Clothing retail giant Primark has joined the European Clothing Action Plan (ECAP). ECAP aims to develop a framework to promote practical action for tackling carbon, water and waste footprints across the lifecycle of clothes. It was launched in May 2016.

Primark is one of five businesses to have signed up to the initiative so far, along with Dutch sustainable sock producer Star Sock, Italian clothing brand OVS, Swedish ski-wear firm Peak Performance, and Spanish children’s clothing producer Bobo Choses.

Primark’s decision to join ECAP comes as part of its commitment to reducing its environmental impact. The firm has been blamed for encouraging fast fashion due to its low prices, but like many high street retailers has also launched a series of initiatives to try and curb its environmental footprint.

The ECAP plan aims to help firms better understand the impact of the fibers used in their clothing ranges and to encourage steps to use more sustainable alternatives, such as choosing a more sustainable cotton over traditional cotton. Overall the initiative aims to help its members collectively divert 90,000 tons of clothing waste from landfill and incineration, reduce their climate impact by 1.6 million tons of Co2, and save 588 million cubic meters of water.