Crossgar-Based ‘Ethical Schoolwear’ Plants 1,601 Trees as Local Schools Recognise The Value Of Ethically Made School Uniforms
Ethical Schoolwear, the affordable and ethical online school uniform retailer, continues to thrive in its mission to make a difference – one uniform and one tree at a time.
Since its launch in January 2023, the business has now planted over 1,600 trees, thanks to its loyal customers who are helping sow the seeds of a more sustainable future.
Founded by Crossgar man Liam Charlton-Killen, Ethical Schoolwear was created to address urgent challenges he saw as a parent: the rising cost of school uniform and the toll fast fashion has on both workers and the environment.
In just over two years, the brand has become a trusted name among parents across the UK, looking for schoolwear that’s good for people and planet.
“At Ethical Schoolwear, we believe that ethics and affordability should go hand in hand,” said Charlton-Killen. “Parents shouldn’t have to choose between doing the right thing and saving money.
“Our aim is to offer school uniforms that families can feel good about — both in terms of cost and conscience.”
Offering school uniforms from manufacturers that are independently assessed for their ethical credentials, Ethical Schoolwear only offers products that are kind to workers, comfortable for kids, and affordable for parents. But Ethical Schoolwear’s impact goes beyond the wardrobe.
For every order placed, a tree is planted on Liam’s own smallholding — a deeply personal commitment to rewilding and climate responsibility.
To date, 1,601 trees have been planted, and customers are even invited to name their tree, creating unique family moments which spark conversations about nature and responsibility.
The business continues to grow across the UK, but its roots remain firmly planted in the local community.
Find out more about how local families and schools are helping grow something special at: www.ethicalschoolwear.co.uk
About Ethical Schoolwear
Ethical Schoolwear promises only to sell school uniform from manufacturers that:
- Are Ethical Trading Initiative members
- Are B Corp certified
- Are Planet Mark certified
- Use as much recycled fabric as possible
- Are certified CarbonNeutral
- Are signed up to the Better Cotton Initiative
- Pay the living wages for the countries in which they operate
- Align their values with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
- Open up their factories to third-party independent inspection to ensure healthy and safe working practices, zero child labour and zero modern day slavery
- Take action to eradicate period poverty within their workforce
About Liam and the smallholding
In 2020 he and his other half and two children moved from Manchester to rural County Down – where Liam grew up.
Since Liam became a parent, when they adopted their children, he realised that he asks a lot of questions. What’s that? Where’s it from? Who made it? What’s it made from? How much? Sorry, I think I misheard you… how much?!
Many of these questions have been about school uniform. He found that getting answers, and on occasion getting any response at all, has been difficult. So he decided to set up a shop himself.
Ethical Schoolwear is for people who are trying to do their bit. They’re trying to do the right thing for the planet, the workers, their kids, all while managing ever increasing costs.
Their smallholding, just outside the village of Crossgar, has a few small fields which the previous owner had nurtured into a haven for wildlife, which includes a pond and woodland.
In 1999 it was certified by the Ulster Wildlife Trust as part of their Wildlife Areas Scheme.
Customers who sign up to receive email updates from Ethical Schoolwear will receive an email asking them to name their sapling.
The existing woodland has an abundance of mature trees. Those trees produce copious amounts of seeds each year. They will be the parents of the new woodland.
About B Corp
A certified B Corp is a for-profit enterprise that meets “the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.”
This definition is published by B Lab, a non-profit organisation in the US that measures other companies’ social and environmental impact against a set of sustainability and transparency standards, and certifies companies with B Corp status accordingly.
Companies certifying as B Corps should do no harm, and their products, services, and business practices should benefit all stakeholders. B Lab defines stakeholders as workers, community, customers, and the environment.
