Christmas jumper rental service launched by Lidl in green push to end fast fashion and stop the tops ending on landfill by the new year

Workers planning to take part in this year's annual Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day appeal have been urged to rent their gansey rather than buying a new one. 

German low-cost retailer Lidl is offering people the chance to rent a Christmas jumper featuring the brand's iconic yellow on blue logo for as little as £2-a-day. 

Environmental charity Hubbub has criticised consumers who spend cash on a single-use Christmas jumper which will often end up on a landfill, instead of getting more creative. 

Since it begun in 2012, Save The Children's Christmas Jumper Day appeal has raised more than £35 million as workplaces, schools and venues take part in the annual event. 

Participants are asked to donate a minimum of £2 and wear their favourite Christmas jumper to spread joy and raise much needed funds for children facing adversity. 

The jumpers are available for £7.99, but the rental versions can be obtained through peer-to-peer fashion rental app By Rotation. 

People will be able to rent Lidl jumpers from the 2020 to 2023 collections, as well as three bespoke jumpers from Lydia Bolton. 

According to Eshita Kabra, founder and CEO of By Rotation: 'By Rotation is thrilled to partner with Lidl this festive season by adding Lidl’s Christmas jumpers to our shared wardrobe on the app. With Christmas being one of the top occasions of the year when the demand for purchasing single-wear outfits skyrockets, renting a festive jumper for your holiday season plans is a great way to leave a positive impact on the planet and also save money!' 

Slow Fashion Designer Lydia Bolton added: 'I’ve loved being a part of Lidl’s Christmas iconic jumper campaign. Designing and producing these jumpers inspired by Christmas icons from second-hand textiles has been super fun and creative, but knowing they are going to be rented and re-worn also supports my mission of valuing and reusing textiles.' 

The Lidl jumpers can be rented between November 23 and December 31 with all profits going to the NSPCC. 

Environmental charity Hubbub suggests people could consider creating their own festive garments by reusing an existing jumper and wrapping it in battery-powered fairy lights, or adorn it with Christmas decorations. 

According to Save the Children, £5m was raised by the 2022 Christmas Jumper Day appeal including £2m of matched funding from the British government. 

More than two million school children took part along with 24,000 workplaces. 335