Materials make a difference.
Our first experience with a product is through touch. Quality matters. For us, that goes hand in hand with performance and innovation, 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 grown using regenerative agriculture practices 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 grown using regenerative agriculture practices in 2024.
Our Next Steps
We continue to work toward 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 grown using regenerative agriculture practices across all of our product categories by 2030.
*: defined as materials derived from inputs that naturally replenish in a human’s lifetime. For example, lyocell, which is derived from cellulose, with responsible forestry management certification, such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
Meet Our Materials
Recycled Synthetics
Reusing synthetic materials helps reduce our dependence on virgin fossil fuels. 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. Read more
Regeneratively Sourced Materials
Our materials grown using regenerative agriculture practices 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
Exploration Without Compromise
To earn our Exploration Without Compromise™ badge, products must be made with 75% or more recycled, grown using regenerative agriculture practices and/or responsibly-sourced renewable* fabrics by weight.
