At Smarter Uniforms, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Since 2017, we’ve been on a mission to keep school uniforms in circulation, save families money, and protect the planet—one school jumper at a time. We are a community-powered initiative that champions second-hand school uniforms, reduces waste, and makes a real difference to the lives of our local families.
What We’ve Achieved So Far
- Rehomed over 15,000 second-hand uniform items
- Saved parents more than £140,000 on uniform costs
- Prevented 3 tonnes of textile waste from going to landfill
- Raised over £5,500 for local schools through uniform sales and donations
Our Eco-Friendly Practices
We’re proud to run a truly sustainable operation. Here’s how we keep our impact light—and our values strong:
- ✅ Plastic-free packaging – All of our parcels use recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials. No single-use plastic here!
- ✅ Paperless & low-waste – We avoid printing wherever possible, operating digitally to reduce environmental impact.
- ✅ Carbon-free delivery – All our orders are delivered via cargo bike—a clean, green option perfect for Brighton & Hove!
- ✅ Eco-conscious suppliers – We use services and subscriptions from green, ethical companies whenever we can.
- ✅ Repurpose, reuse, recycle – Uniforms that have reached the end of their lives are either creatively repurposed or properly recycled—never binned.
Powered by People, Rooted in Community
We work hand-in-hand with local community groups and schools to support families across the city. Our free school uniforms in Brighton are made available through 10 community-hosted uniform rails, where anyone can take what they need at no cost.
We also partner with the University of Sussex and other local organisations to offer internships and volunteering opportunities—bringing skills, support, and local knowledge into everything we do.
A Circular Economy in Action
At Smarter Uniforms, we operate fully within the circular economy—keeping school-wear in use for as long as possible, reducing demand for new production, and cutting textile waste. Whether you're donating, swapping, or selling, you’re helping to build a more sustainable future for everyone.
Sell School Uniforms Online
Our Smarter Uniforms Marketplace makes it simple for families to sell school uniforms online, buy affordable second-hand items, and keep quality sustainable school uniforms in circulation. This peer-to-peer model helps families save money, reduces the pressure of back to school shopping, and promotes a more conscious, circular approach to clothing.
What’s Next?
We’re always working to grow, improve, and do more:
- Expand our free uniform rails across Brighton & Hove
- Make it easier for families to buy and sell school uniforms online
- Raise more funds for local schools and community partners
- Promote eco-education around second-hand uniforms in Brighton
- Launch workshops to repair, repurpose, and creatively reuse uniforms
Smarter Uniforms proves that small, everyday choices can have a big impact. Together, we’re making school uniforms more affordable, more accessible, and more sustainable for everyone.