Primark reveals that 45% of its clothes now contain recycled or sustainably sourced materials
Primark has revealed that some 45% of its clothes are now sold under its Primark Cares label which means they contain recycled or more sustainably sourced materials.
In its first Sustainability and Ethics Progress Report, the retailer said this figure is up 25% compared to when the strategy was launched in September last year. It has also committed to move 100% of its clothes to the label by 2030.
Primark Cares director Lynne Walker said: “One year ago, we made a new promise to change the way we make and source our clothes, with a commitment to think differently about how we do business. To provide focus, we set deliberately stretching targets reaching to 2030.
“We’ve spent the last year investing in and growing our expert teams, collaborating in new ways within our own business and also with suppliers and partners to support our transformation. It’s felt challenging at times and we know we’re only getting started but one year in, we’re more committed than ever to make more sustainable fashion affordable for all.”
Primark also said that 252,800 farmers have now been trained in the Primark Sustainable Cotton Programme and that it is on track to increase this to 275,000 by the end of 2023.
In addition, it now has 61 people working in the areas of sustainability and ethics in its head office, and more than 130 team members in its ethical trade and environmental sustainability team.
The retailer is also developing a renewable energy roadmap with partner RenEnergy and recruiting carbon leads in Bangladesh, India and China to support suppliers in reducing their emissions.
