Q & A

2009.10.21

Questions

1. What is Bag2School?
2. Why should we give each pupil a bag rather than one per family?
3. What is the difference between Reuse, Recycle and Reduce?
4. Where do the clothes go?
5. When do we get paid?
6. Which areas do you cover?
7. How much does it cost to set up a collection?
8. There is no storage at school, so how will it work for us?
9. What if it rains?
10. How much do you pay us?
11. How often may we organise a collection with Bag2School?
12. As we are a very small school in the country, how do we go about setting up a collection?

Answers

1. What is Bag2School?

Bag2School is not a charity organisation. It is a business, which specialises in collecting and buying quality second-hand clothes in their original condition, which are then sold to wholesalers in emerging nations.

2. Why should we give each pupil a bag rather than one per family?

The success of the collection depends on how motivated the pupils turn out to be. Therefore each child is given the responsibility by Bag2School to fill up their own bag and take it back to school.

3. What is the difference between Reuse, Recycle and Reduce?

Bag2School's clothing is for reuse, i.e. someone will buy the clothing to wear. Recycle is where clothing will be shredded into raw material, that will then be used to make new products, like mattress fillings. Reduce is applicable when less material and energy is used to make the product.

4. Where do the clothes go? 

Mostly they are shipped to Eastern Europe where a wholesaler then sorts them and sells them to market traders and boutiques at affordable prices.

5. When do we get paid?

Due to the great success of B2S we now post all cheques 4-6 weeks after the collection date together with certificate of achievement. During the school holiday periods the cheques are retained until you return to school.

6. Which areas do you cover?

Should you have any further queries, please contact one of our Bag2School co-ordinators on 01609 780 222.

7. How much does it cost to set up a collection? 

All collections and associated administration is FREE. Bag2School will provide you with your personalised leaflets and blue bags.

8. There is no storage at school, so how will it work for us?

When you book a collection you will be offered a time, usually either half an hour before school starts or right after school ends. A Bag2School driver will be waiting at the designated spot so that then the bags can be loaded directly into the van, circumventing any storage problems.

9. What if it rains?

In the event of inclement weather please protect your B2S investment by covering with a plastic sheet or storing the bags undercover. Remember wet clothes cannot be re-used.

10. How much do you pay us?

We pay the best market price possible, and adjust this each term. We have been paying £200 per tonne. However, Bag2School now offers a 100% bonus, if you make two bookings during the same call and obviously realise them. This means an extra £200 per tonne.

11. How often may we organise a collection with Bag2School?

As far as Bag2School is concerned, as many times as this is opportune and feasible. Most schools benefit from a summer and winter collection. However, in larger schools we find once a term produces the best results. We find that the pupils and their parents anticipate by saving up for the following collections.

12. As we are a very small school in the country, how do we go about setting up a collection?

Smaller schools usually involve the village and generate excellent collections as the whole community gets involved. This scheme works for all bona fide organisations. So far, Bag2School has collected from a dance school, a scout group, a junior rugby club and this way have helped raise funds for a local village skate park.