Furniture and homewares retailer Dunelm has partnered with The Salvation Army charity to launch an online textile takeback scheme aimed at tackling fabric waste.
Classed as a trial for now, the process allows consumers to generate a free shipping label online, and select a courier and a convenient place to drop off their used home textiles.
Dunelm said the scheme will accept anything from bedding and cushions, to throws and blankets – as well as unwanted clothing – and then all textiles are sent to The Salvation Army to be resold or recycled. The retailer suggested the programme will help prevent unnecessary waste and extend the useful life of material.
Consumers can choose to class textiles into ‘reusable’ and ‘non-reusable’ categories, and the goods do not have to be exclusively from Dunelm – they can be from any brand.
Profit received from the resale of items will be given to The Salvation Army to continue to support the good causes it is involved in across the UK.
The online textile takeback scheme trial builds on Dunelm’s existing store-based textile takeback offering. Currently, in 175 Dunelm stores, customers can bring in unwanted textiles, and the scheme is gathering circa 100 tonnes of unwanted textiles for reuse or recycling each month, according to the retailer. It also runs a ‘Home to Home recycling scheme.
Christina Downend, head of climate change & sustainability at Dunelm, commented: ”This trial extends our existing takeback scheme, giving customers a digital option to send back their unwanted home textiles without the need to visit a store.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with The Salvation Army on this convenient solution so customers can help to reduce unnecessary waste whilst supporting the fantastic work being done across the UK for people in need.”
Kirk Bradley, head of corporate partnerships at The Salvation Army, remarked: “Online takeback schemes are one of the best ways to donate your unwanted items, and we are excited to be able to offer this to Dunelm’s customers.”
[image credit: Green Retail World]
