Primark has released its fourth Sustainability and Ethics Progress Report for 2024/25, outlining advances in its Primark Cares strategy, launched more than four years ago. The retailer reported that it had accelerated its transition to preferred materials, with 74% of its clothing now made from recycled or more sustainably sourced fibres, compared with 66% in 2023. It also confirmed that 57% of its garments contain cotton that is organic, recycled or sourced through the Primark Cotton Project, its long-running training initiative for farmers within its supply chain.
The report highlighted progress in circular design, with 5% of Primark’s products now created to be easier to recycle at the end of their life. Categories such as jersey and denim demonstrated particular gains, with 20% and 8% respectively meeting circular design principles. Key denim pieces in its AW25 collection were developed “with the end in mind,” designed without elastane or metal rivets to support improved recyclability.
Primark gathered its first full year of durability test results for denim, socks and jersey, benchmarked against its Durability Framework. According to the findings, 77% of denim and jersey items and 69% of socks reached the company’s ‘aspirational’ durability threshold, maintaining their quality after 45 washes. The business also continued to strengthen transparency across its operations, with all clothing, textile and footwear suppliers now onboarded to its traceability programme.
Lynne Walker, Director of Primark Cares, said the company had demonstrated that customers “don’t have to choose between sustainability and value,” adding that Primark’s commitments were shared across the organisation. She said the retailer recognised the scale of its responsibility as a global business and noted that its efforts, alongside those of suppliers and partners, were beginning to drive “meaningful change.” She also stressed the importance of continued learning, data gathering and collaboration across the wider industry.
The report detailed additional developments, including a 5.7% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions from Primark’s 2019 baseline. Around 19% of its ocean freight was transported using a biofuel blend, while 98% of journeys from ports to depots used low-carbon fuel. Ninety-seven factories in Bangladesh, China and India have joined Primark’s resource efficiency programme, aimed at reducing energy, water and chemical use as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
More than 90% of farmers involved in the Primark Cotton Project have adopted at least two regenerative agricultural practices across at least 30% of their land. Nearly 1,400 employees have received training as part of the company’s efforts to embed responsible purchasing practices. Four initiatives supporting the physical and mental well-being of supply chain workers have been introduced across over 300 factories.
Primark said it is reviewing its wider sustainability strategy to ensure it reflects evolving regulation and shifting customer expectations, with further updates expected next year.
