Primark strengthens supply chain sustainability

High-street retailer Primark has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) - a group of clothing businesses committed to improving the environmental and ethical impacts of their supply chain.


As part of the commitment, Primark will use the SAC’s sustainability tool – the Higg Index – where members enter sustainability data into a series of online tools which then generate standardized performance scores that can be shared and benchmarked.

Primark joins 40 other brands as a member of the SAC, including Adidas, Nike, Burberry, Disney and Marks & Spencers.

Primark said in a statement: “This pledge builds on the robust processes Primark already has in place to support improvement within its supply chain.

“In line with SAC’s members, including global brands, retailers and manufacturers, as well as government, and non-profit environmental organisations, and academic institutions, Primark wants to help bring about systemic change across the industry, and improve supply chain sustainability in apparel and footwear industries.”

Progress

Back in 2010, Primark was heavily criticised by sustainability groups for promoting ‘fast fashion’ and a subsequent increase in the amount of clothes ending up in landfill – an phenomenon labelled ‘the Primark Effect’.

However, earlier this year Primark was named by Greenpeace as an industry leader in its Detox Catwalk, which assesses how committed companies have performed against key criteria, including eliminating known hazardous chemicals from their products and moving towards full supply chain transparency.

Ending the fast fashion trend is one of the main target areas of waste-advocacy groups like WRAP, with its Sustainable Clothing Action Plan.

Brad Allen

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