As the summer holidays come to an end, many families will be busy preparing for the new school year. It’s a time for buying school uniforms, replacing stationery and getting everything ready for the months ahead. But it’s also the perfect opportunity to think about how we can make more sustainable choices and embrace the circular economy.
One of my favourite parts of being an Environmental Education Officer is seeing the creativity of schools across Northern Ireland and the many different ways they bring sustainability to life. Over the past year, I’ve seen schools turn canteen food scraps into compost, grow their own fruit and vegetables in polytunnels, encourage pupils to use reusable water bottles and transform unwanted materials into creative new projects. No two schools are the same, yet each one has found its own way to inspire pupils to think differently about the resources they use every day.
I’ve also been struck by the strong connections many schools have with their local communities and businesses. Time and time again, I’ve seen schools put calls out on social media for materials and supplies, whether that’s compost, decorative stones, concrete slabs, polytunnels or even old conveyor belts. The response from local businesses and community members is often incredible and shows what can be achieved when people come together with a shared goal. It’s a brilliant example of the circular economy in action; finding value in items that might otherwise go to waste and giving them a new purpose.
These experiences have reminded me that creating a more sustainable future doesn’t always require big budgets or complicated solutions. Some of the most impactful projects I’ve seen have started with a simple idea, a willingness to try something new and the support of the wider community.
As the new school year begins, St. Colm’s High School continues to demonstrate how sustainability can be embedded across school life through a range of inspiring reuse initiatives.
One of the school’s standout projects was its **Preloved School Uniform Event**, which provided more than 50 local pupils with quality second-hand school uniforms. Due to its success and high demand, the event was extended to run for three weeks in June, helping families save money while reducing textile waste. The initiative highlighted how something as simple as passing on unwanted uniforms can have a positive impact on both the environment and the local community.
The school has also begun creating a sensory garden using reclaimed and donated materials from local businesses, the local recycling centre and members of the community. Paint and planters were sourced from Magherafelt Recycling Centre, tyres were donated by a local tyre company, concrete slabs came from a local household, compost was supplied by Mid Ulster District Council, and plants were donated by local gardeners. By giving these materials a new purpose, the school is creating an engaging outdoor learning space while demonstrating the value of reuse and community collaboration.
Creativity has also played a key role in the school’s sustainability journey. Students showcased **Junk Kouture** designs made entirely from reused materials, demonstrating how items that might otherwise be discarded can be transformed into something unique and valuable. Building on this success, the school is now reusing costumes for its upcoming school musical, giving existing materials a second life instead of purchasing new costumes for a cast of more than 90 pupils.
These initiatives have not only reduced waste but have also provided valuable learning opportunities. Throughout the projects, pupils developed teamwork, communication, organisation and creative problem-solving skills while seeing first-hand how circular economy principles can be applied in everyday school life.
A 2021 report by Parentkind found that more than 90% of families in Northern Ireland buy at least part of their school uniform from school-approved suppliers. However, around one in three parents also make use of second-hand uniforms, either through family and friends or school-run uniform schemes.
The report also found that, on average, parents spend £173 per primary school child and £378 per post-primary school child on school uniform and PE kit. Initiatives such as preloved uniform events can help reduce these costs for families while extending the life of clothing and reducing textile waste.
Many councils across Northern Ireland are supporting school uniform reuse through a range of initiatives, including clothing banks at household recycling centres, preloved uniform events and partnerships with local charities, schools and community organisations. These schemes help keep good-quality uniforms in use for longer, reduce textile waste and make the back-to-school period more affordable for families.
For example, Mid Ulster District Council operates school uniform reuse banks at its household recycling centres, while a number of other councils have supported uniform collection and redistribution schemes in partnership with local organisations.
If you’re planning your back-to-school shopping, it’s worth checking your local council’s website or contacting your child’s school to find out what school uniform reuse schemes, clothing banks or preloved uniform events are available in your area.
