For sustainability reasons, Marks & Spencer and H&M are both inviting customers to donate old or unwanted clothing and receive a discount on new purchases. The stores (or their partners) handle behind-the-scenes logistics of getting old clothes to the next step in the recycling process.
 |
| From H&M, recycled polyester |
This is part of a broader movement to keep usable materials away from landfills and make better use of the world's resources. Popular retailers like M&S (927,000
Facebook likes) and H&M (13
million Facebook likes) can make a real difference when they communicate this message and reward customers for participating.
- H&M, the Swedish fast-fashion retailer with a global presence, already markets products made from recycled materials, such as this top made from recycled polyester. Now H&M has a deal with Germany's I:Collect to collect shopper-donated clothing from the retailer's stores and repurpose the textiles for other uses. From February 2013, shoppers who donate will receive an H&M voucher.
 |
| From M&S, shwopping |
- M&S has been partnering with the charity Oxfam to promote Shwopping: Shoppers drop off unwanted clothes at the retailer's branches and pick up a discount voucher. The latest twist is that employers are signing up to host drop boxes in their offices, to make it more convenient than ever for consumers to do something positive with their unwanted garments.
