EY to P3: Too Much Stuff

This lesson is delivered by author Emily Gravett, featuring her book ‘Too Much Stuff’. Although the book doesn't focus on clothing and fashion, it is a great lesson towards the overall aim of changing our relationship with things, clothing included, and the impact that our love for stuff can have on the planet. 

P4 to S2

A series of interactive lessons, inspiring stories and activities focused on the circular economy, the impacts of fast fashion and how we can turn the tide towards a more sustainable relationship with our clothing.

Lesson 1: The Circular Economy

Circular Economy lesson with Zero Waste Scotland. This lesson covers linear economy (the way in which we have historically functioned so far, and the problems that this has), circular economy (where we should be moving towards), and how circular economy could look in the world of fashion and the exciting opportunities of this.

Lesson 2: Fairtrade Fashion

We start this lesson on the topic of Fairtrade and fashion with Catherine Newman from the Scottish Fairtrade Forum.  This lesson covers how Fairtrade protects workers, and pushes the textile industry to be more sustainable, from seed cotton to the finished garments. Next, Andy from Koolskools shares their experience as an ethical, sustainable school uniform manufacturing business that works with Fairtrade certified cotton and recycled polyester.

Lesson 3: The Social Impact of Fashion

A lesson on the impacts of discarded and donated clothing, with The OR Foundation. This lesson is delivered from Ghana, the top importer of unwanted/second hand clothing in the world, and looks at the impact that our unused clothing is having on their people and environment. 

Lesson 4: What Sustainable Fashion Could Look Like

This lesson takes a look at moving towards a sustainable relationship with our clothing, with ACS Clothing Solutions. The lesson showcases ACS’s model of circular economy and sustainability, and focuses on ideas of actions that pupils and schools can do as a first step towards a more sustainable and caring future.

Assembly

An all ages assembly where we revisit everything we have learned during the lessons, play a quiz, answer questions sent throughout the week, and showcase work carried out by pupils.

Lesson partners

Fairtrade is a global movement for change with a strong and active presence in the UK, represented by the Fairtrade Foundation. The Fairtrade Foundation is a global organisation working with businesses, consumers and campaigners to secure a better deal for farmers and workers.  Find out more on their website.

The Or Foundation stands for choice. Choice is agency – agency to escape the predominant violent socio-economic system of corporate colonialism and to change it from within. The Or Foundation is a public charity in Ghana that has been operating since 2011.

Working at the intersection of environmental justice, education and fashion development, their mission is to identify and manifest alternatives to the dominant model of fashion to bring forth ecological prosperity, as opposed to destruction, and that inspire citizens to form a relationship with fashion that extends beyond their role as consumer.  Find out more about their work.

Zero Waste Scotland is a not-for-profit environmental organisation funded by the Scottish Government. ZWS exists to lead Scotland to use products and resources more responsibly, focusing on where they can have the greatest effect on reducing climate change together through responsible consumption, responsible production and maximising value through waste. 

Find out more about their work.