M&S and Oxfam launch clothing recycling campaign to raise funds

Howard Lake | 16 January 2008 | News

Marks & Spencer and Oxfam have joined forces to launch the M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange, “the biggest programme in the UK to encourage consumers to recycle their clothes”. It will raise money for Oxfam as well as reduce the one million tonnes of clothing sent by the public to landfill in the UK each year.
The partnership was announced on the first anniversary of M&S’ plan to address its environmental impact, ‘Plan A’.
From 28 January customers who donate M&S clothes to Oxfam’s 790 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland will receive a voucher worth £5, valid for one month, to use with their next purchase of £35 or more on clothing, homeware or beauty products at M&S.
Vouchers will not, however, be issued for M&S lingerie, underwear, swimwear, hosiery and socks that are donated to Oxfam.
Sir Stuart Rose, Chief Executive, Marks & Spencer said of the partnership: “It’s a triple win – it’s good for customers, good for people in developing countries and good for the environment.”
Barbara Stocking, Director, Oxfam said: “Recycling and reusing clothes – and anything else we can sell – has always been central to Oxfam’s fundraising, as well as being good for the environment. Through our unique textile sorting facility and the resourcefulness and skills of our specialist staff, Oxfam is able to make the most from all the clothes we receive. People’s unwanted clothes really will raise much needed money to help people living in poverty.”
www.oxfam.org.uk

About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale. He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.