RCYCL + REWEAR now available at THE ICONIC

Salvos Stores is excited to announce that our partnership with Australia and New Zealand’s leading fashion and lifestyle platform, THE ICONIC, is expanding to enable customers to mindfully managequality, reusable clothing and the end-of-life care of unwanted clothing through RCYCL.

This new initiative marks the evolution of the previous ‘Giving Made Easy’ program which has successfully facilitated the donation of used clothing items from THE ICONIC customers to Salvos Stores over the last 5 years. In 2023-2024 alone, Giving Made Easy helped customers donate 10,000kg of clothing for reuse.

Via RCYCL, an Australian-born initiative that facilitates a clothing donation and recycling service, customers now have the option to either donate pre-loved clothes directly to Salvos Stores, or send their unwearable clothes to be recycled, by simply purchasing a bag from THE ICONIC. Customers can then drop both bags to a convenient, local Hubbed parcel point and Salvos Stores and RCYCL take care of the rest. The solution addresses the lack of systematic collection of end-of-life clothing in Australia and alleviates the burden on charities managing unwearable donations.

RCYCL will not only help customers reduce their personal textile waste footprint, but also eases the pressure and cost from charities like Salvos Stores, by better managing unsellable or unwearable items that would otherwise incur significant sorting and landfill costs. Whilst customers will pay a small amount for the service to cover shipping, it supports Salvos Stores and ensures peace of mind that garments are being mindfully donated or recycled at their end-of-life.

Gayle Burchell, Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer at THE ICONIC, stated: “As a leader in the Australian fashion industry, we are committed to advancing sustainability and circularity through innovative solutions. Our partnership with RCYCL represents a step towards a more circular fashion system by addressing the lack of systematic collection of end-of-life clothing.”

Burchell adds, “Whilst we appreciate it may be a behavioural shift to pay for managing the end-of-life of clothing, there is currently an immense burden placed on charities who receive tonnes of clothing that are unable to be worn, let alone the volume of clothing that is being sent to landfill. We are excited to provide Australians with a practical and mindful way to manage clothing waste that ensures their garments are either responsibly recycled or donated effectively.”

Belinda Paul, Founder of RCYCL said, “Allowing the everyday consumer the ability to manage their wardrobe cleanouts is so important in this retail landscape. We are all looking for something to do to help the environment, to feel empowered by our own actions but most of us do not know where to start. By THE ICONIC supporting this action, as a community, we will be able to make the biggest impact possible - starting at home. RCYCL is looking to make our wardrobe clean outs habitual rather than a chore.”

Matt Davis, National Director of Salvos Stores said, “Through effective and innovative industry collaboration, we're making it easier for Australians to embrace sustainability. Every purchase of RCYCL and REWEAR bags reduces waste and fosters responsible reuse, empowering shoppers to play an active role in the circular economy for people and planet.”

Ainsley Simpson, CEO of Seamless supports the initiative stating, “Sustainability is the only possible pathway forward for our sector, and we can only do it if brands who place clothes on the market are responsible for the entire life of that garment, from design through to reuse and recycling. We congratulate THE ICONIC and all the Seamless members for joining forces to help Australians choose, enjoy and recycle more responsibly.

Learn more about RCYCL and REWEAR HERE.