Primark

A medium proportion (55%) of Primark's products are made with lower impact fibers, including recycled cotton and organic cotton. The brand also makes items with fiber certifications including GRS, GOTS, and RCS. However, it does still use high impact fibers, including polyester, acryclic, and elastane. It plans to reduce its reliance on high impact fibers with the goal all our clothes will be made from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials by 2030, and it has reported on progress towards these goals within the last year.

Primark provides some nonspecific information on its renewable energy use, focusing on its transition to renewable electricity contracts. It has energy efficiency initiatives for retail locations, but there is no evidence of similar efforts in its supply chain. Primark sources and manufactures its materials globally, which is standard practice in the fashion industry.

Primark has made some efforts to reduce the amount of virgin plastic in its packaging. Its eco-friendly packaging materials include FSC-certified materials. Primark is working to reduce the impact of shipping and packaging emissions by only offering in-store pickup and not shipping direct to customers.

Primark has a repair program and offers in-store repair workshops. It provides detailed care instructions and repair guides to extend garment lifespan. Primark does not offer a warranty.

Primark has a take back program that accepts any brand's clothing, shoes, or bedding for downcycling, recycling, or resale. Primark does not share details on the efficacy or impact of this program. We require larger brands to share this information.

Primark is a fast fashion brand. It has frequent new releases and limited editions.

Commons is still evaluating Primark's marketing emails.

Primark has a sustainability page with information about materials, emissions reduction, production waste, and labor practices. However, this page is not prominently displayed, making it harder for customers to find. Primark also has a detailed annual report, with a clear, impact driven strategy and progress reporting. Its latest annual report is from 2023.

Primark internally measures and public reports its company-level emissions, including a breakdown by scope. Its 2023 estimated emissions footprint was 7,115,832 tCO2e.

Primark has SBTi-approved emissions reduction targets for the meium-term and has shared progress on these goals in the last year. They are on track for some of these goals. Commons could not find verification that it offsets any emissions.

Primark publishes the names and locations of its supply chain partners (Tiers 1-4). It has a supplier code of conduct, which includes provisions audits of partners, living wage, and allowing collective bargaining.