A sustainable retail experience

How do charity shops help the environment?

Reuse is one of the highest points on the waste hierarchy, and charity shops were built on reuse.

Charity shop interior

A charity shop’s first choice is always to ensure items are reused by selling them on

Charity shops provide a sustainable and ethical option for the public wishing to dispose of unwanted items that have life left in them.

Bookshop, Keech Hospice Care, Newport Pagnell

If a charity shop cannot sell an item, they will seek to recycle it

Charity shops reuse or recycle more than 90% of donated clothing & books and 85% of electrical goods.

Reuse symbol made of clothes

Reuse and recycling through charity shops means that less waste goes to landfill or incineration

In 2018/19, 339,000 tonnes of textiles alone were kept out of landfill or incineration as a result of UK charity retail, which therefore makes a positive difference to the UK’s carbon footprint.

Van loading

UK councils retain more funds to spend on services for residents

UK councils pay £94.15 in Landfill Tax for every tonne of landfilled waste. Charity shops help to keep this bill down. Councils also spend time and money collecting bulky items people no longer need. Charity shops help to lighten the load.

Browsing homewares in a charity shop

Charity shops slow down fast fashion

Charity shops provide market competition to fast fashion outlets on the high street who sell mass produced items imported from around the world. Charity shops give consumers the option to buy clothes sustainably, whatever their budget.

Repurpose spelt in denim

Many charity retailers rescue imperfect items of clothes and furniture and upcycle them

Charity shops are increasingly offering upcycled ranges of furniture, clothes and gifts, promoting reuse and offering an alternative to throwaway culture. Some even hold workshops to show you how to do this yourself!

Shop worker welcoming customers into shop

Charity shopping keeps goods and sales local, benefitting local communities and the environment

Charity shop stock is not shipped all over the country and as there are over 10,100 charity shops out there, you don’t need to make a long journey to use one.

Charity retail careers

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