’s essential to remember that every choice we make has an impact. By embracing second-hand shopping and participating in swaps, we contribute to a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a positive difference and create a world where our actions align with the well-being of the planet. Let’s harness the power of swaps and show that small changes truly can lead to significant outcomes.
Join the Great Big Green Week this June and let’s swap together—for the good of our planet!
