THE ICONIC has partnered with Australian-born clothing donation and recycling service initiative, RCYCL, to enable customers to better manage end-of-life of unwanted clothing.

Via RCYCL, customers can either donate pre-loved clothes directly to Salvos Stores or send unwearable clothes to be recycled, by simply purchasing a satchel from THE ICONIC. The solution addresses the lack of systematic collection of end-of-life clothing in Australia and alleviates the burden on charities.

As a foundation member of Seamless, THE ICONIC’s partnership with RCYCL underscores its ongoing commitment to help build a circular fashion system and remove barriers for customers to participate.

Each year, 200,000 tonnes of clothing are sent to landfill in Australia and a further 190,000 tonnes of clothing are donated to charities, however, some of this is unwearable.

RCYCL 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. While customers 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.

THE ICONIC chief commercial and sustainability officer, Gayle Burchell said, “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.

“While 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.”

RCYCL founder, Belinda Paul added, “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.”

The 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 five years.