Argyll and Bute Council is working with its schools and third sector partners to roll out a new, innovative scheme that will see school uniforms that children have outgrown, either reused or recycled - saving peoples’ purse and the planet.
The scheme will enable every child and young person to access a uniform, while contributing to the council’s vision of becoming a net zero carbon emissions organisation by 2045. Many items of school clothing are made from polyester, which is a petroleum-based material. Manufacturing this clothing in industrial units sends fumes into the atmosphere that damages our climate. By reusing uniforms that children have outgrown, it reduces this toxic process and helps to save our planet.
We have been working in partnership with schools, parent councils, community groups and volunteers across Argyll and Bute to establish the scheme. It is currently in operation in South Kintyre, Helensburgh and Lomond, Bute and Cowal, and Oban and Lorn. Work has started with schools in Mid Argyll and North Kintyre, and the islands of Islay, Mull and Tiree.
Our partners include Kintyre Recycling Limited, Oban Baptist Church, Helensburgh Parish Church, and Dunoon Community Hub.
Schools currently participating in the scheme (Phase 1)
Please note: As the project roles out to more schools, we will update this list.
Where can I donate uniform?
We are taking donations of all school uniforms in phase 1 areas only just now (see list below), all of which are washed before being put into the following categories:
- Good condition outgrown uniform for reuse by another pupil.
- Reasonable condition outgrown uniform that can be stored and reused if required.
- Outgrown uniform that is unsuitable for reuse so will be recycled and turned into useful materials for items such as stuffing for soft furnishings and building materials.
Helensburgh and Lomond
The Helensburgh Uniform Bank (HUB) is an initiative of the Youth Strategy at Helensburgh Parish Church. The service supports pupils of the following schools;
- Hermitage Academy
- Arrochar Primary
- Cardross Primary
- Colgrain Primary
- Garelochhead Primary
- Hermitage Primary
- John Logie Baird Primary
- Kilcreggan Primary
- Luss Primary
- Rosneath Primary
- St Josephs Primary
Donations : Pupils are encouraged to donate outgrown uniforms directly to their school, and at Helensburgh Parish Church, 25 Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh, G84 8UP
Ordering Preloved School Clothing in Helensburgh: You can contact the HUB on Facebook or on their website - Helensburgh Uniform Bank (the HUB) to request uniforms
Campbeltown / South Kintyre
- Campbeltown Nursery Centre
- Carradale Primary
- Castlehill Primary
- Dalintober Primary
- Dalintober Early Learning Centre
- Drumlemble Primary
- Glenbarr Primary
Donations: You can make donations at the following locations:
- At participating schools
- Kintyre Recycling Limited Hazelburn Business Park, Campbeltown
- Textile bank on Bengullion Road, Campbeltown
- Textile bank in Drumlemble Primary School
- Textile bank in Glenbarr
- Textile bank in Carradale
Ordering Preloved School Clothing in Campbeltown and South Kintyre: To place an order please fill in the online form below. Our partners at Kintyre Recycling Limited will be in touch with you to discuss your order and arrange for collection.
Pre-loved school uniform order form - South Kintyre
Oban and Lorn
- Oban High School
- St Columba's Primary School
- Park Primary
- Rockfield Primary and Primary Gaelic
- Dunbeg Primary
- Dalmally Primary
- Kilmore Primary
- Kilmelford Primary
- Luing Primary
- Taynuilt Primary
- Barcaldine Primary
- Lochnell Primary
- Strath of Appin Primary and Primary Gaelic
- Easdale Primary
- Lismore Primary
Donations: You can make donations at the following locations:
- At participating schools
- Oban Baptist Church, Albany Street, Oban PA34 4LG
Ordering Preloved School Clothing in Oban and Lorn: To place an order please fill in the online form below. Our partners at Oban Baptist Church will be in touch with you to discuss your order and arrange for collection.
Pre-loved school uniform order form - Oban and Lorn
Dunoon and Cowal
- Dunoon Grammar School
- Dunoon Primary
- Kirn Primary
- St Mun's Primary
- Innellan Primary
- Sandbank Primary and Primary Gaelic
- Toward Primary
- Strone Primary
- Strachur Primary
- Tighnabruaich Primary
- Kilmodan Primary
Donations: You can make donations at the following locations:
- At participating schools
- Dunoon Community Hub, Kirk Street, Dunoon, PA23 7DP
Ordering Preloved School Clothing in Dunoon and Cowal: To place an order please fill in the online form below. Our partners at Dunoon Community Hub will be in touch with you to discuss your order and arrange for collection.
Pre-loved school uniform order form - Dunoon and Cowal
Rothesay and Bute
- Rothesay Academy
- Rothesay Primary
- St Andrews Primary
- North Bute Primary
Donations: You can make donations at the following location:
- At participating schools
Ordering Preloved School Clothing in Rothesay and Bute: To place an order please fill in the online form below. Support workers at the school will be in touch with you to discuss your order and arrange for collection.
Pre-loved school uniform order form - Rothesay and Bute
When will my school join the scheme?
Phase 2 will be rolled out from July 2023 and will cover North Kintyre, Mid Argyll, Islay and Jura, and Mull and Tiree.
Many schools have local arrangements in place for donating and requesting school uniform items, so please contact your school to find out what is available in your area.
Phase 2 areas
- Lochgilphead Joint Campus: Information to come after the October mid-term break.
- Tarbert, Islay, Mull and Tiree: We are arranging to talk to schools and voluntary organisations in these areas so that a uniform recycling service is available to all schools in Argyll and Bute by August 2024. Again, we will update this page with progress.
