Online giant has launched a new scheme in partnership with third-sector organisations.

Third-party sellers on Amazon will be able to donate excess and returned items to charities thanks to a new scheme from the online retail giant.

The Fulfillment by Amazon Donations initiative will be launched this September across the UK in partnership with charities such as Barnardo’s, Newlife and the Salvation Army.

Under the scheme, sellers that store their products in Amazon’s warehouses will be able to donate any items that fail to sell or are returned.

In a blog, Amazon said FBA builds on the company’s “long history” of donating millions of items to charities each year.

Alice Shobe, director of Amazon in the Community, said: ““We know getting products into the hands of those who need them transforms lives and strengthens local communities.

“We are delighted to extend this program to sellers who use our fulfillment services.”

Amazon has also launched the programme in the USA in partnership with Good360, a Virginia-based charity which distributes donations to a range of third sector organisations.