Primark, M&S, Frasers Group and Dunelm are among the retail giants to sign circular economy charity Wrap’s textiles 2030 initiative to “reduce carbon emissions, improve water stewardship and make the clothing and textiles sector more circular”.
The 26 retailers supporting the pledge, which also includes John Lewis, Boohoo, Asda and Matalan, will contribute to “discussions around policy development for textiles in the UK”.
Wrap (which stands for Waste & Resources Action Programme) said its textiles 2030 annual progress report shows that brands who signed up to the agreement have reduced the carbon impact of the textiles they produce by 12%, as well as reducing water by 4% on a per tonne basis between 2019 and 2022.
The charity said the “uptake of recycled fibres alone” could reduce the total carbon footprint and water for signatories by 12% and 18% respectively as the retailers pledge to “slash the environmental impacts of their products”.
In a bid to emphasise the environmental impact of fashion and home textiles, Wrap also partnered with Anthropy’s 2023 gathering to “call out unsustainable production and consumption” via a fashion show at The Eden Project.
Wrap director of behaviour change and business programmes Catherine David said: “Textiles and fashion are responsible for up to 10% of global carbon emissions.
“We can see from the impact of Textiles 2030 that it’s possible to change this. But as fast as positive improvements happen, they’re cancelled out by rising production.
“If we hope to get anywhere near achieving the critical goals of the Paris Agreement, we must get serious about textiles and everyone has a role to play.
“We need sustainable design, sustainable business models and more sustainable ways of buying and using clothes from more businesses.
“But production is clearly the key issue and the onus is on businesses to make pre-loved part of their portfolio so it’s accessible, easy and fun.
“Through Textiles 2030, many brands and retailers are already taking action, but there is a long way to go and many more businesses who need to join us on this journey.”
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