Primark Cares Terms Explained

Circular

A definition inspired by our partner the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, circular products are made from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials and designed with the future in mind – meaning they have a longer lifespan when in use and can be recycled into new materials or clothes at end-of-life.

Recyclable by design

Clothing designed for the possibility that it can be recycled into new clothes or into new fibres when it reaches end-of-life. For example, that might mean making products from one single fibre, or making trims (like buttons) easily removeable.

Durable / Durability

Primark sees durability as the amount of wear or use that a consumer can get from a product over a period of time.  An item of clothing is durable if it remains functional and wearable without requiring too much maintenance or repair, when faced with the challenges of normal wash and wear over its lifetime.

Reuse

To give clothing another life, whether it's reworked into something new in your wardrobe, given to a friend, donated to charity, or sold on a second-hand platform.

End-of-life

When a garment reaches end-of-wear.

Reworked

Restyling or customising clothing using techniques like sewing, dyeing, or crafting to give it a new look.

Pre-loved

Vintage, second-hand or re-loved clothing that has been owned before but still has plenty of wear.

Repair

Mending an item to bring it back to a usable state.

Textile Takeback

Is a scheme run by certain retailers, like Primark, where used clothes can be donated by a consumer which are then sorted by a textile recycling

Rivets

The metal pieces that reinforce an area on a garment, usually jeans, that gets a lot of pull or wear. You’ll typically notice them near the openings of pockets. They help reinforce the multiple layers and hold them up through wear, but can be removed through smart design.

Trims

Trims on clothing are elements that are added to the main garment. They can have functional use, like buttons, zips or waistbands, or can be added for aesthetic reasons.

Pocketbags

A piece of fabric which can be seen on the inside of your garment to create a pocket.

Interlining

Interlinings are generally materials that add more structure and body to garment components like collars, waistbands, and cuffs.

Zero waste pattern cutting

The clever use of space through the pattern cutting process, creating a product that uses 99-100% of the fabric or avoids waste altogether.

Modular design

Designing clothes using interchangeable parts that can be disassembled into different parts and then reassembled. This design strategy can also support repairability, remanufacturing and recycling.

Emotional durability

A step further from physical durability, emotional durability is the attachment felt by the wearer of an item of clothes over time. With high emotional durability; the item is more likely to be cared for, re-worn and repaired over time.

Digital sampling

The use of 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology to create digital samples instead of physical samples through the clothing development process. This ultimately reduces the need for physical samples and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting and making them.

Versatile design

Ensuring the clothing has more than one use and can be styled in many ways, helping to extend its life. This will allow the garment to be used for different occasions and functions or by multiple users.

More sustainable packaging

Organic cotton

Cotton is a soft fibre grown on cotton plants. The organic cotton used in Primark product is certified to a universally recognised high standard (either Organic Content Standard (OCS) or Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and is grown using methods that help to reduce the impact on the environment.

• Denim

• Baby clothes

Cotton from the Primark Sustainable Cotton Programme

• Pyjamas

• T-shirts

• Baby grows

• Denim

• Towels

• Bedding

Recycled materials (Definition: Materials which would otherwise have been thrown away are collected and turned into new materials)

Recycled cotton

Recycled cotton is made using cotton fabric waste which is spun into new fibres. Recycled cotton used in Primark product is certified to a universally recognised high standard; either the Recycled Content Standard (RCS) or the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).

• Denim

• T-shirts

• Jersey

Recycled acrylic

Acrylic is a man-made fibre. Recycled acrylic is made using acrylic fabric waste which is spun into new fibres. Recycled acrylic used in Primark product is certified to a universally recognised high standard; either the Recycled Content Standard (RCS) or the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).

• Knitwear

Recycled polyamide (nylon)

Polyamide is a man-made fibre, often called nylon. Recycled polyamide used in Primark product is certified to a universally recognised high standard; either the Recycled Content Standard (RCS) or the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).

• Lingerie

• Tights

• Swimwear

Recycled polyester

Polyester is a man-made fibre. Recycled polyester used in Primark product is certified to a universally recognised high standard; either the Recycled Content Standard (RCS) or the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).

• Knitwear

• Hoodies

• Joggers

• Blouses

• Outerwear

Recycled metal

Recycled metals used at Primark include zinc, steel, brass and iron. These are certified to a universally recognised high standard; either the Recycled Content Standard (RCS) or the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).

• Jewellery

More sustainable lyocell, modal and viscose

Sustainable lyocell, modal and viscose are fibres made using the cellulose found in wood. To protect ancient forests and their biodiversity, the wood used to make these fibres is sourced from responsibly managed forests.

• Denim

• Underwear

• Pyjamas

• Knitwear