Retailers reduce clothes waste through SATCoL partnership programme
Collaboration allows brands to repurpose unwanted inventory of textiles, electronics and home goods to raise funds for charitable aims.
The Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL) is calling for retailers to donate excess, returned, and end-of-line stock for resale through its corporate partnership programme, which diverts items from disposal.
Through this initiative, SATCoL is offering retailers a solution to manage obsolete inventory while helping them meet their social responsibility goals. The programme allows brands to reduce warehouse storage costs, free up space for new merchandise, and contribute to circular economy objectives.
"We are partnering with businesses to receive their obsolete, end of line and faulty stock to be reused or repurposed," said Shaunacy Burne, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Salvation Army Trading Company. "Not only are we helping brands to meet their CSR goals with our sustainable solutions, but the donations we receive are sold in our retail outlets to help raise vital funds for our parent charity."
Advanced textile processing capabilities
SATCoL's investment in modern processing centres and new technology has positioned the charity to offer solutions for textile reuse and recycling at a commercial scale. These facilities enable the organisation to handle large volumes of donated goods from corporate partners efficiently.
The trading company works through a nationwide infrastructure of charity shops, donation centres and clothing banks, collaborating with community groups, large organisations, local authorities, schools, colleges and individuals. This wide network enables the collection and distribution of donated items throughout the UK.
Fashion-forward promotion
To showcase the potential of donated goods, SATCoL has produced a professional photoshoot featuring second-hand fashion, electronic devices and home goods.
The charity collaborated with fashion industry photographer Camille Sanson and fashion stylist Karl Willett, whose portfolio includes styling celebrities for prestigious events including The Grammy's and The Met Gala.
"It was a pleasure to be part of the Corporate Donations shoot, a scheme that is contributing to positive change and sustainability for the planet by diverting more everyday items away from landfill," Willett said.
The photographs demonstrate that second-hand items can be stylish and desirable, challenging perceptions about donated goods. Behind-the-scenes footage of the photoshoot has been published on the SATCoL website to promote the initiative.
The campaign aims to attract additional corporate partners while encouraging consumers to consider second-hand shopping options.
Burne added: "We're keen to explore partnership opportunities with retailers, together we can reduce waste and divert more items away from landfill. Please get in touch, we want to hear from you."
