Primark's Textile Takeback scheme arrives in Portugal

This initiative is part of the brand's sustainability strategy and aims to encourage customers to give their used clothing and other items, such as bedsheets, a second life.

Following its success in the UK, Ireland, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, the scheme has now arrived in Portugal. Customers can drop off clothing, footwear, accessories and home textiles, such as towels and bedsheets, from any brand and in any condition into the collection boxes in Primark stores. These items will be collected and sorted by Primark's recycling partner, Yellow Octopus, to either reused or recycled.

Funds generated by the Textile Takeback scheme will be donated to Primark’s global partner UNICEF, in providing better access to education, health, water, and hygiene, along with life-saving emergency relief to children in need.

The expansion of Primark's Textile Takeback Scheme to cover its global store footprint is part of the retailer’s wider commitment to become a more sustainable and circular business.

Lynne Walker, Director of Primark Cares, commented: ‘We are excited to extend our Textile Takeback scheme into Portugal, making it easier for our customers to donate their pre-loved clothes and textiles. Expanding our Textile Takeback scheme to our 11 stores across Portugal means giving more clothes a second life. This initiative not only supports our commitment to reducing textile waste, but also helps to support UNICEF's critical work to support children worldwide. Together, we can have a positive impact on both our planet and the lives of vulnerable children and their families.”

Nelson Ribeiro, Head of Sales at Primark Portugal, added: ‘According to data from Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, there were around 198,000 tonnes of textile waste* in Portugal in 2022. That’s why we want to make it easier for customers to be able to donate or recycle their pre-loved items. We also want to help educate our customers and bring them on this journey. We are so delighted to now have Textile Takeback boxes in all of our stores in Portugal, helping our customers to give their textiles a second life.”

Earlier this year Primark announced an investment of over €40 million in Portugal, which includes opening four new stores in four new cities and the extension of its popular Colombo store in Lisbon. Montijo was the first of these stores to open in October, with new locations in Guimaraes, Viseu and Covilhã to follow. This investment will see Primark Portugal grow to 14 stores, increasing its selling space by over 30% and creating over 500 new jobs across the country.

To find out more about how Primark is becoming a more sustainable and circular business and to find out more on how to give clothes a longer life visit: https://corporate.primark.com/pt-pt/a/primark-cares/planeta/reciclar-e-reduzir-o-desperdicio