Why we do it

The aims mentioned on our homepage are our motivation for operating as a Foundation. We want to take advantage of the huge market in independent schools across the UK to make a difference to both the environment and local communities, through the second-chance school uniform market. By being a part of The Eco Wear Foundation, schools are helping to create a greener future for their students, and helping to develop & support the communities around them at the same time.

We also believe that we should use the Foundation as a way of giving opportunities to school pupils, by making branches student-run. Through them, pupils can learn organisational skills & the jobs involved in running a business, which will prove invaluable for their futures. It is also an incredibly rewarding role, and pupils can know that they are working hard to create a greener future for themselves & reducing the environmental footprint of their school.

Aside from the external benefits of being a branch of Eco Wear, there are several ways in which running branches can benefit schools themselves.

1: Reduces the environmental footprint of a school

Running a branch of Eco Wear significantly reduces the environmental footprint of a school, by dramatically reducing the amount of uniform going to waste after one term of use. Maintaining the uniform within the school & repurposing it for other families helps to keep a small network of uniform which can be quality checked & up-to-standard, which is especially important in schools with lots of branded uniform items. It also helps to remove the stigma attached to 'second hand uniform', as the items are often indistinguishable from those that are new.

2: Gives parents confidence

If parents see the Eco Wear Foundation logo on a school, they can have confidence that the school has a robust & effective uniform recycling scheme, which supports them and local charities. Schools receiving Eco Wear certification have met several standards, so all Eco Wear branches are consistent in their offering.

3: Builds relationships with the local community

Schools are often isolated from community activities due to their nature, so it is important that strong relationships are maintained between the school & local organisations. Being a branch of Eco Wear means supporting local charities & organisations by raising funds through the school, which helps to build & maintain these relationships, and helps the school integrate into the local community.

4: Part of a larger nationwide impact

With Eco Wear branches in multiple school across the UK and a strong community built as a part of them, the impact of one school's branch is part of a much bigger impact, which schools can celebrate together as an achievement. The evidence of 'strength in numbers' could not be more prominent in the Eco Wear Foundation, as all branches are connected & support each other.

5: Good opportunity for students

The students involved in organising a branch of Eco Wear will learn skills in organisation, business management & customer service, which will prove invaluable later in life, whichever career path they choose. In addition to these skills, they will gain experience in all of these fields, and be helping towards a more sustainable future for everyone. Ambassadors will also join a Foundation-wide support network, where they can build connections with other branch Ambassadors across the country.

6: Supports parents

With lower uniform costs than when bought new, Eco Wear branches reduce the financial burden of buying school uniform, which can be significant where there are lots of branded items needed. Those sold by Eco Wear will be of incredibly high standard, meaning items are mostly indistinguishable from those bought new, making them a very real option for all families.