Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is striving to source more sustainable fibers in key commodities, including cotton, polyester, down, wool and viscose. Our commitment to responsible sourcing of materials is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals 15 and 17.
Goals
A&F Co. is working to source more sustainable fibers by 2025.
Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Down: Source 100% by 2025
A&F Co. achieved and maintained its goal to source 100% of down from Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified sources since fiscal year 2020. This goal was achieved just one year into our commitment made in 2019 (and five years ahead of the target date).
Better Cotton: Source 25% Better Cotton by 2025
A&F Co. sourced 23% of its cotton supply through Better Cotton in fiscal year 2022*.
*The measurement is an estimate based on assumptions provided to, and approved by, Better Cotton concerning total cotton amounts procured by A&F Co., including but not limited to garment yields, fabric weight, average grams per square meter, fibers by fabric type.
Recycled Polyester Fill: Source 25% by 2025
A&F Co. sourced 100% recycled polyester fill in 98% of our filled outerwear units in fiscal year 2022.
Recycled Polyester Fabric: Source 25% by 2025
A&F Co. sourced recycled polyester in 1% of units containing at least 25% polyester fabric in fiscal year 2022.
Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) Wool: Source 100% by 2025
A&F Co. is working to implement the RWS standard across all virgin wool.
Canopy Supported Innovative Viscose: Source 50% by 2025
A&F Co. is working to source innovative viscose by 2025.
Strategies
Cotton
We’re a Cotton LEADS Partner and supports its mission to advance sustainable cotton production in the U.S. and Australia. We’re also a Better Cotton member. As a member of Better Cotton, we’re committed to improving cotton farming practices. A&F Co. is committed to sourcing 25% of our cotton as Better Cotton by 2025*.
Better Cotton’s mission is to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment. Better Cotton trains farmers to:
- use water efficiently, care for soil health and natural habitats, reduce use of the most harmful chemicals and respect workers’ rights and wellbeing
- care for the environment and implement the principles of Decent Work
- care for the environment and respect workers’ rights and wellbeing
- adapt to the effects of climate change
*Better Cotton is sourced via a system of Mass Balance and is not physically traceable to end products. See bettercotton.org/massbalance for details.
Recycled Polyester
Incorporating recycled polyester in our fabric helps to divert discarded plastic bottles or other virgin plastic materials from landfills to more productive use.
Recycled polyester (versus virgin polyester) releases less greenhouse gasses and uses less water and energy in the production process – lessening its environmental impact.
Viscose & Manmade Cellulosic Fiber
Man-made cellulosic fiber (MMCF) is typically made of dissolved wood pulp and more commonly known as viscose, lyocell, rayon and/or modal. Our Cellulosic Fiber Policy, published in 2017, outlines a tracking system to improve our traceability through the supply chain. We work with Canopy and our cellulosic fiber suppliers to collaborate and support solutions that protect ancient and endangered forests.
A&F Co. is collaborating with industry partners to improve supply chain sourcing practices in a manner that will help protect endangered forests and impacted communities around the world. Within our Cellulosic Fiber Policy announced in 2017, we are committed to establishing due diligence processes and tracking systems in order to improve traceability. As part of that commitment, we publicly report the company’s progress.
Addressed to date
- Published policy
- Notified of policy traceability requirements
- Mapped supply chain
- Identified high risk areas
- Partnered with Canopy
- Monitor and independently verify raw material locations
- Evaluate needed actions for and/or relationship with suppliers in high risk areas
- Publicly report on progress by middle of 2019
Next Steps
- Conduct risk assessments
- Establish performance metrics
Down & Wool
In 2022, A&F Co. joined Textile Exchange, a global non-profit driving positive impact on climate change across the fashion and textile industry. It guides brands, manufacturers and farmers towards purposeful production from the very start of the supply chain. A&F Co. utilizes the Textile Exchange Standards to verify sustainability claims in products, including the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and the Global Recycled Standard (GRS). To learn more, visit textileexchange.org.
We partner with down suppliers to comply with Textile Exchange’s Responsible Down Standard . By obtaining proper certification and supply chain transparency, the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) (independently) certifies down and feathers against animal welfare requirements and tracks it from farm to final product.
We work with our wool suppliers to comply with Textile Exchange’s Responsible Wool Standard. By obtaining proper certification and supply chain transparency, the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) (independently) verifies wool animal welfare and land management requirements and tracks it from farm to final product.
Metals
A&F Co. complies with the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform Act to prevent armed groups from benefiting from the sourcing of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the covered countries. As a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), we’re able to confirm suppliers are conformant with RMI’s Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) assessment protocol.
Read more about our Conflict Mineral Policy here.
