With all schools resuming full face-to-face classes on a daily basis across the island this week, the UNICYLE team has facilitated the handover of 2,000 personal hand sanitisers, 100 child-sized masks and more than 60 uniform items valued at close to J$250,000.

This adds to the outcome of the UNICYCLE drive in 2021 which saw more than 300 khaki uniforms, 1,000 masks and school supplies being donated to several schools across Jamaica.  

Globally, fast fashion emits 1.2 billion tons of CO2 annually (more than air travel and shipping combined). It also produces 20 per cent of wastewater.

Sixty per cent of clothing comes from synthetics made of petrochemicals. Various studies indicate that even short extensions of the average life of clothing reduces its carbon, water and waste footprint by five to 10 per cent. Since 2018, UNICYCLE Jamaica has been trying to support greater awareness of the impact of sustainable clothing use on our climate by collecting and redistributed close to J$2 million worth of uniforms to families in need in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Youth.

“Fontana is always happy to support community initiatives and UNICYCLE is special to us because it is youth led,” explained Stephanie Smith, marketing manager.

Maria Greenland, UNICYCLE social media/community outreach officer, also shared that “we hope to raise more funds to be able to donate even more uniforms and school supplies during our next drive which we will launch in May/June 2022″.

Greenland added: “If anyone is interested in helping they can reach us on Instagram @unicyclejamaica or via email at [email protected]. They can also just look out for the big yellow containers at Fontanas across the island in a few months.”