Dunelm trials textile take-back scheme in north west stores
Homeware retailer Dunelm is launching a trial of a new take-back scheme as it looks to help shoppers reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
The programme will be introduced in 18 stores in the north west and north Wales on 13 September including Altrincham, Chester, Liverpool, Preston, Bangor and Warrington. Unwanted textile items from any retailer can be donated to Dunelm stores taking part in the trial.
The retailer said the scheme is the first of its kind in the UK and aims to boost textile collection, reuse and recycling rates amongst shoppers.
Run in partnership with sustainable solutions specialist the CTR Group, the scheme will see Dunelm receive a rebate for stock donations, but all proceeds will be donated to Dunelm’s Mental Health charity partner, Mind.
Shriya Pancholi, senior sustainability manager at Dunelm, said: “We are thrilled to have launched this textile take back scheme in partnership with CTR Group. Providing our customers with accessible solutions to re-use and recycle their old homewares textiles is a key focus within our overall strategy.
“We’re on a journey, and the small incremental steps we take to become a more sustainable business will make a bigger difference than we think. We want our customers to join us on this journey, and to see the value of re-use and efficient recycling.”
In addition, Dunelm has committed to a 100% landfill diversion pledge to ensure that no donations will end up in landfill. Every second life item will be rehomed, reused, recycled or turned into brand new products. Items that will be accepted through the scheme will include clean and undamaged duvet covers and duvets, sheets, pillowcases, bedding protection, pillows, towels and curtains.
Customers taking part will be asked to bag up their unwanted items and take them to one of the designated drop-off boxes in participating stores.
The programme will run alongside Dunelm’s existing sustainability initiatives that include furniture and mattress recycling, a partnership with Recycle Your Electricals, signing of the #PaperlessPledge, a new plastic and packaging policy and participation in the Textiles 2030 pledge, which aims to halve emissions by 2030.
