WRAP press release - More than half UK public worry about the environmental cost of their clothes - new action announced

16 November 2020


Research by WRAP, the UK’s leading sustainability charity, found that more than half of people now view the environmental impact of clothing as severe, with two in three (63%) saying clothes made to look good and last longer are now factors in the brands and clothing they choose. WRAP warns major clothing retailers and brands that they must clearly demonstrate their commitment to making sustainable longer-lasting clothes, or risk losing sales.  

The findings build on earlier WRAP research which found that the public wants inventive new retail options that prolong the life of clothes, including voucher schemes for clothing exchanges (46%), and pre-loved clothes (41%) - particularly popular among younger and ‘high frequency’ (weekly) clothes shoppers. Our personal habits have changed too during lockdown, with one in four (23%) now repairing clothes, and one in five (19%) keeping items for longer.

Businesses are responding to public demand for clothes with lighter environmental footprints, with major brands and retailers signed up to the SCAP 2020 voluntary agreement (Sustainable Clothing Action Plan) exceeding both the carbon and water targets. But, warns WRAP, many more aren’t, and those wanting to protect their market share must demonstrate to shoppers and shareholders their commitment to the environment, and sign up to Textiles 2030.

Marcus Gover, Chief Executive WRAP, “SCAP 2020 has been an amazing journey and so much has been achieved. I would like  to thank signatories, advisors, supporters, funders and colleagues for their commitment and energy during these last eight years. I am  hugely impressed by the extent to which we have been able to make such a difference by working together. SCAP 2020 signatories have been the recognised leaders. However, more action is needed by more companies to make clothing more sustainable. That is why we need to continue this work. Textiles 2030 will pick up the mantle.”

Textiles 2030 will be the most ambitious national voluntary agreement for clothing and other textiles in the world. The ten-year programme aims to transform UK clothing and home fabrics to reduce their impact on climate change. It will take the UK from a make-use-dispose culture to a circular one where goods are produced sustainably, used longer, and then re-used or recycled into new products. Central is the Target-Measure-Act approach, which requires clothing and textile businesses to set targets, measure their impact and track progress on both an individual business basis, and towards national targets and public reporting.

In this way, Textiles 2030 will reduce lifecycle GHG emissions in line with the global goal of a 1.5°C trajectory, cut the water footprint of products and deliver a UK-wide circular textiles road map.

The British Fashion Council, British Heart Foundation, The British Retail Consortium, Cancer Research UK, Charity Retail Association, CTR Group, Institute of Positive Fashion, John Lewis & Partners, Next, Oxfam, Primark, Recyclatex, Re-Fashion, Sainsbury’s, Salvation Army Trading Company, SOEX UK, Suez, Ted Baker, Textiles Recycling Association and Tesco are the first to sign up to Textiles 2030, ahead of its official launch in April 2021. Marcus Gover, “The climate emergency is intensifying, and our resources are limited. We need fast, effective action more than ever. Our research shows that people understand this, and want sustainable clothes not disposable fashion. Textiles 2030 is about transforming textiles, and taking up where SCAP 2020 left off – creating a fashion sector fit for the future.”

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “Thousands of tonnes of unwanted clothes and textiles end up in landfill and incineration each year, wasting precious natural resources.

“That is why we must shift away from this ‘take, make, use, throw’ approach to a more circular system where clothes are kept in use and re-used, recycled fibres are used in new products and the climate and water impacts of the sector are reduced.

“Textiles 2030 will help drive this transformation, to shift to greater circularity and innovation in the UK and help in our mission to build back greener from the Covid pandemic.”

Leah Riley Brown, Sustainability Policy Advisor at British Retail Consortium, “The British Retail Consortium supports Textiles 2030 as an important step towards decarbonising and accelerating change within the UK fashion industry. Alongside our Climate Action Roadmap, both will provide a comprehensive way forward for fashion retailers to deliver an ambitious target to tackle climate change ahead of the Government’s 2050 net zero target.

"Industry-wide collaboration is essential if we are to make crucial, science-based progress to create a more circular economy and combat climate change."

WRAP is also working with partners on a global approach to the clothing issue through the Circular Clothing Action Plan. Developed in partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and supported by the Laudes Foundation, this project will deliver the first ‘off the peg’ plan to help achieve ambitious global circular economy targets on clothing by co-ordinated, national action. WRAP will develop the global goals and support their transition into national frameworks with measurable targets.

Ends

Launched in 2012, SCAP 2020 set out to cut carbon, water and waste by influencing product design and manufacture, re-use and recycling. The agreement includes 140 members across industry, including brands and retailers representing nearly half of all UK clothing sold. By the end of 2019, with one year to go:

The carbon target was exceeded with a reduction of -15.9% per tonne of garments.

The water target was exceeded with a -19.5% reduction per tonne of garments. The waste target recorded a -2.3% reduction against a -3.5% target per tonne of garments.

SCAP 2020 signatory examples

ASOS – achieved 14% organic cotton in 2019, with more than 80% of cotton now more sustainably sourced.

Tesco – through F&F, switched fabrics to more sustainable options: from virgin to recycled polyester and recycled nylon, viscose to lyocell, and conventional cotton to Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) or organic cotton.

M&S – has been working on the adoption of more sustainable materials and dyeing processes in clothing and home products. Since 2012, it has demonstrated more than 29% reduction in water and over 11% reduction in carbon. Reaching 100% more sustainable cotton throughout its clothing ranges was a key driver.

Primark – significantly reduced its environmental impacts through the expansion of the Primark Sustainable Cotton Program (PSCP), which uses Cotton Connect’s REEL methodology.

Salvation Army Trading – has nearly doubled the quantity of second-hand clothing collected each year at recycling banks from its large supermarket customers and charity shops. It now collect around 50,000 tonnes of clothing, textiles and other items each year.

Whistles – switching to BCI cotton contributed to a reduction of over 70% in water footprint.

Textiles 2030 will reduce carbon emissions and contribute towards wider sector targets under the BRC Climate Action Roadmap, the Paris Agreement and the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. Textiles 2030 targets: Cut carbon by 40%+ to align with 1.5°C global target, cut water footprint by 30% and create and deliver a circular textiles roadmap for the UK through collaboration.

UK consumers are ready for a sustainable clothing revolution – citizen research.

In the UK we buy more clothes per person than any other country in Europe with an industry worth £32 billion…yet almost one third of the contents of UK wardrobes is not worn. Over 300,000 tonnes of used clothing ends up in landfill every year (£140m). Textile production is resource intensive for water, raw materials and energy – which can’t be sustained with growth in demand.

WRAP is an environmental charity that works with governments, businesses and individuals to ensure that the world’s natural resources are used sustainably. It’s the charity leading The UK Plastics Pact, a world first initiative, as well as Love Food Hate Waste, the Courtauld Commitment, Sustainable Clothing Action Plan and Recycle Now. WRAP works collaboratively and develops and delivers evidence-based, impactful solutions to reduce the environmental cost of the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the plastic packaging we use. Founded in 2000 in the UK, WRAP now works throughout the world and is a Global Alliance Partner of The Royal Foundation’s Earthshot Prize.

 



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