Penneys launch new clothes takeback scheme across all 36 Irish stores

On a decluttering buzz and got clothes that no longer fit or that you no longer love?

Don't throw them in the bin, recycle them instead! To help us all be more sustainable when it comes to fashion, Penneys is now launching a brand new clothing takeback scheme across all their 36 Irish stores. The new clothes and textile recycling scheme aims to make it more convenient for people to donate their pre-loved clothes and textiles and help give them a second life. This project launches as new research into Irish consumers’ recycling behaviour found that a lack of drop off locations is a barrier, with the vast majority more likely to recycle clothing and footwear if they could do so in a store. In fact, new research published by Penneys, conducted by RED C Research & Marketing, also highlights Irish consumers are still unsure about the do’s and don’ts of recycling, with almost a quarter (23%) unaware that clothing and footwear can be recycled at all. In addition, over half (51%) admitted they throw out old clothes that can’t be re-worn, while 91% of people said they do recycle clothing and footwear that can be re-worn. The best bit is that the Penneys Textile Takeback scheme accepts clothing, footwear, bags and even some textiles such as towels and bedsheets, from any brand in any condition via the new collection boxes in stores. These are then collected, sorted and either re-used, recycled or repurposed. “We’ve recently launched our bold new ambition to become a circular and more sustainable business: making it easier for customers to donate or recycle their pre-loved clothes is an important part of this, explains Damien O’Neill, Head of Sales at Penneys. "We want to help educate our customers and bring them on this journey with this and part of this is understanding what they think today about recycling old clothes. While it was very encouraging to see how many people already donate their pre-loved clothes and footwear, we’ve learned that there is still more to do to help educate customers about what can be recycled and where. Our new scheme in Penneys is part of our goal to help people make more sustainable choices and to recycle or donate with convenience. Reducing fashion waste, alongside our commitment that all our clothes will be made from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials by 2030 and how we are working to give our clothes a longer life are all important parts of how we are becoming a more circular business.”   As well as Ireland, the scheme also launches today in Germany and Austria and follows it successful launch in the UK. Penneys has also taken care in selecting a responsible recycling partner: once again working with Yellow Octopus, a leading recycling specialist, who operates its UK scheme. It has a ‘no landfill’ policy across the 21 countries it operates in, diverting around one million garments from landfill every month. It aims for as many donations as possible to be worn again, with the remainder being repurposed into new products such as insulation, toy stuffing and mattress fillers. Even better? All profits from the scheme will go to UNICEF, one of Primark’s global charity partners.