Earlier this year, John Lewis announced plans to launch a scheme that buys back unwanted clothing from customers to reduce the 300,000 tonnes of fashion waste going into landfill each year.

The new scheme launches in the new year and means shoppers will be able to earn money on their clothes while also supporting the environment.

And now Primark has announced it’s joining in with its own version that will donate unwanted clothes to charity.

Speaking on twitter, the clothing chain said that while they "have very little unused stock" there are plans to launch a take-back scheme for consumers next year – where old clothes can be returned and recycled by overseas charities.

A spokesman told The Mirror: "We can confirm Primark will be launching an in-store customer recycling scheme in 2019. More details will be announced in due course."

But what other buy back schemes exist and how can you use them to trade in your unwanted items for good?

1. H&M

H&M introduced its recycling scheme back in 2013, and so far, says it’s collected more than 17,771 tonnes of textiles — the equivalent of 89 million t-shirts.

The retailer has collection points in their stores worldwide for customers to drop bags of clothes in, regardless of their condition. For every bag you donate (H&M or not), you’ll receive a £5 voucher for your next £30 shop.

Interestingly, the H&M group also includes Monki and & Other Stories, which means you can recycle at these stores too.

At Monki, you can drop off your old garments and home textiles – even old towels and sheets – by the cash desk, and get rewarded with a sweet voucher. At & Other Stories it’s slightly different. Customers can recycle beauty products instead such as an empty lip stick for a 10% off your next purchase voucher.

2. Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer has joined forced with Oxfam to allow customers to recycle clothes they no longer wear.

Donate an item of M&S labelled clothing or soft furnishings to the charity shop, and you’ll receive a voucher for £5 off when you spend £35 in participating M&S stores.

Since the partnership began in 2008, over 28 million garments have been donated in M&S and Oxfam shops, worth an estimated £19 million.

3. Zara

Zara won’t pay for your unwanted clothing but it will collect it and donate the items to non-profit organisations. In some cases they’ll be recycled or transformed into new fabrics for charities to use.

The clothes don’t have to be from Zara and you can also donate footwear, household linens, and even jewellery. The condition does not have to be wearable, either. You can read all about the scheme and find out how it works, here.

4. Intimissimi

Calzedonia Group, which owns Intimissimi also offers a scheme that gives new life to unwanted clothing.

Pop into your local store and put your unwanted clothes, of any brand, in the I:CO container for a voucher.

For every 5 items deposited, you will receive a voucher of £10.00 to use when you spend £50 in stores.

5. MAC

Return any six MAC containers to a store counter or online, and you’ll receive a free MAC lipstick of your choice as a thank you.

6. Lush

If you return five clean, used Lush black pots to a high street store, you’ll get a free, fresh face mask in return.

It’s part of its Black Pot recycling scheme and instead of going to waste, means the pots will go back to the factory where they’ll be washed and dried, then melted down to create fresh new pots for future products.

7. Kiehl’s

Return any empty Kiehl’s full size product to any Kiehl’s standalone store in the UK, and collect 1 stamp on a loyalty card. When you’ve got 10 stamps, you’ll receive one free travel-sized product worth up to £9.50.

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