Materials make a difference.
Our first experience with a product is through touch. Quality matters. For us, that goes hand in hand with performance, innovation and sustainability, because innovation today means better performing, longer-lasting gear tomorrow.
Our Materials Commitment
In 2021, The North Face set an ambitious goal for 100% of our top materials (polyester, cotton and nylon) to be recycled, responsibly sourced, renewable or regeneratively grown by 2025 for apparel and by 2030 for footwear and equipment. We set this goal because the majority of the greenhouse gas emissions generated to make our products comes from manufacturing the materials that our products are made of. These goals were set to reduce our environmental impact by accelerating our progress on material innovation.
Where We Stand
We have made significant progress, and while we didn’t reach our original target of 100% by the end of 2024, 95% of our polyester, 80% of our nylon and 45% of our cotton for apparel was recycled, responsibly-sourced renewable or regeneratively grown in 2024.
Our Next Steps
We continue to work towards our original goal and since we are nearly there for apparel, we have updated our materials commitment—we’re aiming for our top 5 materials with the greatest greenhouse gas emissions (polyester, nylon, cotton, leather, and elastane) to be recycled, responsibly-sourced renewable and/or regenerative across all of our product categories by 2030.
Meet Our Materials
Recycled Synthetics
Reusing synthetic materials helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and—in the case of polyester—gives used plastic containers a second life. Read More
Bio-Based Materials
Derived partially from living matter, bio-based materials have provided another avenue for us to move away from virgin synthetics. We’ve just begun experimenting with these materials.
Regeneratively Sourced Materials
Our regeneratively sourced materials come from farms focused on restoring soil health and sequestering carbon into the soil. Read More
Down
In 2014 we launched the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) in partnership with Textile Exchange and Control Union Certifications, setting the standard for animal welfare in the industry. Read More
Made With Mother Nature in Mind
To earn our Exploration Without Compromise™ badge, products must be made with 75% or more recycled, regeneratively grown and/or responsibly-sourced renewable fabrics by weight.
