Portlaoise Shaws to begin Oxfam secondhand clothes drive

60 years since Shaws Department Stores was founded in Laois, their Portlaoise store has partnered with Oxfam Ireland to tackle the environmental impact of fashion.

The charity which works worldwide in communities hit by poverty and injustice including in Gaza and Lebanon, has announced their new partnership with Shaws Department Stores.

They say it will provide customers with a simple, sustainable take-back scheme to excess clothing and textiles.

Launching this Autumn/Winter 2024 season, the collaboration will initially roll out in three Shaws locations—Carlow, Portlaoise, and Waterford. 

Each of the three pilot Shaws stores will feature a take-back box and donation sacks, allowing customers to contribute pre-loved clothing. These items will then be collected, processed, and resold or recycled, giving new life to garments that might otherwise go to waste. 

Michael McIlwaine is Director of Trading at Oxfam Ireland.

“We’re thrilled to work with Shaws to drive real change in how clothing and textiles are managed. This partnership represents an important step in our journey to reduce waste and champion sustainable retail practices. By extending the life of clothing and homeware items, we’re able to take meaningful action against climate change. Oxfam Ireland and Shaws hope to move our communities towards a more responsible future where excess is managed,” he said. 

Every year, Oxfam Ireland processes over 1.2 million items of clothing and homewares through its Distribution Centre, diverting over 1,094 tonnes from landfill and incineration. This significant capacity, along with Oxfam Ireland’s 22,000 square foot warehouse and additional off-site storage, allows the organisation to manage excess stock sustainably. 

The partnership will also help inform Shaws customers about the importance of reusing and recycling clothing as part of a broader climate action education strategy. This take-back initiative aligns with Oxfam Ireland’s mission to tackle the climate impact caused by overproduction and overconsumption in the retail industry. 

Oxfam Ireland works to create positive change for communities affected by poverty and injustice, providing sustainable solutions that address root causes of these challenges. Oxfam Ireland is one of 21 Oxfam affiliates working together in 79 countries around the world, hoping to help people build better lives for themselves in an empowered, intersectional way. 

For over 160 years, Shaws has been a proud cornerstone of Irish retail. It was established in 1864 by Henry Shaw in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, in a store that remained open for 57 years. The family-run business grew from that small drapery shop to 16 locations across Ireland, priding themselves on being a trusted destination for quality, value, and exceptional service.

They are opening a new store in Athlone. 

The upcoming partnership with Oxfam Ireland is hoped to serve to strengthen Shaws’ social impact and boost the retailer’s environmental practices.