According to Primark’s third Sustainability and Ethics Progress Report, 66% of clothes sold in its stores and online over the past 12 months were made from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials.
Primark stressed it has also progressed in its commitment to tackle textile waste through the introduction of more clothes that are recyclable at end-of-life. This year, the fashion retailer has focused on scaling the volume of its clothes that are circular by design in categories such as denim and jersey and continued to embed its product guidelines on circularity by training colleagues and suppliers.
However, only 3% of clothes sold in Primark over the past 12 months were circular by design, meaning they met the criteria set out in Primark’s Circular Product Standard, including items in the Rita Ora and Disney’s The Lion King ranges.
Read more: Primark launches Durability Framework to show affordable fashion can last
Furthermore, lowering carbon emissions across its value chain during the last 12 months has been a goal for Primark, having set out an ambition to halve carbon emissions across its value chain by 2030.
Primark’s Scope 1 and 2 (market-based) emissions reduced by 21% in 2024, compared to 2023, and were 52% lower than the 2019 baseline. This reduction was achieved through energy efficiency measures in its stores and the procurement of renewable and low-carbon electricity.
Primark achieved a 1.9% reduction in total carbon emissions across its value chain since its 2019 baseline year and an 11.6% decrease since last year. The retailer expects this reduction to fluctuate in the short-term as the company expands.
As cotton is the most used fibre in Primark clothing, evolving the Primark Cotton Project and training cotton farmers on more regenerative agricultural practices is an ongoing focus. Approximately 3,000 farmers have completed a pilot project across India, Bangladesh and Pakistan this year. They were trained in how to use biological alternatives to chemical pesticides and how to introduce cover crops that protect soil and create new revenue streams. Primark has developed a roadmap to 2030 to drive further uptake of regenerative agriculture within the Primark Cotton Project.
Lynne Walker, director of Primark Cares, said: “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.”
Find out how a host of retailers are putting sustainability on their agenda in the RetailX Global Sustainability 2024 report.
Our analysis of sustainability in retail is illustrated with company profiles showcasing the five retailers using different methods in the market. Each profile assesses how they are achieving their green goals and highlights opportunities for other retailers. The report looks at: B&Q, Coachtopia, Currys, Holland & Barrett and This is Unfolded.
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