Primark has confirmed that shoppers can receive free coat hangers simply by asking at the checkout. The budget-friendly retailer, which attracts an estimated 2.3 million weekly visitors across the UK, allows customers to request extra hangers when purchasing items in store.
How to Get Free Hangers
Customers can ask for standard clothes hangers, trouser hangers, or single-peg clips typically used for shorts. A Primark spokesperson verified the policy: "Customers are welcome to ask for additional hangers when purchasing an item in store, and where possible, our store teams will include the additional hangers free of charge in the transaction. We'd encourage shoppers to ask one of our colleagues if it's something they'd like."
Availability depends on stock at each branch, but staff are generally willing to hand over spare hangers rather than discard them. Many retailers face disposal costs for excess plastic hangers, making this an eco-friendly option for shoppers.
Environmental Impact
Globally, approximately 34 billion plastic clothes hangers end up in landfill each year. Nearly 85% of all hangers produced are thrown away rather than recycled due to their low-grade materials and tendency to snap. By reusing hangers, customers can help reduce this waste.
Charity shops and dry cleaners are also often happy to give away surplus hangers. Dry cleaners accumulate hundreds of wire and safety hangers weekly and are typically delighted for someone to take them off their hands.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives
For those seeking sustainable options, eco-conscious alternatives to traditional plastic hangers include bamboo, recycled cardboard, bioplastics, and sustainably certified wood. Choosing these materials can significantly reduce plastic waste.
Surplus hangers can also be repurposed at home as DIY organisers for accessories, compact drying racks for delicate garments, or supports for garden plants.
