Here you can deliver used and get a discount again

Earlier this year, the chain giants launched IKEA and H&M schemes that allow you to return old items and then get a discount on new ones.

The goal is mainly to become more circular – both financially and in terms of consumption. Several stores have thrown themselves into the trend, and now you can pawn everything from clothes and furniture, to electronics, car tires and empty containers.

See the list of dealers further down in the article.

Consumption is increasing

Ingun Grimstad Klepp is a consumer researcher at SIFO and Oslo Met. Earlier this year, she published one report through SIFO on Norwegians’ consumption of clothing. The report shows that we acquire an average of 23.5 garments each year, of which less than one of these garments is purchased second-hand.

Klepp emphasizes that there is currently a lot you do not know when it comes to the effect of the mortgage schemes. Nevertheless, it turns out that many clothing chains that accept used textiles have agreements with fundraising campaigns such as Fretex and UFF.

– Most of the goods delivered are of such low value that they can not be resold in Norway. Then they are exported for sorting and sale in a market that is about to be saturated. The textiles must therefore be sorted and moved several times. The additional sales in the stores are increasing, but the benefit for the environment is lower than if the customer had delivered the goods directly to the collector, says Klepp.

She adds that the shops that handle and repair the goods themselves, and sell them again, will make a positive contribution to the environment. When you deliver damaged goods, the store gets knowledge about how the goods have been worn and how they can be improved.

In addition, deposit schemes in the clothing industry can be directly financially beneficial for the stores. First, the entire store chain appears greener, something consumers most often like. Second, stores can increase their own sales by allowing customers to shop more when they receive discounts.

– What we can say for sure is that the purchase of new clothes rarely happens because the wardrobe is empty. The enormous consumption of clothes is affected by inspiration and advertising, but the most important thing we can do to reduce the environmental impact is to buy fewer clothes, says Klepp.

– Now it is simply more accepted to give away used gifts

Pawn more than just clothes

Morten Portaas is store manager for Jernia in Bispevika in Oslo. For several years, the hardware store chain has had local return stations for harmful waste, but last year the chain started with deposit schemes for glass, ceramics, pots, knives and frying pans.

– There are very many who use the mortgage offer in the store. People want to exchange everything, and we strongly urge you not to throw used items in residual waste. Give it to us instead, says Portaas.

Basically, Jernia offers discounts on products related to the raw material you deliver. Portaas nevertheless emphasizes that the store wants to make it as easy as possible for most people to recycle. Therefore, you can also get a discount on other types of goods.

Jernia has an agreement with Norsk Gjenvinning for most of the raw materials sold in the store. Light bulbs, batteries, aluminum and steel are recycled, while other goods are repaired and resold. As a measure to become more circular, the chain also offers sharpening of knives and rental of machines. During the corona situation, Jernia offers home delivery in the Oslo area, where you can deliver used equipment when you receive new goods.

These stores have deposit schemes

Here is a selection of chain stores that give you a discount on new items if you deliver old ones.

Clothes and textiles

• H&M: You get a discount coupon you can use in store or online for each bag you deliver.
• Lindex: You get a 50 kroner discount on a new garment for each bag you deliver.
• Weekday: You get a 10 percent discount on the next purchase for each bag you deliver.
• Monki: You get a 10 percent discount on the next purchase for each bag you deliver.
• Kappahl: You get a value check of 50 kroner per bag you deliver, which you can use the next time you buy new clothes for over 300 kroner.
• Stormberg: This deposit scheme gives you discounts depending on how much you deposit.
• Bergans: Mortgage in store or send in by post, and receive a discount code online.

Electronics and appliances

• Electricity purchases: Accepts all used electronics and white goods. If the products are in good condition, you get paid and the item can be resold at Elkjøp Outlet.
• Telia: Deliver your used mobile phone in store, and get back money corresponding to the value of the mobile.
• GameStop. Accepts old games and consoles. You get a gift card or cash back, and how much you get depends on what you hand in.
• Eplehuset: Submit a used device from Apple, and get a discount on the price of a new one.

All stores that sell something that runs on electricity or batteries are obliged to have a system for return, environmental remediation and recycling. However, not everyone offers mortgage schemes. Power has also normally seen arrangements for mobile mortgages, but due to COVID-19, the service is not available until further notice.

Other

• Jewelry: The goldsmith chain Thune buys gold and silver jewelry that you no longer use.
• Studded tires: In some municipalities you can receive cash for mortgaging studded tires. This currently applies to Tromsø, Bergen and Trondheim municipalities.
• Jernia: Exchange scheme for glass, porcelain, ceramics, frying pans, pots and knives. You get a 20 percent discount on a new item.
• Sex toys: The condominium accepts toys in stores or by post, and you get a 20 percent discount on a new item.
• Books: Bookis.no offers a book deposit, where you get paid to recycle used books.
• Furniture: IKEA buys back your used furniture and resells them.
• Ink cartridges: Clas Ohlson accepts empty ink cartridges and toner cartridges. You get back 10 kroner per cartridge and 20 kroner per cartridge.

–