Primark’s third annual Sustainability and Ethics Progress Report has revealed that over the previous 12 months, two-thirds (66 per cent) of garments bought had been made out of recycled or extra sustainably sourced supplies. The corporate has additionally made progress in tackling textile waste by introducing extra garments which can be recyclable on the finish of life, showcasing how it’s embedding sustainability commitments and delivering actual impression.
This 12 months, the worldwide trend retailer has targeted on scaling the amount of its garments which can be round by design in classes akin to denim and jersey and continued to embed its product tips on circularity by coaching colleagues and suppliers. 3 per cent of garments bought in Primark over the previous 12 months had been round by design, which means they met the standards set out in Primark’s Round Product Customary, together with gadgets within the Rita Ora and Disney’s The Lion King ranges.
Difficult the notion that longer-lasting garments value extra, Primark has additionally launched its Sturdiness Framework this 12 months. Regardless of the EU’s deal with product sturdiness, together with the upper value of dwelling and the impression of textile waste on the surroundings, there’s at present no agreed business or authorized normal for bodily sturdiness. Backed by analysis from environmental charity Hubbub and the College of Leeds (UOL) Faculty of Design, Primark’s Sturdiness Framework is designed to set the bar for a way trend retailers can assist customers get extra out of their garments.
Primark’s third annual Sustainability and Ethics Report exhibits that 66 per cent of its garments bought prior to now 12 months had been made out of recycled or sustainably sourced supplies.
The Irish retailer has additionally launched a Sturdiness Framework, aiming to make longer-lasting garments inexpensive.
Primark diminished carbon emissions by 21 per cent in 2024.
Reducing carbon emissions throughout its worth chain over the past 12 months is a key achievement for Primark, having set out an ambition to halve carbon emissions throughout its worth chain by 2030. Primark’s Scope 1 and a couple of (market-based) emissions diminished by 21 per cent in 2024, in comparison with 2023, and had been 52 per cent decrease than the 2019 baseline. This discount was achieved via power effectivity measures in its shops and the procurement of renewable and low-carbon electrical energy. Primark achieved a 1.9 per cent discount in complete carbon emissions throughout its worth chain since its 2019 baseline 12 months and an 11.6 per cent lower since final 12 months. The retailer expects this discount to fluctuate within the short-term as the corporate expands.
As cotton is probably the most used fibre in Primark clothes, evolving the Primark Cotton Challenge (previously the Primark Sustainable Cotton Programme) and coaching cotton farmers on extra regenerative agricultural practices is an ongoing focus. Roughly 3,000 farmers have accomplished a pilot undertaking throughout India, Bangladesh and Pakistan this 12 months. They had been skilled in find out how to use organic options to chemical pesticides and find out how to introduce cowl crops that defend soil and create new income streams. Primark has developed a roadmap to 2030 to drive additional uptake of regenerative agriculture throughout the Primark Cotton Challenge.
“Our sustainability commitments belong to all of us at Primark and we’re starting to see real impact. The progress we’ve made in the three years since we launched our Primark Cares strategy has given us the confidence to be proud of the work we are doing. As a brand for everyone, we know we have a huge responsibility to use our scale for good. Taking the lead on durability across the industry and proving that more sustainable and longer-lasting clothing doesn’t have to cost more, has been a significant achievement for us. Continuing to learn as we gather insights and data from across the Primark business and forging meaningful collaboration across the industry will be critical to achieving our 2030 ambitions,” commenting on the most recent impression knowledge,Lynne Walker, director of Primark Cares, stated.