Marks & Spencer is extending its long-standing Shwopping scheme with the roll-out of dedicated Back to School Shwopping boxes for school uniform in over 200 of its stores across the UK.

Through the new M&S Back to School Shwopping boxes, donated pre-loved school uniform that passes the hand-me-down quality test will receive a second life in an Oxfam shop. It will also be available on a dedicated pre-loved school uniform shop on eBay. The initiative marks the first time that a national retailer, Oxfam and eBay have united to pilot the sale of school uniform through a pre-loved eBay school uniform shop.

Every school uniform sale – whether through Oxfam’s shops or via the eBay shop – will raise funds to support Oxfam’s work to tackle poverty and inequality around the world. This includes supporting communities on the front line of climate change. Any school uniform that can’t be resold in Oxfam shops or on eBay will be recycled or reused wherever possible.

Driving the circular economy

M&S has been sourcing and making products that are too good to waste since its very beginning, and driving the circular economy remains a key pillar of Plan A – M&S’ sustainability programme. Since launching Shwopping in 2008, M&S has collected over 36 million items which have contributed an estimated £23 million to Oxfam’s vital work across the world.

Today, the latest insight from M&S’ Family Matters Index highlights that 60% of families continue to be worried about environmental damage to future generations. Plus, 44% are looking to make their clothing last longer. The Back to School Shwopping scheme is the latest initiative from M&S as it continues to support its customers to live lower carbon lifestyles.

 

 

Commenting is Alexandra Dimitriu, Kidswear Director at M&S.

“We know our customers frequently hand down our school uniform to friends and family and this season we’re encouraging them to drop school uniform which they no longer need into one of our new Shwopping boxes, where it will be resold in Oxfam shops and through our exciting pilot shop with eBay.”

Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director, adds; “The Back to School Shwopping scheme is a win-win initiative and a simple way for shoppers to make a huge difference. Donating pre-loved school uniforms through the scheme is not only better for the environment since it gives garments a longer lifecycle, but it also raises funds for Oxfam’s life-saving work, and it helps parents here in the UK who may be struggling with the cost of kitting their children out for school.”

Lucy Peacock, Head of Pre-Loved Fashion at eBay UK, concludes; “Every parent should be able to have access to a school uniform for their child at any age which is good quality and fit for purpose. The cost of living crisis has created greater education poverty and an ever-increasing need for school uniforms. Together with M&S and Oxfam, we are proud to be able to pilot an ecommerce solution to help parents get access to pre-loved school uniforms across all corners of the UK.”