In recent years, high street fashion retailers have been making attempts to become more sustainable as shoppers strive to reduce, reuse and recycle - even when it comes to their wardrobe. And now, River Island is giving away shopping vouchers to those who offload their unwanted clothes with the retailer.
The popular fashion store trialled a TakeBack scheme with the brand Reskinned in April last year, with 25 stores taking part, but now, it’s being rolled out to each of their stores - including the Trafford Centre and Arndale Centre.
The initiative aims to find unwanted clothes a new home by reselling, repurposing or recycling them, rewarding you with money off for doing your bit for the planet.
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To take part, you need a minimum of three items of clothing - up to a maximum of 10kg in weight - which can be exchanged for a £5 gift voucher for River Island.
The clothes can be from any brand, too, not just River Island, and it can be done mostly online.
Shoppers can head to the River Island section on Reskinned and select the items they want to return to their basket and follow the step by step instructions on the site. Then, simply package the items in a delivery box or fashion bag you’ve got lying around the house, and drop it off in your nearest River Island store.
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The exchange will be verified in store, and then shoppers will receive an e-voucher to save £5 on a £40 shop, which will be valid for one month, giving you a few weeks to decide which new piece to add to your wardrobe.
The Reskinned website says: “We know how it goes. Sometimes you just fall out of love with your clothes. Or maybe something new catches your eye that needs a touch more room in your wardrobe. Whatever the reason, send your unwanted clothes back to us and we’ll find them a new home.
“If they are past their best we'll recycle them responsibly. As a little thank you we’ll provide you with a £5 voucher. “
And they’re not the only retailer who will offer you cash for your clothes, either, with H&M offering a scheme where you can get £5 off a £25 spend for every bag of unwanted clothes and textiles that you recycle with them. They can be any brand and in any condition - but you do have to spend the voucher on the same day.
Meanwhile, for every five items of pre-loved clothing that can be resold or recycled, John Lewis will give you £5 off a fashion or homeware purchase when you spend £20 or more that same day.
Putting your best foot forward, bringing in an old pair of shoes to Schuh will earn you £5 off any purchase of £25 or more. Shoes do not have to be originally from Schuh, so any tatty trainers count.
And under its “shwopping” scheme, you can take your unwanted clothes to any Oxfam shop and you can receive a £5 M&S voucher off a £35 spend on clothing, homeware and beauty products. There must be at least one item of M&S labelled clothing or soft furnishings in your donation, excluding sale and clearance items, to quality for the offer.
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