Torfaen schools challenged to save 7 million litres of water through clothing reuse

Schools across Torfaen are being encouraged to take part in an exciting new challenge to save 7 million litres of water by giving clothes a second life.

The Torfaen Water Saving Challenge aims to raise awareness of the environmental impact of clothing production while encouraging pupils, staff and families to embrace the benefits of reusing and swapping clothes.

The hidden water cost of our clothes

Many of us don’t realise just how much water goes into making the clothes we wear every day.

Producing a single cotton T-shirt can require around 2,700 litres of water, enough drinking water to sustain one person for almost three years.

From growing cotton to dyeing fabrics, clothing production places enormous pressure on the world’s water resources. Globally, the fashion industry uses enough water each year to fill approximately 37 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Despite the resources needed to produce clothing, millions of tonnes of textiles are thrown away every year.

The Torfaen Water Saving Challenge aims to show how small changes, such as choosing second-hand clothing or passing on outgrown school uniforms, can help reduce waste and conserve precious resources.

Small swaps, big savings

Schools are already doing fantastic work to encourage clothing reuse through uniform exchanges, Christmas jumper swaps, costume exchanges and other initiatives.

The challenge builds on these activities, encouraging schools to involve their Eco Committees, pupils, staff and families in making clothing reuse a positive, everyday choice.

Participating schools will record the number of clothing items reused or swapped throughout the challenge. To make tracking simple, each item can be counted as an estimated 2,000 litres of water saved.

Schools will submit their monthly totals, allowing everyone to see how their efforts contribute towards the county-wide target.

We want children and young people to understand that the choices we make about our clothes can have a real impact on the environment. Something as simple as passing on a school jumper that's been outgrown or swapping a costume instead of buying a new one can help save thousands of litres of water. Many schools are already doing brilliant things to encourage reuse, and this challenge is about celebrating those efforts and inspiring even more people to get involved. By working together, schools across Torfaen have the opportunity to save an incredible 7 million litres of water. We're really looking forward to seeing what pupils come up with and watching those savings grow throughout the year!
Jo Walters Keep Wales Tidy Education Officer

Funded by Welsh Government, the challenge is being delivered by Keep Wales Tidy through its Eco-Schools Wales programme, in partnership with Torfaen County Borough Council. Schools across the county are being invited to work together towards an ambitious target of saving 7 million litres of water by May 2027.

This challenge is a fantastic way to help young people understand the impact our everyday choices can have on the environment. Something as simple as reusing a school uniform, swapping a fancy-dress costume or passing on clothes that are no longer needed can make a real difference. Every time we choose to reuse an item instead of buying new, we're helping to conserve the water that would otherwise be needed to grow, manufacture and transport replacement products. By working together, pupils, staff and families can help save millions of litres of water while showing that reusing items is not only good for the planet, but can also save money. I would encourage all schools to get involved and help us reach our ambitious target of saving 7 million litres of water. Every item reused brings us one step closer.
Councillor Sue Morgan Executive Member for Sustainability and Waste, Torfaen County Borough Council

Get your school involved!

The challenge runs from 21 October 2026 to 28 May 2027, with an online launch workshop for pupils taking place on 12 November.

The workshop will introduce pupils to the challenge, explore the hidden water footprint of clothing and provide fun activities to help schools get started.

Whether your school already runs a successful uniform exchange or is looking to introduce clothing swaps for the first time, everyone is welcome to take part.

Want your school to get involved in the Torfaen Water Saving Challenge?

Email Jo Walters, Keep Wales Tidy Education Officer, at Jo.Walters@keepwalestidy.cymru to find out more and register your school’s interest.

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