How to Recycle School Uniform
Made to Last
The Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Bill passed into law on 29 April 2021. Part of the new Bill includes measures on the recycle of school uniform to encourage second-hand uniform sales and donations.
As a school uniform supplier, we are very keen to support schools with the new legislation. Therefore, we have done some research into different methods of recycling school uniform. School Uniform should be made to last. In order to enable people to recycle school uniform, we have to ensure the uniforms we provide are high quality. That's why our commitment to sustainability begins with building durability into every garment so they can be worn, outgrown, and then passed on to siblings or other pupils. All our fabrics are rigorously tested by Bureau Veritas, a global leader in testing and certification, to ensure they can withstand the demands of daily school life.
While we’re confident our uniforms are built to last, we also understand that children grow—often unpredictably—making it necessary to size up more often than expected. By supporting the reuse and recycling of school uniform, we aim to make these transitions easier for families while helping reduce waste and extend the life of each garment. Read more about this on our Sustainability Pledge page.
1. Send it to us
We’re proud to 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.
2. Uniform Selling Platforms
Uniformis is a dedicated school uniform marketplace that can be used either by parents to buy and sell preloved school uniforms, or by schools to manage uniform exchange directly. It functions similarly to platforms like Vinted, but is specifically designed to recycle school uniform. Parents have the option to list items for sale that are linked to a particular school, making it easier for other families from the same school to find what they need. By encouraging more parents to contribute, Uniformis can become a valuable resource for the entire school community—helping families save money and reduce clothing waste.
Uniformd is an online marketplace for schools to sell donated uniform all year round to parents, with funds going directly back to the school. This is a great way to pass on unwanted uniform in a way that supports your community. The platform provides stigma-free access to essential items like uniforms, school kit, and even sanitary products. It supports your school’s Climate Action Plan by promoting sustainability and offers an efficient lost property solution. Uniformd also helps with fundraising through cash donations and Gift Aid, and simplifies event management and ticketing. Plus, it gives students the chance to get involved, whether through school councils or volunteering. Money raised goes directly back to your school with no complicated reconciliations.
Uniformerly is a platform for recycling school uniforms, making it easy to buy and sell pre-loved items. If your school is already on the site, you can start listing outgrown uniforms for free, with no fees or commission. The platform only shows listings from your school, and you can access pre-loved uniform options year-round. You can also support your school through online donations. Uniformerly is part of a growing community of over 7,000 UK schools, and by reusing uniforms, you’re helping reduce waste and keep items out of landfills. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, it’s a simple way to participate in the recycling of school uniforms.
3. Second Hand Sale
If you want to take a more hands-on approach, you could organise a second-hand uniform sales day during the summer term, or have a stall at a school event throughout the year. This gives parents the opportunity to come along, buy, sell, or swap pre-loved school uniform in a relaxed and welcoming setting. It’s a great way to build community, save money, and promote sustainability all at once.
By creating a stigma-free environment that celebrates reuse and practicality, you help take the pressure off families who may be feeling the financial strain of buying new uniform — especially as children can grow out of clothes quickly and unexpectedly. Hosting this kind of event not only supports parents and carers, but also reinforces a positive message to pupils about reducing waste and looking after the planet.
You could even get students involved by helping to set up, sort items, or run stalls — making it a whole-school initiative that encourages kindness, responsibility, and environmental awareness.
4. Facebook Groups
A simple and effective way to give back to your school community is by creating a space where parents can easily communicate about donating or selling pre-loved uniform. One easy option is to organise a Facebook group specifically for your school, where parents and carers can list items, request sizes, or arrange swaps.
By working together with other parents to set it up and promote it, you create a supportive, informal platform that makes uniform more accessible, reduces waste, and helps families save money throughout the school year. It’s also a great way to build connections within the school community and encourage a culture of sharing and sustainability.
Made to Last
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what a few of our happy customers had to say.
Woodthorpe Junior & Infant School
"We have bought our school uniform from Price & Buckland for several years now. It has always been of excellent quality and competitively priced. The staff are always very friendly and helpful, and have always gone out of their way to ensure we have everything we need."
Even Swindon Primary School
"As a continually growing school, we decided to make the move to online sales for our uniform. Price & Buckland were there to help every step of the way. The transition was very successful and our parents have all been happy with the new process and the ease of navigating the website."
Sana Sanhi - Glenbrook Primary School
"As a continually growing school, we decided to make the move to online sales for our uniform. Price & Buckland were there to help every step of the way. The transition was very successful and our parents have all been happy with the new process and the ease of navigating the website."