IKEA said, as its first textile take-back initiative in the UK, the scheme will give customers in Cardiff the opportunity to bring in any unwanted textiles purchased from any store – from clothing to soft furnishings – to be reused, repaired or recycled.
There will also be workshops in store showing customers how they can revive old textiles, or turn them into something new.
The pilot, supported by resources charity WRAP, will see IKEA Cardiff donate all textile products received from customers to the YMCA in Roath, Cardiff. The scheme will provide a range of textiles for people in the local community, including the homeless and low-income families.
WRAP
Recent research by WRAP reveals that textiles are one of the least recycled commodities in the waste sector. Each year, WRAP estimates that the UK consumes 1.7 million tonnes of textiles, with almost a third (620,000 tonnes) ending up in landfill or incineration.
Matthew Fessey, store manager at IKEA Cardiff, said: “With our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people, the textile take-back scheme in Cardiff will help our customers to live more sustainably while supporting people in need who are living in the local community.
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do and this scheme builds on our zero waste to landfill achievement last year across the UK & Ireland business. We also want to allow our customers to upcycle their unwanted goods instead of throwing them away, minimising the contribution to landfill.”
Further to its achievement of zero waste to landfill across the UK and Ireland business, the IKEA Group’s Sustainability Report for 2016 reported the company had reached 88.7% recycling and recovery rate from its operations worldwide, in the 12 months to the end of August 2016. (see letsrecycle.com story)
YMCA
According to IKEA, its charity partner in Cardiff, the YMCA, will supply a constant flow of textile products to low-income households and charity shops in the local area, with weekly collections from the IKEA store.
The retailer said the YMCA will also provide training opportunities for out of work people in the Cardiff area.
Mandy Caddy, from the YMCA in Cardiff, said: “We are delighted to partner with IKEA Cardiff on the textile take-back scheme. This initiative not only diverts waste from landfill, but enables the YMCA to provide much-needed items to people in the community.”
“Donated items will also be sold at our charity shops, helping to generate income to support homeless services in Cardiff. What’s more, it will provide the homeless and unemployed with training opportunities in recycling and retail to help them find employment. It’s a win-win for the local community and the environment.”
The new scheme in Cardiff joins IKEAs existing take-back services spanning sofas, batteries and light bulbs across all its stores in the UK and Ireland.
Related links
IKEA Cardiff
Subscribe for free