This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50458397

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Is shopping at Primark really a way to be greener? Is shopping at Primark really a way to be greener?
(about 1 hour later)
Fast fashion has a bad reputation among environmental campaigners who accuse it of fostering a wasteful culture.Fast fashion has a bad reputation among environmental campaigners who accuse it of fostering a wasteful culture.
But leading chain Primark has hit back at its detractors, saying shopping on the High Street is better for the planet than buying online.But leading chain Primark has hit back at its detractors, saying shopping on the High Street is better for the planet than buying online.
The boss of AB Foods, Primark's owner, told the Times that its efficient global supply chains meant it was less polluting than online delivery vans.The boss of AB Foods, Primark's owner, told the Times that its efficient global supply chains meant it was less polluting than online delivery vans.
However, George Weston's assertions are questioned by energy experts.However, George Weston's assertions are questioned by energy experts.
Mr Weston told the newspaper: "Far from being a problem, we are a solution."Mr Weston told the newspaper: "Far from being a problem, we are a solution."
He said Primark, which does not have an online shop, had "one of the world's best supply chains".He said Primark, which does not have an online shop, had "one of the world's best supply chains".
"We don't air freight the goods, we ship them, which has far lower emissions," he added."We don't air freight the goods, we ship them, which has far lower emissions," he added.
Mr Weston said delivery vans "puffing their way up and down a street" were more damaging than people collecting products in-store, which was "more environmentally sustainable".Mr Weston said delivery vans "puffing their way up and down a street" were more damaging than people collecting products in-store, which was "more environmentally sustainable".
He dismissed concerns that Primark was selling disposable clothes, saying his customers were not "buying them to wear just once".He dismissed concerns that Primark was selling disposable clothes, saying his customers were not "buying them to wear just once".
So how well-founded are Primark's claims?So how well-founded are Primark's claims?
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US have argued that shopping online is normally greener than doing it in store.Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US have argued that shopping online is normally greener than doing it in store.
That is because when a company receives an order, it can consolidate everything in a single, bigger lorry. And this beats multiple cars driving long distances to a store or shopping centre.That is because when a company receives an order, it can consolidate everything in a single, bigger lorry. And this beats multiple cars driving long distances to a store or shopping centre.
The caveat, of course, is when people travel to the shops by bicycle or less-polluting public transport.The caveat, of course, is when people travel to the shops by bicycle or less-polluting public transport.
The researchers also said the introduction of ultra-fast deliveries in recent years - which meant lorries did not always travel fully loaded - had pushed up online shoppers' carbon footprints.The researchers also said the introduction of ultra-fast deliveries in recent years - which meant lorries did not always travel fully loaded - had pushed up online shoppers' carbon footprints.
But Dr Patsy Perry, senior lecturer in fashion marketing at the University of Manchester, thinks the claims from Primark's Mr Weston carry weight.But Dr Patsy Perry, senior lecturer in fashion marketing at the University of Manchester, thinks the claims from Primark's Mr Weston carry weight.
She told the BBC that by not selling its clothes online, the fast fashion retailer avoided "the extra last mile, sending individual packages to individual homes".She told the BBC that by not selling its clothes online, the fast fashion retailer avoided "the extra last mile, sending individual packages to individual homes".
She added that shipping in stock was indeed less polluting than flying it in.She added that shipping in stock was indeed less polluting than flying it in.
And she said that people tended to return more clothes when shopping online, because they were the wrong size or otherwise failed to meet expectations, and that also had an environmental cost.And she said that people tended to return more clothes when shopping online, because they were the wrong size or otherwise failed to meet expectations, and that also had an environmental cost.
How to be a greener shopperHow to be a greener shopper
Source: The Energy Saving TrustSource: The Energy Saving Trust
Others, like the Energy Saving Trust, an organisation that promotes energy efficiency, take a more nuanced view. It says that if people have driven long distances to get to the shops, they will indeed be creating more carbon emissions than if they ordered online.Others, like the Energy Saving Trust, an organisation that promotes energy efficiency, take a more nuanced view. It says that if people have driven long distances to get to the shops, they will indeed be creating more carbon emissions than if they ordered online.
But it adds: "If you live further away, then it's better to shop online."But it adds: "If you live further away, then it's better to shop online."
Meanwhile, the Centre for Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion argues both shopping in store and online harm the environment.Meanwhile, the Centre for Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion argues both shopping in store and online harm the environment.
"Online retail incurs a high carbon footprint through transportation, excessive packaging and high return rates, with little infrastructure of financial incentive to repair or process these meaningfully," the centre's Monica Buchan-Ng told the BBC."Online retail incurs a high carbon footprint through transportation, excessive packaging and high return rates, with little infrastructure of financial incentive to repair or process these meaningfully," the centre's Monica Buchan-Ng told the BBC.
"But the bricks-and-mortar model also has a considerable impact, with temporary displays and high energy and building costs."But the bricks-and-mortar model also has a considerable impact, with temporary displays and high energy and building costs.
Ms Buchan-Ng stressed that however clothes were bought, their price did not reflect the true environmental cost.Ms Buchan-Ng stressed that however clothes were bought, their price did not reflect the true environmental cost.
She blamed the fashion industry for "mass overproduction" and called on it to "radically decrease the volume of clothing manufactured to truly make a difference to the climate emergency".She blamed the fashion industry for "mass overproduction" and called on it to "radically decrease the volume of clothing manufactured to truly make a difference to the climate emergency".
'Right direction''Right direction'
Primark has been praised in the past for taking steps to be more environmentally friendly. For example, it uses sustainable cotton rather than polluting polyester. Primark has been praised in the past for taking steps to be more environmentally friendly. For example, it has been investing in sustainable cotton, while many rivals are increasingly using synthetic polyester in blouses and dresses.
It has also been using paper carrier bags instead of plastic ones since 2002.It has also been using paper carrier bags instead of plastic ones since 2002.
However, while the ethical fashion site Good On You last year called such measures "a step in the right direction", it added that they "just aren't enough to minimise the brand's huge carbon footprint as a fast fashion chain".However, while the ethical fashion site Good On You last year called such measures "a step in the right direction", it added that they "just aren't enough to minimise the brand's huge carbon footprint as a fast fashion chain".