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IKEA has launched a textile take-back scheme at its Cardiff store, to encourage customers to recycle unwanted textiles and help the local community.
The initiative will give shoppers the opportunity to bring in unwanted textiles – from clothing to soft furnishings – purchased from any store, to be reused, repaired or recycled.
Under the pilot, which is supported by charity WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), IKEA Cardiff will donate all the textile products it receives to its charity partner YMCA.
Mandy Caddy, spokesperson 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 IKEA’s existing take-back services spanning sofas, batteries and light bulbs across all its stores in the UK and Ireland.
IKEA will review the pilot in Cardiff with a view to potentially roll it out nationally, depending on customer feedback.
There will also be a series of workshops entitled ‘Revive, Reclaim, Re-Love, Repeat’ at the Cardiff store, teaching customers how to repair old textiles or turn them into new items. The workshops will run each Wednesday from 11am to 1pm and are free to attend.
IKEA’s Cardiff store
