Duo secures major sustainable packaging contract with Oxfam Ireland

Oxfam Ireland has appointed packaging manufacturer, consultant and distributor, Duo UK to develop a sustainable mailing bag solution, as part of a major new initiative to encourage more people to donate.

The donation bag will be available free of charge to anyone wishing to donate clothing to the charity via An Post – Ireland’s national post service. The aim is to make the donation of goods more accessible and convenient for people, while helping to extend the life of clothing and reduce consumption. The initiative is the first of its kind in the charity sector in Ireland and forms part of Oxfam Ireland’s ambition to promote the concept of circularity more widely. 

As part of the collaboration, Duo has created a brand led donation bag with several key features that support the organisation’s sustainability objectives. The mailing bag has been designed using bio based, renewable material and recycled polythene.

The bag also features instructions on the donation process and QR code which takes them directly to An Post ready to post. The first consignment was introduced into circulation on Monday, 31 March. 

Mark Sweeney, donated goods strategy manager at Oxfam Ireland, said: ‘In Ireland, there is a real accessibility issue when it comes to donating to charity, with a significant proportion of people living in areas where there are currently no charity shops.

‘The aim of this initiative is to enable everyone to donate, regardless of where they live – all they need to do is order a donation bag online for free. This will then be delivered and collected by An Post, meaning people can donate pre-loved goods without even having to leave their homes.’

Oxfam Ireland, which is one of 21 Oxfam’s working together in 79 countries around the world, has four priority goals, including accountable governance and climate justice. 

Mark commented, ‘It was essential to find a closed loop solution that allowed us to reach a wider number of people without compromising the organisation’s long term sustainability commitments. We wanted to find the right partner and in Duo we have done just that. From the beginning, the process has been seamless. Duo has lived up to its reputation as a business that doesn’t just produce packaging, but one that does it in an extremely sustainable way.’

Duo’s brand director, Zoe Brimelow, added: ‘Duo was first introduced to Oxfam Ireland through our work with Thrift+. Having been impressed with the quality and credentials of the brand’s mailing bag, the charity was keen to produce something in the same vein. Oxfam Ireland has an unwavering commitment to circularity and together we have produced a packaging solution that is both recyclable and reusable and is firmly in line with the charity’s overall environmental goals. 

‘We are delighted to be playing a part in such an important initiative – one that brings charitable donations right to the doorstep of hundreds of thousands of people in a truly sustainable way.’