Primark has announced its plans to improve its sustainability by training 160,000 cotton farmers in India, Pakistan and China in environmentally friendly farming methods by 2022. This is part of the fashion retailer’s aim to be more sustainable, they aim to use 100% sustainable cotton in all its product categories.
Editorial credit: Vivitta / Shutterstock.com
Currently sustainable cotton is being used in their women’s pyjamas, a selection of denim, towels and bedding. It will soon be rolled out in the menswear and any T-shirts next.
The methods being taught to the farmers include efficient irrigation, planting in rows with trenches to maximise drainage, and introducing organic pesticides and fertilisers such as cow dung to reduce the use of chemical toxic options.
A spokesperson for Fashion Revolution, which campaigns for holistic change in the fashion industry, said: “We are happy to see Primark stepping up their efforts to source 100% sustainable cotton and, if successful, this should support hundreds of thousands more farmers, especially women, significantly improve their lives and that of their families.
“We would love to see more transparency throughout the whole process, not only on their commitments but on the process and progress along the way. Ideally, they would share the learning, both good and not so good, so that others can learn from it too. We would be hoping to see both qualitative and quantitative reporting and data on the progress and impact of their work.”
Alongside the sustainable cotton program Primark is currently trialling recycling units at its Birmingham flagship where customers can return clothes by the brand as well as other companies.
