Fast-fashion chain Primark expands sustainable cotton programme

LONDON (Reuters) – Primark, one in every of Europe’s greatest quick trend chains, has pledged to coach a further 125,000 smallholder cotton farmers in additional sustainable farming strategies in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh by the top of 2023.

The group’s sustainable cotton programme trains farmers on utilizing fewer chemical pesticides and fertilisers and fewer water, thereby preserving the biodiversity and serving to to mitigate towards local weather change. It additionally lowers enter prices and improves yields and earnings for the farmer, the group says.

Primark, owned by London-listed Related British Meals, stated on Friday the dedication would take the whole variety of farmers within the programme to over 275,000 by the top of subsequent 12 months.

Final September, Primark vowed to chop its environmental influence by utilizing extra recyclable supplies, making clothes extra sturdy, and bettering wages for employees.

It pledged that 100% of the cotton in its garments can be sourced from its sustainable cotton programme, natural or recycled by 2027. It additionally dedicated to make all its merchandise from recycled fibres or extra sustainably sourced supplies by 2030.

Presently, nearly 40% of Primark clothes is produced from recycled fibres or extra sustainably sourced supplies.

With environmental campaigners singling out the style trade for its heavy use of water and chemical compounds, main manufacturers are coming beneath stress to adapt provide chains and handle a tradition that has led to tens of millions of things ending up in landfill.

Many environmental campaigners are sceptical about inexperienced pledges from manufacturers, believing they’re pushed by a necessity for good PR and that the trade requires a wider tradition change as a substitute. Primark says its sheer measurement means it may make a distinction.

Final month Primark stated it could increase some costs because it battles inflationary pressures.

(Reporting by James Davey; Modifying by Mark Potter)