Primark x WRAP Partnership

Making the most of our clothes.

WRAP and Primark are partnering on a three-year project to support Primark’s commitment to giving clothes a longer life.

Our partnership will explore how collaboration and innovative solutions can keep clothing in circulation for longer to help reduce textile waste. This includes looking at the next step for Primark’s textile donation scheme and routes to expand its existing circularity ambitions.

As part of the partnership, Behaviour Change, a subsidiary of WRAP, will be contributing its behavioural science expertise.

Addressing the current challenge

1.6 billion
items of clothing are going unworn in UK wardrobes that could be given a new lease of life with somebody else.
49%
of all used textiles in the UK are disposed of in the general waste.
Less than 1/4
of citizens surveyed have ever used a takeback scheme.
Up to 30%
of carbon, waste and water footprints can be reduced by extending the active use of clothing by 9 months.

A history of working together

WRAP and Primark have a decade-long history of working together successfully.

Our collaboration began with WRAP’s inaugural textiles voluntary agreement, the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan 2020, and continued as Primark became a founding member of our successor agreement, Textiles 2030. Primark has since developed its Primark Cares strategy and Circular Product Standard, with our support and technical expertise. 

This partnership marks the next natural step in the evolution of our work together. 

Project timelines and milestones  

Year one (2024-2025):
  • Knowledge mapping: WRAP and Primark have worked together to consolidate our knowledge base and have conducted further research where gaps were identified, particularly around consumer awareness and understanding of textile donation schemes. This also included exploring barriers and motivations for donating good quality used clothing to high street fashion stores such as Primark.
  • Pilot design: Insights from the knowledge mapping exercise are being used to shape pilot recommendations for Primark’s textile donation scheme and other potential circular clothing initiatives as part of the partnership.
Year two (2025-2026):
  • Pilots launch
  • Measure impact and communicate progress
Year three (2026-2027):
  • Adapt and extend pilots to additional stores/markets
  • Measure impact and communicate progress 

Work with WRAP to lead the change

Together we can make Circular Living a reality.

Get in touch