MORE CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS
Matalan has always led the way in value. Our customers trust us to offer good prices but also believe in the quality and durability of our products.
To prove that our clothes can go the distance, we are experimenting with different ways to help customers pass on their clothes, keeping each item in use for longer.
Our relentless focus on quality and cost means that we want to factor waste into our buying decisions, and we aim to divert 100% of our waste from landfill.
Using technology to reduce waste in production
A challenge facing all retailers is reducing the amount of sample products that are made before a line or range is signed off for production. We take great care to get the right colour palette and the right fit across our ranges, so items have to be checked and submitted for quality control. We are training our sourcing and buying teams, as well as our suppliers, to use innovative technologies that allow us to confidently sign off samples digitally. From colour to fit, we aim to increase the use of technology to reduce sample waste and shipping footprint.
Recycling
Alongside our ongoing focus on minimising waste creation, we are committed to managing our waste responsibly and increasing our collective approach to recycling where possible.
As part of our commitment to minimise the negative impacts of waste, we also partner with energy providers to divert our store and head office waste from landfill to energy resources. In 2021, we successfully converted more than 98% of both our store and head office waste to this purpose.
Dry Mixed Recycling (Cardboard, paper, bottles)
At Matalan, we have a dry mixed recycling programme in place across our estate of stores, distribution centres and head office. All our employees play an important role in helping us to recycle personal and commercial waste via dedicated dry mixed recycling facilities across our sites. Thanks to their efforts, in 2021 we recycled 785 tonnes of dry mixed recycling across our portfolio.
Clothing Recycling
To avoid sending non-saleable and returned stock to landfill, we donate it to charity partners instead. In 2021, we donated more than 15,000 mixed bags and cartons of stock from our stores and almost 200 pallets of stock from our distribution centres, diverting approximately 100 tonnes of clothing that could have otherwise gone to landfill.
As part of our terms of business, our overseas operations donate all gold seal samples to local charities.
Electrical Waste Management WEEE
As a distributor of electrical equipment, we support customers to recycle their old items free of charge, via the national network of WEEE recycling centres established by local authorities. Matalan provides financial support as a member of the national Distributor Take-back scheme (DTS).
Recycling old electrical items
To remind you that old electrical equipment can be recycled, it is now marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol. Please do not throw any electrical equipment (including those marked with this symbol) in your bin. Recycle your electrical and electronic devices free and your local recycling centre. To find your nearest centre, visit the www.recycle-more.co.uk website and type in your postcode.
To find more information on WEEE recycling and to locate your nearest recycling centre please visit the www.recycle-more.co.uk website.
