Partner Article

JD Williams and Duo UK deliver recycling scheme

Clothing giant JD Williams has chosen packaging manufacturer and supplier Duo UK to launch a new initiative aimed at encouraging its customers to recycle old and unwanted clothing. The scheme will use JD Williams’ existing distribution network and aims to reduce the amount of clothing that goes to landfill.

From April, JD Williams will place the specially designed collection sack within all outbound mail order packages allowing customers to bag clothes up and arrange a collection by the firm’s delivery drivers. This collection method gives JD Williams’ customers comfort that their unwanted items are collected by a brand they trust.

JD Williams has signed up to the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP) and pledged to play its part in reducing the carbon, waste and water footprints of clothing they supply or receive in the UK by 15% by 2020. The clothing recycling scheme, which was proposed by senior managers at JD Williams, is designed to build on the company’s existing CSR initiatives in order to meet this target.

With this in mind, JD Williams approached Duo UK, which currently designs the company’s outbound mailing bags, to develop the collection sack concept. Andy York, Ethical Trading Manager for JD Williams, explained: “As a responsible retailer we are always looking for ways to conduct our business in a more socially responsible way. The recycling bag scheme is a simple yet efficient way to do just that – at no cost or trouble to our customer.”

Duo UK’s commercial director, Anthony Brimelow, commented: “When JD Williams told us they had a business objective to develop a clothing recycling scheme we were excited to work with them to meet this goal.

We advised on the most appropriate polythene material blend to achieve a lightweight but strong sack and helped develop a design to communicate user instructions, whilst also aligning with the JD Williams brand image.

Devising an efficient logistics and delivery strategy was another area of consideration and we were able to dovetail delivery of this product with deliveries of outbound packaging, ensuring JD Williams benefit from a seamless, cost-effective service and eradicating any additional road mileage.“

The scheme works in conjunction with leading textile recycler Traid, which sells unwanted clothing to fund projects which aim to stop the exploitation of people and the environment caused by the global clothing supply chain.

Duo UK manufactures and supplies bespoke packaging products for leading e-retail, retail, mail order and industrial brands with all aspects of the polythene manufacturing process carried out in house. Further high profile retail clients include ASOS, Tesco and John Lewis. For further information on Duo products and services visit www.duo-uk.co.uk or phone 0161 203 5767.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Duo UK .