Marks & Spencer, Oxfam, and eBay have kickstarted a new pilot scheme for a more circular back-to-school season by selling school uniform items through a pre-loved eBay school uniform shop.

The initiative marks an extension of M&S’ long-standing Shwopping partnership with Oxfam and will see the installation of dedicated school uniform Shwop boxes in over 200 stores across the UK.

M&S, Oxfam, and eBay are calling on customers to donaye their hand-me-down quality school uniform into M&S Shwop boxes over the summer holiday. Customers who donate their pre-loved school uniform into one of the Shwop boxes will receive 20% off selected kids’ clothing at M&S.

Every school uniform sale – whether through Oxfam’s shops or via the eBay shop – will raise funds to support the vital work the charity does to tackle poverty and inequality around the world, including supporting communities on the front line of climate change.

Any school uniform that can’t be resold in Oxfam shops or on eBay will be recycled or reused wherever possible.

Since launching Shwopping in 2008, M&S has collected over 36 million items which has contributed an estimated £23 million to Oxfam’s vital work across the world. Today, the latest insight from M&S’ Family Matters Index highlights that 60% of families continue to be worried about environmental damage on future generations and 44% are looking to make their clothing last longer.

Alexandra Dimitriu, kidswear director at M&S, said: “At M&S, our cloting is too good to waste. We know our customers frequently hand down our school uniform to friends and family and this season, we’re encouraging them to drop school uniform which they no longer need into one of our new Shwopping boxes where it will be resold in Oxfam shops and through our exciting pilot shop with eBay.

“It’s one of the many ways we’re trying to make our best-in-class school uniform accessible to all families, however and whenever they choose to shop.”

Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director, commented: “The Back-to-School Shwopping scheme is a win-win initiative and a simple way for shoppers to make a huge difference. Donating pre-loved school uniforms through the scheme is not only better for the environment, since it gives garments a longer lifecycle, it also raises funds for Oxfam’s life-saving work, and it helps parents here in the UK who may be struggling with the cost of kitting their children out for school.”