VF Corp improves sourcing of recycled polyester to 40% in FY22

VF Corporation has increased sourcing of recycled polyester to 40% in FY22. This is an improvement from 36% in FY21 and puts VF 80% of the way toward achieving the target to use 50% recycled polyester by FY26, as per the company’s 2023 Environmental & Social Responsibility report.

The comprehensive publication details the company’s progress against its environmental and social targets, as well as additional Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action (IDEA) content, which had previously been provided through two separate reports.

“In the face of ongoing challenges impacting the global business community, our employees continue to demonstrate resilience and determination in advancing our purpose to power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet,” said Bracken Darrell, VF’s president and chief executive officer. “I’m impressed with the progress the company made in FY23, and we will remain focused on this important work as a key element of our overall business strategy going forward.”

The company’s annual Environmental & Social Responsibility report focuses on VF’s primary areas of focus: People, Planet and Product. Report topics cover gender parity; racial equity; human rights; product traceability; climate change; renewable energy; waste reduction; use of responsibly sourced, recycled and regenerative materials; and the reduction of unwanted chemistries from its value chain.

The report has revealed that seven VF brands operating in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region have diverted nearly 96,000 kilogrammes of single-use packaging plastics from landfills as of FY23. The company also traced 72% of its wool supply chain from farm to finished product in FY23; wool is one of the five key materials that VF has committed to tracing through all five supply chain tiers by FY28.

The report also highlights how VF brands are taking action to help drive meaningful results for people and the planet. Examples of VF brand initiatives and achievements featured in the report from FY23 include how the Smartwool brand invested in inclusive sizing with their first plus-size base layers apparel line. The Vans brand championed the LGBTQ+ community with its Off The Wall Pride Gallery Collection and donations to LGBTQ+ advocacy organisations. While nearly half (48%) of the icebreaker brand’s wool is sourced from growers implementing regenerative practices. The North Face brand also launched its first Circular Design products and the Timberland, Vans and The North Face brands are launching products featuring regeneratively-grown natural rubber.