UPPAREL x icebreaker

March 2023 | icebreaker

We’ve partnered with UPPAREL so you can easily repurpose your pre-loved clothes. Visit one of our Touch Labs to deposit your clothing and receive a $10 store credit.*

icebreaker has partnered with UPPAREL to change the game and give new life to old clothing. UPPAREL reduces the number of textiles that end up in landfill by reusing or re-purposing pre-loved clothing. At icebreaker, we’re here to create a better world for people and nature. As a brand, we’re focused on removing unnecessary plastic from apparel at the outset, but it’s important to recognise existing product lifecycles and what happens at the end of their life. By partnering with UPPAREL we build on our move to natural, enable a conscious solution for clothing at the end of its life, and offer consumers to try natural.

Want to give your old clothing new life?

To get involved, drop off your preloved clothing to an icebreaker Touch Lab store. We accept all clean and washed used clothing excluding socks and underwear. It can be any brand or condition. Coming online soon!

How does it work?

Once UPPAREL receives your textiles the items go through a sorting process which is broken down into two categories.
● Reuse - All items that are in wearable condition are passed onto charitable organisations to ensure they are available for those who need them most.
● Repurpose - Any items that can't be re-used or gifted are sorted by type of material and colour and then shredded and spun with new fibres for mattresses, pet beds, home insulation... the list goes on.

Who is UPPAREL?

UPPAREL is an organisation that reduces the number of textiles that end up in landfill by reusing or repurposing pre-loved clothing. Once UPPAREL receives your textiles the items go through a sorting process which is broken down into two categories. All items that are in wearable condition are passed onto charitable organisations to ensure they are available for those who need them most. Any items that can't be reused or gifted are sorted by type of material, hardware removed for repurposing and then the fabric is recycled and repuroposed. The most common process is where textiles are shredded and spun with new fibres for cushioning, pet beds, home insulation... the list goes on.

Why is icebreaker partnering with UPPAREL?

icebreaker has partnered with UPPAREL to change the game and give new life to old clothing. At icebreaker, we’re here to create a better world for people and nature. As a brand, we’re focused on removing unnecessary plastic from apparel at the outset, but we acknowledge it’s important to consider the full life cycle of our clothing. We need to do better, and consumers are demanding and asking about what they can do with products at the end of their life. By partnering with UPPAREL we build on our move to natural, enable a conscious solution for clothing at the end of its life, and offer consumers to try natural.

What type of clothing do you accept?

We accept all clean, non-contaminated clothing except socks and underwear for hygiene reasons. Clothing must be washed and cleaned. It can be any brand, material or condition.

What will happen to my pre-loved clothing?

Once UPPAREL receives your textiles the items go through a sorting process which is broken down into two categories. All items that are in wearable condition are passed onto charitable organisations to ensure they are available for those who need them most. Any items that can't be reused or gifted are sorted by type of material, hardware is removed for repurposing and then the fabric is recycled and repurposed. The most common process is where textiles are shredded and spun with new fibres for cushioning, pet beds, home insulation... the list goes on.

What charitable organisations does UPPAREL donate clothing for reuse to?

In Australia, UPPAREL partners with countless trusted Australian charities including both nationwide social enterprises as well as grassroots organisations. These partners include Save The Children Australia, RSPCA, Red Cross, We Are Mobilise, Djirra, Youth Projects, Big Group Hug, and many more! To ensure these organisations are not overwhelmed with donations, UPPAREL has an open-door return policy. This means that any items that are no longer needed can be returned to our facility free of charge for further distribution or recycling. In New Zealand, UPPAREL predominantly partners with the wonderful people at All Heart NZ (unless a brand specifically specifies a different charity they would like to donate to). All Heart NZ Charitable Trust exists to support communities in need throughout Aotearoa and globally. They utilise 100% of funds raised and goods received to create employment, implement sustainability practices and improve the lives of people in need. Their priority areas are; the relief of poverty, furthering education, creating employment and giving hope and dignity.

Where can I drop my clothing off?

You can bring your preloved clothing into an icebreaker Touch Lab store. We accept all clean and washed used clothing excluding socks and underwear.
Participating Touch Lab stores in New Zealand: Ponsonby, Newmarket, Commercial Bay, Auckland Airport, Napier, Wellington Airport, Queenstown. In Australia: Warringah. Find store locations here.

What are the terms and conditions of the voucher?

Terms & Conditions: This voucher is worth $10. The discount voucher code is valid in icebreaker stores and on www.icebreaker.com/en-nz & www.icebreaker.com/en-au and can be used only once in one transaction. No minimum spend is required. UPPAREL vouchers will only be issued once every 30 days with your UPPAREL donation and is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. This offer cannot be combined with other UPPAREL vouchers. This offer is subject to stock availability. icebreaker reserves the right to change or cancel this offer at any time. This card cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Not redeemable for cash.