Petal: Procurement and Waste
Specialist: Rita Godfrey
Type of school: Secondary
Size of school: 1500 children
Brief description of the project
The uniform worn by the children of any school, reflects the values of the school and the children’s pride in their school. But what if those uniforms are produced at more than the asking price? This case study focussed on the investigation of the Working Conditions and Environmental Impact of School Uniforms sold in the School.
- Context: The pilot school is a large secondary school serving a rural area, with children coming from a large catchment area. The school has a good reputation for the values they hold and the projects carried out both on environmental issues and global citizenship. The school shop wanted the shop to reflect this and be part of supporting the school’s sustainability agenda.
- Background/starting point: During a visit to the school, our Sustainable Purchasing Specialist was asked to help them support the Sustainability aims of the school by looking into the working conditions in the factories making their school uniforms.
- Goals and objectives: The aims were to identify products in the shop that could be sourced more sustainably, but to ensure that this didn’t have a huge impact on the costs as the shop are aware that parents have a lot of demands on their purses.
- What did they do?: We identified the uniforms as having a real impact both because they represent the school and because there are real issues of poor working conditions in the garment trade. Our specialist drew up a letter that could be sent to the uniform and sportswear suppliers and also helped with extra research. Replies (after a bit of chasing) from two of the main supplies revealed that they both had programmes in place to audit the first tier of their suppliers. We also looked at some other ideas for products that the shop can sell which reflect the Sustainability message.
- Curriculum areas: At this stage the project hasn’t yet involved the pupils but they do intend to include the Student Council.
- Outcomes and achievements: A big plus mark for the school who can now be proud to wear their uniforms in the knowledge that those workers in other countries haven’t been exploited in order that the pupils look good.... and there is no additional cost!
- Lessons learnt: It is always worthwhile to ask questions about the background and production of the things you buy. A good environmental and social background doesn’t necessarily mean you pay more.
- Key points of transferability: The example can be used by all schools and can be introduced into the curriculum to demonstrate Sustainability and Global citzenship. Also back to the school and the opportunity to look at what they buy!
- Resources used: An Engauge specialist to help with research and advise on how to approach suppliers.