What to do with Old School Uniform

The Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Bill became law on 29 April 2021. One of its key provisions promotes the reuse of school uniforms, such as giving old or unused uniform to friends or family with younger children, sold online through platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Vinted, or even upcycled into new items.

As a dedicated school uniform provider, we fully support schools in implementing this new legislation. To do so, we’ve explored various ways to facilitate the recycling of school uniforms.

We believe school uniforms should be made to endure. For uniforms to be successfully reused, they must be of exceptional quality. That’s why our focus on sustainability starts with creating garments designed for longevity—so they can be worn, outgrown, and handed down to other students. To ensure our products meet these standards, all our fabrics undergo rigorous testing by Bureau Veritas, a global authority in inspection and certification, to verify they can handle the daily rigours of school life.

Although we take pride in the durability of our uniforms, we recognise that children often experience rapid and unpredictable growth spurts. By encouraging the reuse and recycling of uniforms, we aim to ease these transitions for families, cut down on waste, and extend the lifespan of each piece of clothing.

You can find out more on our Sustainability Pledge page.

We’re a proud partner with Goods for Good, a charity that’s been making a real difference since 2014 by connecting surplus goods with people who need them most. Their mission is simple but powerful: to prevent waste and support individuals and families facing difficult circumstances — both in the UK and around the world.

When you send your unwanted clothing to us, we pass it directly on to Goods for Good. From there, these items are carefully redistributed to those in need.

Together, we’re not just reducing waste — we’re helping to restore dignity and bring comfort to people during some of the most challenging times in their lives.

Uniformis is a dedicated online marketplace for school uniforms, designed to support both parents and schools in reusing preloved items. Parents can buy and sell second-hand uniforms, while schools have the option to manage uniform exchanges directly through the platform. Similar to platforms like Vinted, Uniformis is purpose-built to support school uniform recycling.

Parents can list garments that are tied to specific schools, making it easy for other families within the same school community to find suitable items. The more families who take part, the more valuable Uniformis becomes as a shared resource—helping reduce waste and offering a cost-effective way to keep up with growing children’s uniform needs.

Uniformd is an easy-to-use online platform that allows schools to sell donated school uniform to parents all year round, with all proceeds going straight back to the school. It’s a simple and meaningful way to pass on outgrown or unused uniform while directly supporting your school community.

Uniformd offers discreet, judgment-free access to essential items such as school clothing, PE kits, and even sanitary products. It also aligns with your school’s Climate Action Plan by encouraging sustainable practices, and it serves as a smart solution for managing lost property.

In addition to uniform reuse, the platform supports fundraising through online donations and Gift Aid, and it makes event organisation and ticketing straightforward. Students can also take part—whether through school councils or by volunteering—giving them a chance to contribute. Best of all, the money raised goes directly to your school without any complicated admin.

Uniformerly is a straightforward and convenient way to buy and sell preloved school uniforms. If your child’s school is already registered, you can start listing outgrown items for free—there are no charges or commissions involved.

The site only displays listings linked to your specific school, so it’s quick and simple to find exactly what you need. Uniforms are available to buy all year round, giving families flexibility and helping stretch budgets further. There’s also the option to support your school through online donations.

With over 7,000 UK schools already taking part, Uniformerly is part of a growing movement to reduce textile waste and keep perfectly usable clothing out of landfill. Whether you’re selling or buying, it’s an easy way to contribute to uniform recycling and make a positive impact.

If you’re looking for a more hands-on way to get involved, consider organising a second-hand uniform sale during the summer term or setting up a stall at a school event any time of year. These events create a friendly, informal space where families can browse, sell, or swap preloved school uniforms.

Not only do they offer a practical way to save money and reduce waste, but they also help strengthen the sense of community within the school. Creating a welcoming, judgement-free environment helps remove any stigma around wearing second-hand items and can ease the financial burden for families—especially since children tend to outgrow clothes quickly and unexpectedly.

These events also offer a great opportunity to involve students. Whether they’re helping to organise, sort through donations, or run the stalls, it’s a meaningful way for them to contribute. It reinforces important values like responsibility, empathy, and environmental care—turning it into a whole-school effort with lasting impact.

One simple yet impactful way to support your school community is by setting up a space where parents can easily connect to donate, sell, or swap preloved school uniforms. A great option is to create a dedicated Facebook group for your school, where families can post items, request specific sizes, and arrange exchanges.

Working with other parents to launch and share the group helps build a relaxed, supportive environment that makes school uniforms more affordable and accessible. It’s a practical way to reduce waste, ease financial pressure, and keep uniforms in circulation throughout the year. Plus, it’s a great way to strengthen community ties and encourage a more sustainable, collaborative culture within your school.