Schoolwear specialist Total Clothing recently ran a school uniform swapping event as part of its ‘Share, Reuse and Recycle’ commitment.
Total Clothing has been collecting school uniform since 1 October 2019 for the swap day. The event itself took place at the retailer’s Botolph Bridge store in Peterborough on 1 February 2020.
On receiving the outgrown school uniform items, Total Clothing checked the garments to ensure they were in good condition. The donator then received a token in return, which they could use at the event to swap for replacement items.
The cash-free swapping service allows parents to reuse and recycle school uniform; helping customers with both affordability and sustainability.
“The event went really well,” says Jan Richardson, managing director at Total Clothing. “More than 100 items were swapped in a couple of hours.
“We had plenty of items left as parents were generous with their donations. We have kept the remaining unswapped items in the shop for the week. Anything left afterward is going to charity.
“We are getting in touch with charities such as Foodbank, so it can send its clients in our direction and we can donate to those who really need it. We will also send items over to Sierra Leone where we work with the David School.”
Total Clothing is a member of the Schoolwear Association (SA), the representative trade body for the school-specific uniform sector.
The SA has launched its ‘Every Child Is Worth It’ campaign to highlight the benefits of a school uniform and ensure that every child can go to school in a proper uniform.
David Burgess, chair of the SA, praised the Total Clothing team for its efforts supporting parents. “It’s brilliant to highlight the outstanding work so many schoolwear suppliers and retailers are doing to help parents with the costs of uniform; not to mention the important issue that the textiles industry is having on the environment.
“The impact of fast fashion on our planet is becoming increasingly important, so it is vital that people do as much as possible to recycle and reuse clothing.
“Of course, events like this are only possible thanks to quality, well-made uniform that is durable enough to withstand the rigours of the school day and can be passed down to family or friends, or reused.”
Total Clothing won Best Schoolwear Specialist in the SA Awards 2018. For further information on the company, please click here.
