As the global climate change crisis continues, we are all challenged with looking for ways in which we can recycle, reuse or stop using materials and processes that are damaging our planet.
In 2018, the children at Brabyns Preparatory School in Marple returned to school in brand new blazers – made from recycled plastic bottles.
The school is an ‘eco-school’, meaning it is committed to actively addressing environmental issues, from litter and waste recycling to healthy living and biodiversity.
The award-winning Eco-Uniform range by schoolwear manufacturer David Luke uses a unique process which turns plastic bottles into eco-friendly school uniforms. The Brabyns Eco-Blazer will prevent approximately 2,250 bottles going to landfill.
Lee Sanders, headteacher at Brabyns Preparatory School, said: “We are delighted with the new uniform and excited about the new look this gives to Brabyns. The quality is excellent – you would never guess that the material is made from recycled plastic. The added bonus is that it is more hard-wearing and colour-fast than ordinary material, so it also offers added durability and value for money.”
He added: “The school has always tried to promote looking after the environment so being the first school in Marple to have an eco-uniform fits well with our ethos.”
Why use eco-friendly school uniforms?
We are under a global environmental crisis concerning the high use of single-use plastics and need our government to commit to a significant reduction and eventual end to them.
In the meantime, the production of recyclable plastic is set to rise, and is not being recycled fast enough. Globally, plastic production is increasing. Since the 90s plastic production has tripled and in 2018 alone, 359 million tonnes of plastic were introduced to the market. This had risen by 3.2% since 2017. This means that all of us are under threat and need to find ways to re-use this plastic waste be it for eco-friendly clothing or other avenues.
By 2050 the weight of plastics in the ocean is likely to exceed that of fish, making the demand for eco-friendly school uniforms only increase at speed since it is a garment every child needs.
How eco-friendly school uniforms are made
Most eco-friendly school uniforms are made from a mix of non-biodegradable plastic drinking bottle polyester.
These plastic bottles would otherwise end up in a landfill with no way of breaking them down, and with the production of plastic forecast to increase, we must all look for ways to help reduce our carbon footprint.
Watch the video below from David Luke on their eco-uniform story:
Plastic bottles per item of eco-friendly school uniform
Every garment worn by a child that is dressed in eco-friendly school uniforms from the David Luke range uses approximately:
Eco-blazers and jackets
Uses an average of 18 plastic bottles per child
Boys eco-trousers and shorts
Uses an average of 4 plastic bottles per child
Girls eco-trousers and skirts
Uses an average of 5 plastic bottles per child
Eco-polo shirts
Uses an average of 2 plastic bottles per child
Eco-sweatshirts
Uses an average of 3 plastic bottles per child
How a school uniform is eco-friendly
Instead of using crude oil in the production of polyester, which is used to make clothing, plastic bottles are used. Not only does this use less energy and reduce carbon footprint and CO2 emissions, it also means a reduction in landfill for plastic and lower production costs.
From a customer perspective, the pricing is equivalent to school uniforms that are not eco-friendly.
