Clothing retailer Cotton Traders has partnered with the Salvation Army Trading Company’s (SATCoL) take back scheme.
The move means customers can return their pre-loved clothes to Cotton Traders, which will then direct donations towards The Salvation Army.
Cotton Traders provides access to SATCoL’s Online Clothing Bank, which means consumers can register their clothing donation online, package it up, and deposit it at a local parcel drop-off point. Consumers can include up to six unwanted items in each package.
Kate Johnstone, campaign & communications manager for Cotton Traders, said: “The take back scheme felt like a natural extension of our values, giving our customers a chance to donate unwanted items to this amazing organisation that’s doing its bit to help those most in need.”
Speaking to SATCoL, Johnstone explained some of those values held by the business and revealed several ways the retailer is working on becoming a more sustainable operator.
“We want to support our customers with their sustainable clothing choices, offering organic and recycled products,” she explained.
“People can also feel happy buying from an organisation who have sustainable practices running through our distribution and production networks.”
She also noted that Cotton Traders uses water storage facilities and recycling plants in its fabric mills to capture and re-use water, “keeping waste to a minimum”.
The retailer’s future plans include setting up a solar power farm at its distribution centre in Nottingham, which would allow the business to run off of 100% solar power. The ambition is to exclusively using electric vehicles in its operations by 2024 too.
Other retailers working with SATCoL to help redirect pre-loved clothing towards charity and new owners – and not landfill – include John Lewis and Oh Polly.
SATCoL also sells pre-loved or refurbished home appliances from Beko, as part of the manufacturer’s e-waste reduction drive. Many of The Salvation Army’s shops stock Beko appliances that were either previously faulty but now repaired, or were returned by the manufacturer’s retailer partners.
[Image credit: Green Retail World]
