Study on School Uniforms and Sustainable Consumption: Insights from Parents and Students
Type:
Dates:
01 Aug 2023 - 30 Jun 2024
Partners:
Singapore Management University (SMU)
School uniforms are an essential part of student life, yet thousands of uniforms are discarded each year when students outgrow them or graduate. To better understand attitudes towards school uniform reuse and broader sustainable consumption practices, The Circular Classroom partnered with students from Singapore Management University (SMU) on a study involving parents and students across Singapore. The survey, conducted over two semesters from August 2023 to June 2024, explored purchasing habits, uniform ownership, disposal practices, awareness of sustainability issues, and willingness to participate in circular initiatives such as donating, reusing and repurposing pre-loved uniforms. It also examined how school communities perceive responsible consumption and their role in reducing waste. The findings provided valuable insights into current behaviours and identify opportunities to strengthen uniform reuse programmes, sustainability education and community engagement. By providing a better understanding of how families manage school uniforms and other everyday consumption decisions, the study also contributed to efforts to reduce textile waste, advance circularity in education and support the goals of the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Read the full report here and explore the key findings below. Schools that joined the study: - Anderson Serangoon Junior College - Canberra Primary School - Cedar Girls Secondary School - Changkat Primary School - East Spring Primary School - Gan Eng Seng Primary School - Hua Yi Secondary School - Naval Base Primary School - Princess Elizabeth Primary School - Rosyth School - Sembawang Primary School - St Andrew's School (Junior) - Tampines Meridian Junior College - Tao Nan School - Victoria Junior College - Xingnan Primary School - Yishun Secondary School
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