Partnering with the Ellen Macarthur Foundation to help ‘close the loop’ in clothing

Moving towards more circular principles both within our own operations and across our supply chain is a key part of Primark Cares. We’ve worked with the Ellen Macarthur Foundation since 2018, drawing on their network, knowledge and expertise to help embed more circular practices within our business. Today, we’re a Network Partner and also sit on their Advisory Board.

In July 2021, we joined the Foundation’s Jeans Redesign Project. Our Jeans Redesign collection featured jeans and denim jackets for adults and kids made of organic cotton and recycled fibres and designed to be easily recycled. The jeans were rivet-free, a common design element that makes jeans difficult to recycle, and the labelling also included guidelines on removing buttons and zips before sending to recycle to give the product another life.

Building on our work in this area, we have a new Circular Product Lead within Primark and we’ve begun training our designers, buyers and suppliers on circular design principles.

“We’re pleased to see Primark explore and learn how to put products on the market aligned with circular economy principles and growing their understanding of the challenges that must be addressed to achieve the vision of a circular economy for fashion. Now the concept has been proven, we cannot delay progress. There is a need to continue driving action, at pace and scale, towards a circular economy for fashion.”

Laura Balmond, Fashion Initiative Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation