Reskinned Takeback Programme: The Circular Fashion Solution

What Is a Clothing Takeback Programme?

Is this the first you’re hearing about a clothing takeback programme? Don’t worry, we’ll explain.

A clothing takeback programme is a way for everyone to return their unwanted clothes to a retailer or brand, or a company like us, so they can be properly recycled or resold.

Some brands opt to do this themselves, but others know that recycling is a challenge best left to the professionals, and with 30+ years of experience, it’s safe to say that we know our stuff. We embrace the latest and greatest in recycling technology so our brands and customers are safe in knowing that the best solution for their old things is the solution we’ll choose.

Takeback schemes play a crucial role in reducing the amount of clothing that goes to landfill. Unfortunately, a high percentage of clothes sent to charity shops end up in landfill if unsold, so takeback schemes are an alternative that stops that from happening.

Why Reskinned’s Takeback Programme Is Different From Branded Takeback

Did we tell you the best part yet?

Our takeback scheme includes everything. So you can send us any old stuff - not just the things from our brands.

We’re encouraging you to clear out the clothes you’re not wearing to make room for the ones you do, and we’ll handle the responsible rehoming and recycling of everything you send.

This is an exciting step for us, as it opens up the world of circularity to the brands that aren’t prioritising it, and not just the ones that are. And when we say anything, we really mean it. From the discount shop dress that fell apart the first time you wore it, to the dodgy halloween costume you threw together last minute - we want it all.

We know that’s often the stuff that ends up in landfill, and that’s what we want to avoid.

How Long is the Reskinned Takeback Scheme Running For?

At this stage, we’re trialling our own takeback scheme in partnership with ACT UK, to find out if this is something that we can do long term, and learn a bit more about the clothes you are getting rid of.

So we appreciate it greatly when you take part - please do.

ACT UK stands for the Automatic-sorting for Circular Textiles Demonstrator, which is a project led by the UK Fashion and Textiles Association. Alongside us, other fashion, retail and recycling experts are coming together to create a framework for a UK-based auto-sorting and processing facility, so we can divert unwearable clothes away from landfill.

The data that we collect about the clothes that are donated to us will be gathered by our friends at the Waste & Resources Action Programe or WRAP who will analyse it to support our solutions.

Basically, we want to take your old, worn-out stuff, and find the best solutions to make them into new clothes, so we can reshape the world of recycling fashion and reduce the collective impact that our old clothes have on the planet.

Why is our Takeback Scheme Great?

Because you care about the planet, and you want to do the right thing with your textile waste.

It’s not often that it’s easy to do the right thing, but we want to make sure that with your old clothes, this is the case.

Every garment you send to us will get a second life, no matter what. Through resale, repair or recycling, nothing will be wasted.

We don’t want to toot our own horn - oh actually, maybe we do. Here are all the reasons the Reskinned takeback scheme goes above and beyond the norm.

Our Zero Waste Commitment

We guarantee that no garment you send us will end up in a landfill. Through a combination of recycling, rewear, and repair, all the clothes that come to us find a new purpose. So the more, the merrier.

Advanced Textile Recycling

We are self-confessed textile recycling geeks, and we know all the latest in how to recycle clothes - from the easy stuff to the tricky fabrics.

With our connections to industry leading recycling technologies, we can break down pretty much anything and turn it into something new, reducing the environmental impact of discarded textiles as much as possible.

Prolonging Garment Life

We want clothes to be clothes for as long as they can. Each item you wear is lovingly made by a real person’s hands - whether it cost you £1 or £1000. We prioritise rewear over recycling, so anything that can be worn again will be.

Ethical Sorting

This is an individual process. All clothes are individual, and we need to make sure they go to the right place. That means individually assessing each and every one, so that it can be put down the most sustainable path.

We Reward Your Commitment

You should feel pretty good about doing the right thing with your waste, but we want to make sure you know how grateful we are.

That’s why we’ll reward you with a £10 voucher to spend on Reskinned, so you can add something pre-loved to your wardrobe to replace the old.

How Can I Get Involved in Reskinned’s Takeback Programme?

The question on everyone’s mind!

We know you’re busy, and you hardly need to add another thing to the to do list. So of course, we made it as simple as possible to take part in our takeback programme.

