There are currently over 200 clothing banks located at One Stop stores around the UK. These clothing banks have collected an impressive 7,718 tonnes of donated textiles, which equates to approximately 30 million items.
The Salvation Army, a charitable organization, provides specialist support for survivors and potential victims of modern slavery, as well as shelter for those experiencing homelessness and much more. The Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL), which operates the clothing banks, is the trading arm of the charity. They raise money through nationwide reuse and repurposing schemes.
Thanks to the support of the British public, SATCoL has donated a remarkable £80m to The Salvation Army in the last ten years alone.
In addition to the clothing banks stationed outside several One Stop stores, customers can also find The Salvation Army food bank points inside. These food bank points allow customers to purchase extra items to support those in need.
Furthermore, SATCoL has recently announced an exciting joint venture called Project Re:claim. This venture involves corporate wear specialists Project Plan B and Salvation Army Trading Company. Together, they are planning to build a world-first commercial-scale, post-consumer polyester recycling plant. This innovative technology represents the next step towards SATCoL’s ambition of creating the UK’s first fiber farm, with the goal of significantly scaling up textile-to-textile recycling efforts for all types of materials.
Clothing can be donated through SATCoL’s clothing banks located at One Stop stores and other sites across the UK. Alternatively, customers can take their donated clothing directly into a One Stop store and drop it off at the designated clothing bank.
The profits generated from the resale of these donated items will be given to The Salvation Army to continue supporting their impactful work throughout the UK.
Justin Frost, national senior account manager at Salvation Army Trading Company, expressed his satisfaction with the 10th anniversary of the partnership with One Stop. He highlighted the fitting alignment between the organizations, with community being at the core of their shared values. Frost emphasized the immense impact of the partnership, as over 7,718 tonnes of clothing have been donated to The Salvation Army’s textile banks at One Stop stores. These donations can be repurposed and resold to raise valuable funds for the vital charity work within the communities they serve.