George at Asda has launched a clothing take-back scheme, giving consumers a chance to recycle unwanted garments and textiles in UK stores.
In partnership with Yellow Octopus Group, Asda ‘Take Back’ offers shoppers rewards for recycling. Those using the service are given a 10% off voucher for George.com when they pack up their old and unwanted clothes, and return them to one of the participating shops.
Signing up to the clothing take-back scheme provides customers with a label or QR code, meaning they can self serve as they drop their clothes through Asda’s ‘ToYou’ click & collect service, which is found at many of the company’s stores around the country. Those wishing to take back items will be able to locate their nearest participating store through the locator app once they’ve received their QR code.
Asda said the new initiative is part of its ‘George for Good’ commitment to drive down textile waste and reduce thousands of tonnes of clothing from going to landfill each year.
Unwanted clothing and textiles will not only be diverted from ending up in landfill but help raise money for the retailer’s ‘Tickled Pink’ charity partners. A monetary amount is issued by Yellow Octopus Group per kilogram of clothing/textiles donated, which is directed towards Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!.
Asda estimates that for each additional kilogram of clothing a parcel contains beyond the first 2kg, Breast Cancer Now will receive 27p and CoppaFeel! will receive 12p.
Mel Wilson, global professional lead for sustainable sourcing & quality, said: “It’s really important for our customers and colleagues that we tackle the issue of not just sourcing our clothes more sustainably, but that we encourage everyone in the UK to think about the issues of waste and how to make fashion and textiles more circular so that we really can reduce the number of garments that go into landfill.
“We know that through this pandemic there has been a huge demand for garment recycling with many customers clearing out their wardrobes, so it’s been a big priority for us to make sure that we can not only help to facilitate recycling textiles in a simple and easy way, but that we are also able to give these items a second lease of life and help to drive much needed funding for our charity partners.”
Jack Ostrowski, CEO of Yellow Octopus Group, added: “It is important for the whole fashion industry to transition from linear to circular business model and George is leading the way to achieve this ambitious goal.”
Asda also continues to offer over 400 clothes banks in its store car parks, which are used to support the The Salvation Army.
[Image credit: Asda]
