Primark

The lack of universal industry standard has prompted global retailer Primark to come up with its own Durability Framework that spells out guidance designed to encourage longer-lasting clothing across the fashion industry.

Major fashion brands are using greater amounts of polluting synthetic textiles, a survey of 50 global firms— representing $1 trillion in market value and spanning fast fashion, sports, luxury and supermarket own-brands — reveals greater dependence on synthetic fibres that are driving fast fashion, and use of fossil fuel industry tactics, says a report by the Changing Markets Foundation.

Eight leading brands have joined a new collaborative initiative aimed to identify solutions and overcome challenges to begin decoupling revenue from production of new garments, advancing the long-term journey to make a circular economy for fashion a reality.

Pre-consumer garment waste at some operational and permanently closed brick factories from as many as 19 international brands were found to be fuelling the kilns in Cambodia, exposing people to toxins and causing negative health and environmental impacts.

As critical actions to make fashion industry more sustainable gains momentum, a study by the University of Leeds has declared that although durability can be measured to identify the most and the least durable garments, retail price cannot be used to predict which garment will last longer.

‘Affordable’ retailer Primark is inching closer to its ambitious move towards a more circular future with the launch of its first ever collection that promises enhanced durability and recyclability.