Back IN BED 2021-22

An Update & the Future of Back IN BED

BACK IN BED YEAR ONE

Our first year of Back IN BED was about doing and learning along the way.

Whilst we did have a plan and partnerships in place, we considered the most important thing was to start reclaiming unwanted products even if we were not 100% certain what the end game was. Sometimes it’s important to start, to be able to learn, and to get a 360 view of how things work and what happens as part of the process.

From going through this process and starting Back IN BED we’ve seen that the majority of product we are receiving back is from our bedding range and is generally very well loved and worn. This is great because it means our customers are using their products and not buying unnecessarily or buying and not utilising a product. Unlike fashion take-back programs where garments are often only used a handful of times, our linens have generally seen years of use (and often 365 days of each year - only coming off to be washed and dried before being put back on the bed) and fabrics are very well worn so resale is not a suitable path for Back IN BED.

For our first year we diverted 160kg of textiles no longer in use from landfill - this equates to approximately 230 products.

From surveying customers at the end of 2021 we discovered only 20% knew about our take back program. So communicating more effectively and continuously is a key learning for us and one of our goals for year two of Back IN BED.

BACK IN BED YEAR ONE

Our first year of Back IN BED was about doing and learning along the way.

Whilst we did have a plan and partnerships in place, we considered the most important thing was to start reclaiming unwanted products even if we were not 100% certain what the end game was. Sometimes it’s important to start, to be able to learn, and to get a 360 view of how things work and what happens as part of the process.

From going through this process and starting Back IN BED we’ve seen that the majority of product we are receiving back is from our bedding range and is generally very well loved and worn. This is great because it means our customers are using their products and not buying unnecessarily or buying and not utilising a product. Unlike fashion take-back programs where garments are often only used a handful of times, our linens have generally seen years of use (and often 365 days of each year - only coming off to be washed and dried before being put back on the bed) and fabrics are very well worn so resale is not a suitable path for Back IN BED.

For our first year we diverted 160kg of textiles no longer in use from landfill - this equates to approximately 230 products.

From surveying customers at the end of 2021 we discovered only 20% knew about our take back program. So communicating more effectively and continuously is a key learning for us and one of our goals for year two of Back IN BED.

GOALS: BACK IN BED (AND OUR CIRCULARITY PROGRAM IN GENERAL)

  • Reduce: By extending the life of our products and keeping goods in use for as long as possible. Along with striving to produce a quality product made to last, we will help encourage and facilitate this with our product care, repair and mending programs which we are currently expanding and developing, due for release late 2022.

  • Reuse: Although currently resale is not feasible, we look to find other uses for our returned product. An example of this is our ongoing partnership with the RSPCA who reuse our returned towels and blankets.

  • Repurpose: Where reuse is not possible, we aim to repurpose with our Back IN BED: Projects. Back IN BED: Projects is an initiative where we make use of functional parts of returned goods (e.g. if a duvet is stained on one side, we may be able to use the other side to create a new product). View our first Back IN BED: Project launched earlier this year.

  • Recycle: If reuse and repurposing is not possible we recycle. Currently this means sending degraded products and fabrics to be recycled into new yarn with our partners, Textile Recyclers Australia (TRA).

    • GOALS: BACK IN BED (AND OUR CIRCULARITY PROGRAM IN GENERAL)

  • Reduce: By extending the life of our products and keeping goods in use for as long as possible. Along with striving to produce a quality product made to last, we will help encourage and facilitate this with our product care, repair and mending programs which we are currently expanding and developing, due for release late 2022.

  • Reuse: Although currently resale is not feasible, we look to find other uses for our returned product. An example of this is our ongoing partnership with the RSPCA who reuse our returned towels and blankets.

  • Repurpose: Where reuse is not possible, we aim to repurpose with our Back IN BED: Projects. Back IN BED: Projects is an initiative where we make use of functional parts of returned goods (e.g. if a duvet is stained on one side, we may be able to use the other side to create a new product). View our first Back IN BED: Project launched earlier this year.

  • Recycle: If reuse and repurposing is not possible we recycle. Currently this means sending degraded products and fabrics to be recycled into new yarn with our partners, Textile Recyclers Australia (TRA).

