The Salvation Army is known for its longstanding commitment to reuse and recycling. To tackle the problem of unwearable clothing and household linens which cannot be reused, Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL), the trading arm of the charity, is running a regional trial in partnership with Tesco which aims to encourage customers to donate worn out textiles to specially designed textile collection banks.  

SATCoL has a long-established relationship with Tesco that includes their in-store Takeback Scheme and over 2,000 clothing banks located at Tesco carparks. Their latest venture aims to extend their efforts to reduce textiles waste, in collaboration with ACT UK (Automatic-sorting for Circularity in Textiles), and led by the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT).

ACT UK is a group of brands, retailers, textile recyclers, industry associations, technologies, clothing manufacturers and academic institutions which will pioneer automated sorting and pre-processing facilities which could eventually divert thousands of tonnes of textile waste from landfill and disposal each year.​   

​SATCoL has placed 18 new textile collection banks at Tesco recycling sites, with further banks placed at two Household Waste Recycling Centres in the East of England. The trial asks donors to separate clothing and home textiles into two different textile banks – one for reusable items titled Wear Again and the other for non-reusable items for recycling titled Worn Out. Donors are given information on the front of each bank to explain the textiles that can be deposited.   This trial was initially scheduled to last for 6 months, but has since been extended for further analysis by another 6 months .

The 18 Tesco sites and 2 Household Waste Recycling Centre in the East of England selected for the 6-month trial are as follows: 

Tesco Superstore, 71 High Street, Kidlington  OX5 2DN  

Tesco Extra, Copdock Interchange, Ipswich  IP8 3TS  

Tesco Superstore, Brook Retail Park, London Road, Clacton-on-Sea  CO15 4EF  

Tesco Superstore, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray  LE13 1SQ  

Tesco Extra, Church Street, Lichfield  WS13 6DZ  

Tesco Extra, Power Station Road, Rugeley  WS15 2HS  

Tesco Extra,1 Armada Way, Royal Dock Road, Beckton  E6 7FB  

Tesco Extra, Bridge Road, Dover Corner, Rainham  RM13 9YZ  

Tesco Superstore, Cedars Link Road, Stowmarket  IP14 5BE  

Tesco Extra, Cygnet View, Lakeside, Grays  RM20 1TX  

Tesco Extra,15-18 Viking Way, Bar Hill  CB23 8EL  

Tesco Superstore, Cambridge Road Industrial Estate, Cambridge Road, Milton  CB24 6AY  

Tesco Superstore, London Road, Tring  HP23 5NB  

Tesco Narbourgh   LE3 5LH  

FCC Environment, Fengate Household Recycling Centre, Dodson House, Fengate  PE1 5XG  

Grantham - HWRC - Alexandra Road  NG31 7AH  

Tesco Extra, Oakley Road, Corby  NN18 8AL  

Tesco Superstore, Ropes Drive, Kesgrave  IP5 2FU  

Tesco Extra, Anson Road, Martlesham Heath  IP5 3RU  

Tesco Superstore, Lakeview Drive, Bicester  OX26 6WA  

A media campaign titled #RuinedNotWasted to engage, inspire and empower citizens in the 20 chosen communities for the trial, forms part of the activity to help raise awareness for this initiative in the East of England region. The campaign images and video content feature examples of everyday mishaps with clothing and household linens, as well as worn out items, with a clear message that asks the public to sort their textiles and donate to the trial 'Worn Out, Wear Again' clothing banks. 

As part of the trial, Salvation Army Trading Company will analyse donations to understand more about motivations and changes in donor behaviour. Donors are also able to continue to donate good quality clothing to the Wear Again banks which provides donations and raises funds for The Salvation Army. There are approx. 9,000 clothing banks and over 240 charity shops across the UK operated by SATCoL on behalf of the parent charity. 

For more information follow #acttakeback or visit​ www.acttakeback.org

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