Is this the best news of 2012? As of next February, H&M will be handing over free vouchers to customers who bring in bags of old clothes.

The ground-breaking recycling initiative, which will launch in selected stores, means that every time you drop off a bag of unwanted clothes – from any brand – you'll receive a £5 H&M voucher, which can be redeemed on any future transactions of over £30, the Telegraph reports.

From there, the store’s eco-partner iCollect will sort the clothes with the intention of turning them into new fibres for new clothes.

H&M has long been committed to finding eco-friendly methods of creating fast-fashion, and celebrated being the world’s largest user of organic cotton last year.

Good news for the planet, obviously; is it selfish to be pleased it's good news for us, too?

ELLE wears Margiela for H&M