All you need to do is:

1. Gather Your Clothes, Shoes and Accessories: Whether it’s slightly worn, damaged, or completely unwearable, we accept all types of textiles. So collect the things you want to get rid of, put them in a pile and you’re ready for step 2.
2. Add the Items to Your Takeback Basket: Simply select your return items using our easy online tool. We'll step you through the process. A minimum of 3 items is requested to participate in the programme
3. Label for Recycling: You know your clothes better than we do, so you will know what’s wearable, and what’s long past its best. Please mark your recycling items with a ‘X’ on the brand or care label, so we know what route to send them down. More on what’s for recycling later.
4. Pack it Up: We don’t believe in wasting new packaging when there’s so much around, so we encourage you to get creative, and use the things in your recycling bin. That could be a plastic carrier bag, a binbag, old parcel packaging - whatever works for you, works for us. Just remember to package your things securely so nothing falls out along the way.
5. Ship it To Us: You don’t have to worry about paying for shipping or standing in line in the post office for hours. Simply take your parcel to your nearest courier drop point (we’ll tell you where that is) and they can print the label for you and send it to our sorting warehouse.
6. Get Your Reward: Once you’ve done the work, you’ll get your reward. The minute we receive your takeback parcel, we’ll have a quick look to make sure you’ve sent what you said you would, and send over your £10 Reskinned discount code via email, so you can use it instantly.
7. Shop at Reskinned: Replenish your wardrobe with something pre-loved to complete the process. Your old item is being given another life, now it's time to use that discount code at Reskinned online.

How Do I Know What’s for Recycling vs. Rehoming?

Please don’t send us your items unless you properly label them, so we know exactly what to do with them.

Here’s a guide to what should be labelled, and what doesn’t need to be.

Rewear items

There’s no need to label the items that are still fit for wearing again. Anything that’s brand new, or as good as new, or in fair condition can be sent to us as they are.

If your item needs a minor repair, like it’s missing a button or the hem has come loose, then that’s rewearable too. Our in-house repairs team will pull out the needle and thread and spruce it up for a new home.

Recycle items

It’s the recycling items that need to be labelled. Just use a pen or marker to draw a cross on either the brand label or the care label of your items that are long past their best.

Here’s a guide to what should be recycled:

Anything tatty, damaged, stained, shrunk, broken or torn.

What Can’t You Send to Reskinned Takeback Scheme?

We accept pretty much everything, but please don’t send any items that are wet or contaminated.

Thanks!

How to Clear Out Your Wardrobe Sustainably

If you’re anything like the rest of the folk in the UK, you’re probably due a wardrobe clearout. This is how to do it sustainably and simply.

Split Your Clothes into Categories

This is the best way to see what you actually own. Split things out by different types, and how often you wear them, if at all. Decide what’s worth saving, and what’s ready to find a new home.

Sort Your Clothes Mindfully

When it comes to decluttering, this is a great opportunity to be mindful about the things you own. Instead of throwing stuff in the bin, no matter what condition, you can send it to us. Take time to reflect on what you want to get rid of. Can you see some patterns in how you’ve shopped, and the things you don’t wear?

Are there any changes that you could make to wear more of your wardrobe, and shop more sustainably?

Send us Whatever You Want

You might have different ideas for the clothes you’re getting rid of, and that’s okay. Has one of your friends always had her eye on the sequin dress you’ve worn to one too many parties? Is there something you know you could sell for almost as much as you bought it for?

Work out the best thing to do with all your things, and send us the ones that you’re finished with.

Alternatively, skip the hassle of working out what to do, and just send everything to us. We’ll handle the rest.

Make Decluttering a Habit

The people who make the best sustainable and mindful wardrobe decisions are generally the ones who keep on top of it, and prioritise it all year round. Schedule your next clear out, and over time you’ll really notice the difference in how you shop and how easy it is to get dressed.

This is not just about recycling. It’s about revolutionising the way we think about fashion waste. When you take part you’ll be helping us do important research into the types of clothes being wasted, meaning that we can find the best solutions on a higher scale. If you want to check out our branded takeback schemes, you can do that here.

Join us in making fashion more sustainable, one clearout at a time.

The Reskinned takeback trial is part of the ACT UK project which is partially funded by Innovate UK and managed by the UK Fashion and Textiles Association. For more information about ACT UK visit ukft.org/innovation/act-uk. To find out more about other ACT UK recycling trials visit acttakeback.org.