M&S introduces shwopping in the workplace

07 Dec 2012 News

Marks & Spencer has extended its shwopping clothing collections scheme into the workplace, launching dedicated 'shwop drops' for businesses throughout the UK from next year.

Joanna Lumley supports the schwopping initiative

Marks & Spencer has extended its shwopping clothing collections scheme into the workplace, launching dedicated 'shwop drops' for businesses throughout the UK from next year.

Shwopping was introduced by M&S in support of Oxfam in April. Customers are encouraged to donate used or unwanted clothing in its stores or in Oxfam shops in return for money-off vouchers. So far it has seen two million items donated.

The extension in to the workplace, announced yesterday, will allow businesses to obtain clothes recycling boxes for one day, delivered and collected by M&S. Donated goods will then be re-sold, re-used or recycled, raising funds for Oxfam in the process, with M&S assuring "nothing will go to landfill". Every employee donating to the box will receive a £5 off when you spend £35 or more voucher for M&S.

The scheme is being supported by Business In the Community (BITC) which chose M&S as its Responsible Business of the Year for 2012. BITC is actively promoting shwopping in the workplace to its 850 members which have 17.8 million employees.

Shwopping falls under Marks & Spencer's 'Plan A' corporate social responsibility plan. Adam Elman, head of Plan A delivery at M&S, said: "We're passionate about giving used clothes a future. One man's old shirt is another's retro classic and we can even transform tatty clothing into new products, such as mattress or car seat fillings. There's no excuse for sending textiles to landfill and that's why we're doing everything we can to make it easy for people to recycle with Oxfam. 

"We've spoken at length with our customers - on Facebook, in focus groups and day-to-day in stores - and they want us to make shwopping as easy as possible, and that's why we're bringing it to offices and workplaces."

Sarah Farquhar, Oxfam spokesperson, said: "Every single item of clothing donated to us from the British public finds a home and helps Oxfam raise money, whether it is resold to another Oxfam shopper, re-used or recycled. We know that people lead busy lives, so the beauty of shwopping is that it meets people wherever they are – whether on the high street at their local M&S or Oxfam shop, or now in their own workplace."