    • TARGETS FOR 2023

    For the remainder of 2022 and into 2023, we have set ourselves the following goals for Back IN BED and product circularity in general:

  • We are expanding Back IN BED to include comprehensive repair and mending guides along with an in-house repair program.
    This will include:
    → Best practice care guides for all IN BED fabrications and products.
    → Guides on how to repair and prolong the lifespan of IN BED and other textiles.
    → An in-house repair program where IN BED can coordinate mending for more difficult repair jobs and for older products showing wear and tear (this requires customers to live locally to our stores or to be able to send back product at their own cost).
    → Heirloom Repairs - using embroidery, contrast patches and other character building repairs to mend as requested. Adding character and charm to your beautiful IN BED pieces as well as giving them a prolonged life.
    → Spare Parts Shop - complimentary buttons, ties, zips, patches for customers who have purchased directly with us at any time.

  • Back IN BED: Project #2: Our second project is in development and will launch in 2023.

  • Communicating more effectively with customers who have purchased from us. We will commit to checking in with our customers every 6 months to see how their product is going and to identify if they need help with mending, repairs or care; or if they are no longer using a product and would like to send it back to us for reuse or recycling. Our goal here is to help our customer extend the life of their IN BED products or help facilitate a return for Back IN BED so that we are keeping products in use or closing the loop on as many products as we possibly can.

    • TARGETS FOR 2023

    For the remainder of 2022 and into 2023, we have set ourselves the following goals for Back IN BED and product circularity in general:

  • We are expanding Back IN BED to include comprehensive repair and mending guides along with an in-house repair program.
    This will include:
    → Best practice care guides for all IN BED fabrications and products.
    → Guides on how to repair and prolong the lifespan of IN BED and other textiles.
    → An in-house repair program where IN BED can coordinate mending for more difficult repair jobs and for older products showing wear and tear (this requires customers to live locally to our stores or to be able to send back product at their own cost).
    → Heirloom Repairs - using embroidery, contrast patches and other character building repairs to mend as requested. Adding character and charm to your beautiful IN BED pieces as well as giving them a prolonged life.
    → Spare Parts Shop - complimentary buttons, ties, zips, patches for customers who have purchased directly with us at any time.

  • Back IN BED: Project #2: Our second project is in development and will launch in 2023.

  • Communicating more effectively with customers who have purchased from us. We will commit to checking in with our customers every 6 months to see how their product is going and to identify if they need help with mending, repairs or care; or if they are no longer using a product and would like to send it back to us for reuse or recycling. Our goal here is to help our customer extend the life of their IN BED products or help facilitate a return for Back IN BED so that we are keeping products in use or closing the loop on as many products as we possibly can.

    • THE FUTURE: BACK IN BED

    As we expand and raise more awareness around Back IN BED and continually encourage customers to utilise the program, the style of service and quality of returned product may need to expand and change. We are continuing to learn and pivot our program for the best possible outcome for the environment and community.

    We are expanding our program to include extensive product care guides to help customers ensure the longest possible life for their products and simple how-to guides for mending and repairs in case of snags or small, easily mended problems. These will be updated and launched late 2022.

    We are also excited to introduce the IN BED Promise. We stand by our product and are proud to offer a two year guarantee on all full price IN BED branded items from purchase date.

    This is our promise and commitment that IN BED products are made with quality materials and when cared for correctly are designed and manufactured to last.

    THE FUTURE: BACK IN BED

    As we expand and raise more awareness around Back IN BED and continually encourage customers to utilise the program, the style of service and quality of returned product may need to expand and change. We are continuing to learn and pivot our program for the best possible outcome for the environment and community.

    We are expanding our program to include extensive product care guides to help customers ensure the longest possible life for their products and simple how-to guides for mending and repairs in case of snags or small, easily mended problems. These will be updated and launched late 2022.

    We are also excited to introduce the IN BED Promise. We stand by our product and are proud to offer a two year guarantee on all full price IN BED branded items from purchase date.

    This is our promise and commitment that IN BED products are made with quality materials and when cared for correctly are designed and manufactured to last.

    We will continue to discover and learn as part of our Back IN BED journey and share with our customers and community. We also welcome feedback and suggestions you may have.