Developing a rental model for short-life campaign and work wear clothing

The National Union of Students is partnering with the University of Bradford to tackle the problem of uniforms and promotional clothing being used for only short periods before being thrown away. Very often campaigns t-shirts, bar staff clothing and uniforms are used for less than an academic year before being disposed of. Working with NUS’ clothing company, Epona, the partnership intends to explore the feasibility of a rental model for providing clothing to students’ unions, universities and colleges. Clothing would be rented and then returned, before being remanufactured and reprinted ready for the next rent. The public sector in the UK procures £900m clothing per year, £410m of this is work wear.