Dunelm launches online textile takeback scheme with The Salvation Army
Dunelm has teamed up with The Salvation Army to launch a trial online textile takeback scheme as it looks to help tackle textile waste.
The move will allow customers who visit Dunelm.com to generate a free shipping label, choose a courier and select a convenient place to drop off their used home textiles, which can come from any brand. These will then be sent to The Salvation Army to be resold or recycled, with profits retained by the charity for its good works.
Items to be accepted will include anything from bedding and cushions, to throws and blankets, as well as unwanted clothing.
Dunelm said it will ask customers to help divert more items away from disposal by giving them the option of separating textiles into ‘reusable’ and ‘non-reusable’ items, with clear guidelines given.
The trial is a part of ‘ACT UK’, a two-year project led by UK Fashion & Textile Association to support the transition from the manual sorting of clothes and textiles that can’t be re-sold to a highly automated sorting and pre-processing system.
It builds on Dunelm’s existing store-based textile takeback scheme that is in operation at 175 stores.
Christina Downend, head of climate change & sustainability at Dunelm, said: ”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, added: “We are thrilled to introduce this new scheme to support Dunelm with their sustainability ambitions.
“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.”
Earlier this month, Dunelm announced that its annual profit is expected to come in slightly ahead of expectations after strong fourth quarter trading.
