Fighting Throwaway Culture: Clothes Swap a Major Success

Reading School’s Winter Clothes Swap, organised by Abhiram and myself with the support of Dr. Young, has been a great success, raising the grand sum of £471.20. This was also a huge success in uniting students, staff and parents to consider switching to more sustainable practices.

After the Christmas break, students were encouraged to donate good-quality clothes they no longer wore. The response was extremely positive, with a wide range of items being donated to our cause and given the opportunity for a second life, challenging the “throwaway culture” in our community.

On the 4^th February, we held the clothes' sale in Big School during Junior and Senior Lunch, with a strong turnout of students looking to support the event while finding affordable pre-loved clothes. Parents were also invited after school, extending the reach of the initiative beyond the student body.

The funds raised will be directed towards a range of carefully chosen causes:

Contributions will be made to Resettlement, a Reading-based company which supports those in our local community who are displaced. This addresses the Global Sustainability Goals right here on our doorstep.  

Part of the money raised will also go back into sustainability projects at Reading School, allowing students to continue leading initiatives that encourage environmentally-responsible habits.

Unsold clothing has been donated to Bag2School, which sends all clothes to be sorted and supplies second-hand clothing shops and unused clothing is recycled and put back into the textile industry. This approach reinforces a circular economy of textiles, broadening the impact of Reading School’s sustainability programme.

A big thank you to everyone who turned out to support us and thank you to the RSPA, especially Mrs Kirby, for your support during the sale and organising the Bag2School collection.

Written by Maulik, Year 11