Sustainability Report 2017

Finally, TEXAID provides in selected Swiss clothing stores an in-shop collection system that allows customers to discard their second-hand clothing directly in the stores where they are bought. Textile collection in Germany Since 2016 TEXAID offers in Germany their online collection system for clothing donation called PACKMEE. This free online system allows resi- dents to send their second-hand clothing, shoes and home textiles by mail and reduce the environ- mentally harmful effects of traditional textile col- lection. Social value is added by TEXAID’s collabo- ration with the German Red Cross, which receives a share of the revenues after deduction of postage and logistics expenses, allowing them to finance social projects of their own. Other partners inclu- de the logistics companies DHL, Hermes, and the textile company Esprit. To use the service, residents simply put their se- cond-hand clothing, shoes, and home textiles in a large cardboard shipping box, print out a free shipping label from the PACKMEE website, apply the label to the box and drop the box off at one of the 55,000 Hermes and DHL collection points all over Germany. Alternatively, they can give the box to a parcel carrier the next time they receive a delivery. The PACKMEE service helps reduce harmful envi- ronmental emissions by making use of the exis- ting parcel collection services of DHL and Hermes. No further logistics processes are required to pick up the boxes. In the e-commerce era, PACKMEE is an innovative addition to traditional collection systems. PACKMEE marketing actions 19