“We keep dresses we’ll never wear but throw away our ex-boyfriends.”
I’ll let you know who said that in just a tick, but every now and then I get wind of a nice little plan and I like to share. There’s even cash in it for you!
This one involves collaboration between Oxfam and M&S because
(30%) of Brits leave clothing in a wardrobe and forget about them. Nationally that’s an estimated 2.4 billion items of unworn clothes gathering dust on hangers in British wardrobes.
Enter ‘The M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange,’ which was launched this year to encourage people to recycle their unwanted clothes by donating them to Oxfam.
But here’s the really unexpected bit … customers making a donation of M&S clothes (not lingerie, swimwear or socks though) to one of Oxfam’s 790 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland, will receive a voucher worth £5 (EUR7), valid for one month, to use with their next purchase of £35 or more on clothing, homeware or beauty products at M&S.
“Yay,” I say and thrice “Yay. It’s great to see the highstreet act in such a proactive way.” That’s practically a catchy slogan - fortunately for all of us I’m not in the advertising business.
Barbara Stocking, Director, Oxfam says, “There are huge numbers of gorgeous clothes sitting unworn in people’s houses. Oxfam is the original clothes recycling service, and we can turn these forgotten garments into urgently needed money to tackle poverty. This campaign means that people who donate their unwanted clothes can save money at M&S while also helping the environment by wasting less and helping Oxfam improve the lives of countless people around the world – so everyone benefits.”
Yes they do indeedy. Ok then, time to root through the old wardrobe for M&S garments. I guarantee that while you are at it you will find other items that need to be recycled, thus clearing space for you to hang your clothes without them getting all squashed and bunched up. The latter is a technical term that Jane and I use all the time in the wonderful world of styling.
Answer: OK it was Carrie Bradshaw but since I wrote about her in my last post, I’m feeling a bit sheepish and I don’t really want to be going on about her like I’m some kind of besotted fan!
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5 responses so far
1 Helen // May 31, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I’ve tried in the past to deposit clothes at Oxfam clothes shops in Glasgow and been refused. I send all my all stuff to The Salvation Army because they do not have any qualms about the clothing they collect.
2 Caryn Franklin // Jun 2, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Hi Helen,
Strange that Oxfam are so picky where you are, did they ever say why?
3 Joan // Jun 3, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I have also been refused in the past by Oxfam – without them looking at the contents. I was told at the time that they could not take any more, so took them to Help the Aged where they were more than happy to accept them.
4 Caryn Franklin // Jun 3, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Hi Joan,
I guess space is an issue and several unscheduled drops of clothing in a day can mean that there is nowhere to store them! Point is your clothes found a good home – other organisations with a lesser profile are probably delighted that Oxfam is turning away stuff.
5 Jo // Jun 4, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I live in Spain and we have recycling bins everywhere. One is for clothes and shoes although I did worry where it was going to. But I have been told that it does go to people that need it. I think I remember Oxfam not taking my stuff in Hampstead!
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