# M&S partners with Oxfam to trial recycling donated unwearable clothes

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/04/22/ms-partners-with-oxfam-to-trial-recycling-donated-unwearable-clothes/
- Published: 2024-04-22T09:59:36+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**From today (22 April), consumers will be able to recycle clothing – both wearable
and unwearable – from home by ordering a pre-paid postal donation bag from the Oxfam
website.**

The bag, made from 100% recycled plastic, allows clothing to be separated into two
groups: good quality and wearable, and unwearable but too good to waste. It can 
be returned for free via a local courier with the clothing then going directly to
[Oxfam](https://www.oxfam.org.uk/) to be resold, reused, or recycled. People can
order a bag [here](https://www.oxfamapps.org.uk/donate-clothes/marks-and-spencer/).

#### ‘Wearable’ vs ‘unwearable’

New research conducted for M&S found that one in five consumers say they are confused
by what is meant by ‘wearable’ and ‘unwearable’ clothing. WRAP defines wearable 
clothing as clean, dry, in good condition and ready to be worn by someone else. 
Unwearable clothing is damaged in some way – for instance torn, stained, faded, 
or stretched. Clothes which are soiled or contaminated are not recyclable and customers
are asked not to include these items. To help, M&S has worked with Oxfam to create
a ‘how-to’ guide, which will be enclosed in the pre-paid donation bag.

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#### Trial aims

Through the trial, which is funded through M&S’ Plan A Accelerator Fund, M&S wants
to find new ways to reduce textile waste and increase the use of recycled fibres
to drive the circular economy – a key part of the retailer’s Plan A sustainability
plan.

Katharine Beacham, Head of Materials, Sustainability and Packaging at M&S, commented:

> “At M&S, we’re focused on making good quality, durable products which are made
> to last. In 2008, we launched Shwopping to support customers to give a second 
> home to their preloved clothing, and we’re now expanding our partnership with 
> Oxfam to trial a free postal service which enables customers to clear out their
> pre-loved clothing that they no longer need. Whether it is wearable or unwearable–
> we want it all!”

Lorna Fallon, Trading Director at Oxfam, said: 

> “We are so excited to be working with M&S as part of this brand-new trial. As 
> well as continuing to encourage customers to donate their preloved, wearable clothing
> to Oxfam and help raise vital funds to tackle poverty around the world, this trial
> allows us to give unwearable clothes a second chance of life too. By recirculating
> our clothes, buying, and wearing second hand, we can help to reduce the demand
> for new clothes, which could in turn help to reduce the damage to our planet. 
> So, by learning more about the potential of all our clothes and textiles, we can
> help improve the lifecycle of all of our clothing for the better.”

The trial forms part of the ‘ACT Project’ which is being led by the UK Fashion and
Textile Association (UKFT). The UKFT is working to develop a new framework towards
a UK-based automated-sorting and pre-processing facility (ATSP) that will recycle
clothing unsuitable for re-sale to make new clothing which can be sold in the UK
to create a completely circular system.

Adam Mansell, CEO at UKFT, commented:

> “We’re delighted to be working with Marks & Spencer and Oxfam to give old clothing
> a second chance at life. We need to ACT now to tackle the staggering amount of
> textile waste that ends up in landfill or incinerated each year. Through this 
> trial, we’re aiming to encourage people to separate their items so that in future,
> worn-out clothing can make its way to an automated sorting facility and then be
> recycled into new textiles and garments here in the UK.”

Consumers can use the service to donate any item of preloved clothing from any retailer,
as well as soft furnishings textile waste such as bed linen, towels, cushions, tablecloths,
and tea towels. M&S’ in-store Shwopping scheme is for wearable, hand-me-down quality
clothing only.