Marks and Spencer launches 'shwopping' to cut landfill

[naomi24]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17860793

Good idea? I think so.

[gness]

Doesn`t Oxfam use some donated money for projects in the UK or am I mistaken?

[naomi24]

Em, //the idea is that people will bring in old clothes to donate, when buying new items, thus reducing landfill //

I don't know, but I assume that means when you come into the store, you don't have to buy something to donate. Joanna Lumley said on the video there are boxes for donations.

[emmie]

i was under the impression from the video and the tv ad, you buy something from the shop, and then donate old clothes. That is why it's called shwopping..

[emmie]

i understand about the landfill, i have donated lots to a friend who runs a charity shop. Though i have heard from other sources that many clothes end up in landfill anyway.

[naomi24]

I think that's the point of this, em. Their aim is that nothing ends up in landfill.

As for having to shop to 'shwop', I had assumed that no purchase is necessary - but I might be wrong. I'll try to find out.

[emmie]

naomi, this is off the website.
British retailer Marks & Spencer has partnered with charity Oxfam to introduce a new shopping scheme called ‘schwopping.’ The philanthropic idea pushes the notion of ‘buy one, give one’ culture by encouraging customers to donate an item of clothing to charity whenever they purchase something new from the department store.

[hc4361]

I don't think you'd be welcome turning up with your black bags of old clothes.

[emmie]

exactly.. the idea is when you are buying something from the store, you can donate some old clothes, M&S stuff or others, but not just drop your old clothes in willy nilly..

[EcclesCake]

I was dragged kicking and screaming into an enormous M&S by a friend today.

The only thing I saw was a big picture of Joanna Lumley, I didn't see anywhere to donate any clothes.

[237SJ]

It`s a good idea but most of the time when I shop for clothes, it`s an impulse thing and I wouldn`t have anything to exchange to hand. M&S have done this before only they seem to have forgotten about the £5 voucher they used to give out last time.

[Mamyalynne]

All my clothes with life left in them, go to our local Hospice shop. Any items beyond rescue are stripped of their buttons, trims etc (which are useful for craft projects) and cut up for cleaning clothes.

[emmie]

mine have gone to a friend who runs a charity shop, and is collected.
i have some more stuff but i am not schlepping down the high street to M&S with it, i would probably need an a large van by the time i sort it out.

[naomi24]

Thanks Em. Not quite as altruistic as I thought then. No surprise really - business is business - but it's a shame.

[cathfromsaron]

always have recycled, so makes no odds to me!

but you got a voucher from marks for the same stuff last year!

and only oxfam will benefit, so a bit unfair!

[emmie]

when i watched the ad with Joanna Lumley i did think it's a bit of a swizz, seeing how they are saying buy something first.