Please check our FAQ’s below for our most commonly asked questions relating to collections.
How much will we get?
All our clothes are sent to Ukraine to support them during this incredibly difficult time. With the situation changing daily, the market price for clothing fluctuates frequently. However, we are committed to always paying the best market price available.
To keep you informed, we will update the market price on our website weekly until the situation between Ukraine and Russia stabilises. This means that when you book a collection for a few months in advance, the price we pay will be the best market price of that week, not the price per kilo on the day you booked.
Please Note: We reserve the right to adjust the price we pay based on market fluctuations. Rest assured, we always offer the best market price, whether it rises or falls.
What is Rags 2 Riches 4 Schools?
Rags 2 Riches 4 Schools is not a charity organisation. It is a business, which specialises in collecting from educational sectors. We pay for quality second-hand clothes, which are then sold to other businesses and become affordable clothing to help developing nations.
When do we get paid?
We normally process payments within one week of your collection. During busy peak times, it may take a little longer, sometimes up to a few weeks.
Is there a limit to what funds my school can raise?
No, the more clothes you recycle the more you earn! All we ask you to do is look at our
What We Collect page to be clear about what items we accept.
How much does it cost?
Nothing at all, our collection service is completely FREE!
What happens on collection day?
We collect the clothes without a fuss. It is as simple as that!
Our school is a really small school, but can we still set up a collection?
Absolutely, your school is as important as all the larger ones and some small schools are doing much better than the larger schools!
If you’re looking to raise more money your community might help contribute towards your school collection.
We are more than happy to help you organise with the use of community posters & leaflets - get in touch.
What if our collection is less than 25 Bags full?
Remembering the whole idea is to be as environmentally friendly as possible while helping schools raise money!
The average collection size is 50-60 full bags, if you do not achieve this and you have significantly less (30 bags or fewer) please call us by 9:30am, we will most likely still collect if we are passing nearby but we might rearrange to another date when we are nearer to yourselves to give you a chance to remind parents for a last boost to the collection) – schools that advertise the collection well in advance and remind parents don’t have a problem collecting this average amount.
Can I donate any payment to charity?
Yes, this can also be arranged. Please call us for more details.
What if there are items in the collection that should not have been weighed at school?
The collection weight is not final until our warehouse has confirmed that the items collected match the reusable clothing we accept.
Sometimes schools include items in black bags or collect in ways that don’t follow the usual process. In these cases, we may need to review the collection and adjust the weight. This process can take a few days, so we reserve the right to update the collection weight for up to three days after the collection day.
Severe weather conditions: If we have a collection next week, what should we do?
Keep collecting! The collection date is set and will be going ahead as planned. If you think your school may be affected by the weather, please visit our website or contact us to check what arrangements we have made.
Severe weather conditions: What should we do if our school is closed?
If your school has to close, please let Rags2Riches4Schools know so we can re-arrange a collection date with you.
Some areas will not be affected so it is worth visiting our website or contacting us directly to check this.
I’m worried that I will be arriving late at my school. Does that mean I won’t be able to take part in the collection event?
There is some leeway when, if you are late, you may still be able to leave the collection bags for us to revisit. Contact your school to let them know if you think you might be late.
Is it better to use a large cardboard collection box?
We don’t recommend boxes as they tend to collect fewer clothes and need constant reminders for parents.
Organising a bag collection day in advance works far better, as you will no longer need any storage at the school and will result in larger volume of clothes therefore raising you more funds.
Collection days can achieve over 1500kg giving you £750 a term!
Do you offer metal collection bins?
No. Sadly, we found the clothes in the metal collection bins were regularly contaminated with food or rainwater, which meant the clothes were no longer suitable for reuse.
Organising a bag collection day in advance works far better, as you will no longer need any storage at the school and will result in a larger volume of clothes therefore raising you more funds.
Collection days can achieve over 1500kg giving you £750 a term!
Which areas do you cover?
We operate across England, Scotland, and Wales.
If you are unsure, please contact one of our Rags 2 Riches 4 Schools coordinators at 01633 235923 or email us at office@rags2riches4schools.co.uk.
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.
What are we able to collect?
Please check out our items we accept page for a full list of items that we can and can’t accept for recycling.