Primary school goes green with uniform shop to reduce waste

Monday, 30 May 2022 18:26

By Aaron Benzoe

Greenmount Primary School has installed an onsite uniform shop enabling parents to buy second-hand clothing at bargain prices.

It comes after they won a £100,000 grant from Bury Council called Let’s Do It! Community Climate Action Fund.

Greenmount was one of 12 groups across the borough to receive a grant from the council. They used the funds to transform one of their dilapidated storerooms into a modern shop, which is staffed by volunteers from the school’s PTA.

Headteacher David Griffith said: “With the soaring cost of living, the price of school uniforms has become prohibitive for many parents. Our new shop gives them the chance to buy high-quality items for only a couple of pounds.

“Parents have donated clothing and their time and skills to construct the shop. We are keen to expand this initiative and would encourage other schools to get onboard and do similar projects.”

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, said: “It’s incredible to think that £140 million worth of clothing is sent to landfill each year, and shops like this are a great way to reduce textile waste, especially given how quickly children grow!

“As well as reducing waste, this project also helps parents with the cost of living – and it complements the council’s plans to provide school uniform grants to around 6,000 parents whose children receive free school meals.”

Similar grants are still available through Recycle 4 Greater Manchester’s Community Fund – for details, see https://recycleforgreatermanchester.com/community-fund/