Running a clothing drive is a fantastic way to support school fundraising while promoting sustainability—but how can you make sure your collection is a success? Whether it’s your first time or you’re looking to boost results, these 7 tips will help you collect more clothes, increase engagement, and raise more funds for your school or nursery.
1. Start Promoting Early
Give your school community plenty of notice. Begin promoting your clothing drive at least 2–3 weeks in advance.
Use posters, newsletters, school apps, social media, and emails to spread the word
Announce it during assemblies or at parent events
Bonus Tip: Share a countdown to build momentum
2. Set a Goal and Share It
People are more likely to contribute if they understand the purpose. Set a collection target or fundraising goal and explain how the funds will be used.
Example: “Help us collect 500 kg to fund new playground equipment!”
Update everyone as you get closer to your goal to keep energy high
3. Offer Convenient Drop-Off Options
Make it as easy as possible for families to donate.
Set up a visible, well-labeled drop-off point near the school entrance
Offer collection times before and after school for busy parents
If possible, allow donations over multiple days
4. Engage Students and Staff
The more involved your school is, the more successful the drive will be.
Appoint “Recycling Champions” in each class
Run a class competition—reward the class that brings in the most bags
Encourage teachers to tie the drive into lessons on sustainability
5. Remind, Remind, Remind
People often forget even with good intentions.
Send friendly reminders a few days before and on the day of the drive
Use eye-catching visuals and clear calls to action like “Bring your bag tomorrow!”
6. Use Visual Progress Trackers
Display a progress chart in a central area of the school to show how many bags or kilograms have been collected so far.
This encourages friendly competition and keeps the momentum going
You can even post updates on social media or in your school newsletter
7. Say Thank You and Celebrate
After the drive, don’t forget to thank everyone who participated.
Share how much was collected and how much money was raised
Celebrate success in an assembly, school post, or certificate for participating classes
This recognition builds excitement and sets the stage for an even better drive next time
Make Every Bag Count
With a little preparation and creative thinking, your school fundraising clothing drive can bring in more donations, raise more funds, and inspire your school community to make a difference.
Ready to plan your next clothing drive? Book your collection with The Little Recyclers today—and make your fundraising efforts go further than ever.
For more ideas on getting families involved, visit Parentkind, a UK charity supporting parent engagement in schools.
