Transforming School Uniforms Through Circular Innovation

Rockford Trading Company Limited sought to revolutionise the school uniform industry by introducing circular practices. With rising concern over textile waste and sustainability, the company aimed to create a fully circular uniform model, educate students on responsible consumption, and influence upcoming legislation on school uniforms.

The company faced several challenges: collecting and responsibly managing unwanted uniforms, integrating circularity into uniform design, and establishing educational outreach to inspire sustainable behaviour among students.

Project Objectives

Funded by Innovate UK Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT), this project aimed to:

• Introduce a circular model for school uniforms, including collection, sorting, and recycling.
• Deliver workshops to secondary school children and university students, raising awareness of sustainability in the uniform industry.
• Design a fully sustainable uniform in line with new government guidance reducing branded items.
• Engage policymakers to ensure circular practices are considered in upcoming legislation.

The project sought to demonstrate that circularity is achievable in the school uniform industry while enhancing the company’s competitive advantage and sustainability credentials.

Project Overview

A multi-stakeholder approach was adopted to deliver these objectives. Local schools participated in a uniform take-back scheme, and the project partnered with Matoha, using a handheld fabric identifier to sort materials. Uniforms made of 100% polyester or cotton were recycled into new products, while mixed fibres were repurposed for other uses such as insulation.

Educational workshops demonstrated the fabric identifier to secondary school pupils, engaging them in discussions on sustainability. Students contributed insights into desirable uniform features, which informed a briefing for fashion students across 20 degree programmes, guiding the design of fully circular uniforms.

Material & Design Innovation

• Over one tonne of unwanted uniforms collected and responsibly processed.
• Four workshops delivered to secondary school children.
• A circular uniform competition run with students from 20 fashion programmes.
• Winning designs being developed into prototypes for schools to trial, aligned with upcoming uniform legislation.

Educational & Cultural Impact

• Raised awareness among students, parents, and staff about textile waste and sustainable consumption.
• Workshops inspired students to explore textile technology and circular business models.
• The student-led Pillow Talk event extended the project’s educational reach, upcycling collected uniforms into pillows.

Policy & Industry Influence

• Evidence submitted to the Parliamentary Education Committee for the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
• Engaged five MPs, policymakers, campaigners, and charities to advocate for sustainable school uniform practices.

Operational Impact

• The fabric identification device is now fully integrated into Uniform Direct’s warehouse, improving sorting, recycling, and future product design.
• Online seminars planned for school leaders and procurement officers to support adoption of circular uniform practices.

The AKT project has positioned Rockford Trading Company Limited as a pioneer in circular school uniforms. By embedding knowledge from the University of Lincoln, the company has enhanced its operational capability, influenced policy, and set a benchmark for sustainability in the sector. The project has created long-lasting impact through educational outreach, innovation in design, and practical solutions for reducing textile waste.