re3 Partnership collaborates with First Days Children's Charity to support families through re3Wear, a new School Uniform Reuse scheme

The re3 Partnership is proud to announce re3Wear – School Uniform Reuse Scheme, a new collaboration with First Days Children’s Charity, an organisation dedicated to supporting families experiencing financial hardship. This initiative will provide convenient drop-off locations for school uniform donations at re3 Recycling Centres in Bracknell (Longshot Lane) and Reading (Island Road). The scheme aims to support families in need by encouraging the reuse, donation and access to affordable school uniforms.

As part of the collaboration, re3 Recycling Centres will now accept all types of primary and secondary school uniforms from any school located within Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Boroughs, including those with school logos and labels. Donated uniforms should be in good condition and free from stains to ensure they can be used by the families who need them most. Residents are asked to deposit uniforms at both sites all year round in the designated, clearly labelled containers.

Once collected, First Days will carry out a quality check on all items. Uniforms deemed suitable will be distributed directly to families in need or sold at low cost through their School Days Uniform Shop.

Speaking about the new collaboration, Cllr Karen Rowland, Chair of the Joint Waste Disposal Board and Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety; Cllr Helen Purnell, Vice-Chair of the Joint Waste Disposal Board and Bracknell Forest Council’s Executive Member for the Environment and Community Cohesion and Cllr Katrin Harding, Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency commented: 

“The partnership with First Days is a great example of how our recycling centres help achieve both environmental and social benefits. Donating a school uniform might seem like a small gesture, but it can have a significant impact on a child’s confidence and a family’s well-being. By offering convenient drop-off points at our recycling centres, we make it easier for residents to donate uniforms, ensuring they are reused and made available at low cost to families in need. This initiative joins our book reuse, paint reuse, and compost donation schemes in supporting a local circular economy by keeping resources in use, reducing waste, and strengthening our communities."

Scott Adams, re3 General Manager, FCC Environment added:

“We’re proud to facilitate this effort and encourage residents to get involved by donating clean, good-quality uniforms at our sites. This new initiative complements other successful projects like re3read, our re3paint and the re3grow community composting scheme, showing our commitment to creating a circular economy and community support.”

Spokesperson at First Days Children's Charity added:

“Your uniform donations matter! Many local families struggle to afford essential school wear. Your donations are vital, enabling us to provide free uniform to families in crisis and offer affordable options for everyone in our community. Thank you for making a difference!”