M&S and H&M ramp up clothes recycling drives
Marks & Spencer is rolling out its clothes recycling scheme Shwopping to workplaces to encourage more consumers to donate unwanted items of clothing.
M&S passes on donated clothing to charity partner Oxfam to resell in its stores as well as collecting unsaleable materials to reuse and make new ranges. It launched the Shwopping coat earlier this year which was made entirely from recycled material from the initiative.
It will install Shwop Drops – clothes recycling boxes – in offices free of charge from next year to help employees take part and reduce the amount of clothing that goes to landfill. Every employee that donates will receive an M&S voucher in return.
M&S is working with Business In The Community (BITC) to promote it to its 850 member companies. B&Q in Southampton, IBM in London and Thames Water in Reading have already signed up to the scheme.
“For companies, it a great way to engage with employees and improve your sustainability credentials.”
Separately, H&M has introduced a similar clothes collections service at its stores in 48 countries.
H&M customers will receive a voucher to spend in store for every bag of clothes donated.
The retailer will accept clothing from any brand in any condition. The initiative is part of H&M’s aim to close the loop on textile production by finding ways to reuse and recycle materials on a large scale.
