Waste
Global store and office waste is reduced through recycling efforts outlined by the UN Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 17.
Goals
Global Home Office & Distribution Centers
Reduce print by 25% by 2022 compared to 2017 baseline
A&F Co. achieved and maintained the goal to reduce printing by 25% compared to a 2017 baseline since fiscal year 2020. In 2020, A&F Co. transitioned to work from home and hybrid work atmosphere which positively impacted our print goal.
Strive for 50% waste reduction by 2025
A&F Co. achieved and maintained the goal to reduce waste by 50% compared to a 2019 baseline since fiscal year 2020. In 2020, A&F Co. transitioned to work from home and hybrid work atmosphere which positively impacted our waste goal.
Global Stores
Recycle 100% hazardous waste in all domestic stores by 2022
A&F Co. implemented the g2 revolution hazardous waste recycling program in 43% of US stores in fiscal year 2022.
Reduce print by 10% globally year over year through 2022
A&F Co. global stores decreased printing by 1% in fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021.
Strategies
Global Home Office & Distribution Centers
In 2019, A&F Co. challenged its Global Home Office associates to print 25% less pages than in 2017. Print management systems and green conferences rooms are just two of the many ways our associates can contribute to reducing paper waste daily at our global offices. In 2021, associates printed 86% fewer pages than in the 2017 baseline, saving over 630 trees. Most of this reduction was due to the continued work of associates from home due to COVID 19. However, associates continue to look for new ways of working to limit the amount of paper used at the Global Home Office.
Food waste is also an area of opportunity at our Global Home Office and Distribution Centers. In 2021, we launched a partnership with a local service provider to collect and compost food waste from our cafes.
Stores
A&F Co. operates 700+ stores around the world, often in mall and retail spaces that have varying recycling requirements and capabilities. We continue to work with our mall and landlord partners to identify new opportunities to increase and improve recycling efforts.
Garment Polybags
In a few of our U.S. A&F Co. store locations, we participate in the mall property’s garment polybag recycling programs.
Hazardous Materials
In 2019, A&F Co. partnered with g2 revolution, a specialty recycler, to transition to hazardous waste, recycling, and beneficial reuse programs for returned or damaged personal care. All new and remodeled stores join the hazardous waste recycling program, and the remaining stores are converted when possible. The program will continue to roll out until all U.S. stores are participating.
Packaging
In an effort to reduce the use of virgin material, all shopping bags at our stores are made from at least 60% recycled content and are fully recyclable. Gift boxes available in stores are made from at least 50% recycled material.
When customers receive their A&F Co. orders by mail, whether in the U.S. or internationally, the mailer bags, which are sourced regionally, are made from at least 50% post-industrial plastic.
Excess Inventory
At times, A&F Co. has excess inventory. Since 2013, A&F Co. has donated more than $18.9 million in clothing to World Vision, a global humanitarian organization. This partnership has provided clothing to families in Africa and other regions around the world. A&F Co. and World Vision continue to explore and implement new processes designed to promote further growth of the partnership while also being more efficient and limiting the environmental impact.
In 2020, A&F Co. donated over 25,000 units of product to communities in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala as part of World Vision’s disaster response for Hurricane Eta. A&F Co. partnered with World Vision to select products that would have the strongest impact. An additional 96,000 units were donated to communities in Lesotho, Nicaragua, Zambia, El Salvador and Honduras.
A&F Co. also donates materials to other organizations including the Boys & Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, area universities and others.