Circular economy: Primark, sustainable cotton

The fashion and textile sector generates substantial waste and environmental impact, primarily due to linear consumption patterns and low recycling rates. Shifting toward sustainable and recycled materials, such as responsibly sourced cotton, is a key element in moving the industry closer to a circular economy.

Since 2019, EOS has engaged with Associated British Foods (ABF) to improve sustainability in Primark’s range, focusing on increased recycled content and sustainable cotton use. EOS challenged ABF to review recycled content and set clear, time-bound targets for raising sustainable cotton use, while disclosing recycled polyester usage. Engagement included participation at the Primark ESG event, an investor briefing with the CEO, and discussions at the EOS March 2023 Partner fund Advisory Council. As a result, in 2022, ABF committed to ensuring all clothes were made from recycled or sustainably sourced materials by 2030. Building on this momentum, in 2023 the company set a target for 100% of its products to include recycled, organic, or sustainable cotton by 2027 and published a glossary defining ‘sustainable’ for each product type. In 2024, EOS has been monitoring progress, including garment recycling levels and efforts to support customer repair and reuse to improve circularity.