Happy Earth Month

It is estimated that UK households throw away a staggering 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging every year.

At Sign of the Times, circular fashion and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. So, in honour of Earth Month, we are taking a small step towards sustainable packaging by wrapping our online orders with recycled newspapers.

How can I take part in Earth Month & Earn Store Credit?

From the 1st - 30th April, you can receive £2 credit to spend on secondhand designer items at Sign of the Times for every newspaper you drop off at our Chelsea store.The maximum amount of newspapers you can bring in over the course of the month is 30 for a total of £60 credit.

Additionally, if you place an order with us or make a purchase in-store between the 1st - 30th April, you can receive a £20 voucher to spend with us if you share a picture of your item wrapped in its recycled newspaper on instagram. You have to tag us in your picture / video (@sign_ofthetimes) and be following our instagram or tiktok to be eligible for the £20 voucher.

All the credit accumulated over the month of April will be available to use either on our second hand designer online shop or at our preloved luxury in-store in Chelsea, London from the 5th May. Your credit will be available to spend on any of your secondhand Sign of the Times finds, from current season to vintage designer bags, clothes, shoes & accessories. Start saving the planet & sustainably shopping for your wardrobe Today.

For any questions, see the FAQ's below, or contact us via WhatsApp here.

FAQ's

Why are you doing this?

At Sign of the Times, we have built our business on the circular fashion economy and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. In honour of Earth Month, we are taking a small step towards sustainable packaging by wrapping our online orders with recycled newspapers. Read more about our commitment to sustainability here.

Is there a limit on how much store credit I can receive from recycling my newspapers?

From the 1st - 30th April, you can receive £2 credit to spend at Sign of the Times for every newspaper you drop off at our Chelsea store.The maximum amount of newspapers you can bring in over the course of the month is 30 for a total of £60 credit. All the credit accumulated over the month of April will be available to use either online or in-store from the 5th May.

How can I receive an additional £20 voucher to spend at Sign of the Times?

If you place an order with us or make a purchase in-store between the 1st - 30th April, you can receive a £20 voucher to spend with us if you share a picture of your item wrapped in its earth day packaging on instagram. You have to tag us in your picture (@sign_ofthetimes) and be following our instagram to be eligible for the £20 voucher. This is only for purchases made from 1st April to 30th April. The £20 voucher will be available to use either online or in-store from the 5th May.

Will the credit only be eligible to use in store?

Credit will be available to use in store and online for 30 days starting the 5th May.

When will I receive the credit?

On the 5th May.

Where will I be notified once I have access to the credit?

You will receive an email containing access to your credit via email on the 5th May.

Is there a limit to how many newspapers I can exchange for store credit?

The maximum number of newspapers you can bring to the store is 30 for a total of £60 credit to spend with us online or in-store.

Are there any specific newspapers you won’t take?

All publications will be accepted. However, there is a limit of one publication, meaning you can only bring in one newspaper from a singular publication (i.e. The Financial Times) per day, whilst you can bring in multiple newspapers per day if each one is from a different publication (i.e. The Financial Times, The Sun, The Guardian).

My old newspapers are ripped and / or wrinkled. Do you accept newspapers that aren’t in good condition?

In the spirit of encouraging everyone to recycle during earth month, we will only accept previously read and used newspapers. However, newspapers must be in viable condition to package items.

Where should I drop off my newspaper(s)?

At our Chelsea store, located on 5 Elystan Street, London, SW3 3NT. (Metered parking outside. Closest tube station: Sloane Square & South Kensington).

Can I recycle my newspapers remotely?

In the spirit of sustainability and minimizing our collective carbon foot-print, you have to be based in London or have the capacity to visit our store in-person during the month of April to drop off your newspapers in exchange for credit. However, if you are posting a parcel to store or have arranged a home collection of items that you are selling with us during the month of April, you can include your newspapers in the delivery.

If you live abroad, it is still possible to partake in our Earth Month promotions if you order an item from our online shop between the 1st - 30th April. Simply post a picture of the item you have ordered wrapped in its earth day packaging on instagram and tag us (@sign_ofthetimes) to receive a £20 voucher to spend with us online.

Between what hours can I drop off my newspaper(s)?

During store opening hours: 10am - 6pm (Mon - Sat); 12pm - 5pm (Sun).

Can I drop off my newspaper(s) on the weekend?

Yes, our store is open on the weekend during the following hours: 10am - 6pm (Sat); 12pm - 5pm (Sun)

How long will this promotion run for?

We will be offering store credit in exchange for your recycled newspapers and if you tag us in a picture of your Sign of the Times purchase in its newspaper packaging from the 1st - 30th April. The last day to partake for a chance to receive store credit is on the 30th April.

How long will the store credit be available to use?

30 days from the 5th of May.

Will the credit be eligible for all items, or only select items?

The credit will be available to use for all items online or in-store.

If I purchase an item with store credit, is it still available for returns?

Yes. You will be refunded with store credit.

What if the newspaper ink damages the items?

Don't worry, the newspaper ink shouldn’t ruin your items! We've tested it on all sorts of products to ensure your pieces will be perfectly safe. However, we are taking precautions to ensure this won’t happen by wrapping all items with a layer of tissue paper to prevent them from coming into direct contact with the newspaper.

Will you be wrapping everything in newspaper, including high value items such as handbags and jewellery?

Yes, we will wrap all items in recycled newspapers for the month of April. Please note that high value items tend to come with their original packaging, a box or dust bag. Items that do not will be wrapped with a layer of tissue paper so that the item doesn’t come into direct contact with the newspaper.

I am concerned that the ink will ruin my item(s). Can I request to not have one of my orders wrapped in a newspaper?

All items will be wrapped with a layer of tissue paper to prevent them from coming into direct contact with the newspaper. If you prefer not to have recycled newspapers in your package, contact us via WhatsApp here to let us know before we post it to you (you must get in contact with us ASAP after your order is placed so we can let our operations team know before they package your order).

Why did you wrap my order in a newspaper with an unpleasant cover story on it?

We're sorry if your packaging has some bad news on it... we wanted to reuse all of it.