Supreme, North Face, Vans, Napapijri and Timberland are on the map thanks to VF Corporation. So if you want to know the eco footprint of your boots, jackets and sneakers, read on.
Tracking the supply chain, and it is one that spans the globe, is tough, so full marks to VF for getting more than 100 product maps drawn. The next crucial step – to go back a step further to the farms that supply the organic materials, the wools and leathers, and the oil fields for the plastics.
To know how sustainable a product is you need to know where the materials used come from, what processes they have gone through during manufacturing, what the social and environmental impacts are – and how far the elements have travelled. And from this comes a set of fascinating supply chain ‘maps’ from brand owner VF Corporation, who has been recognised for the sixth consecutive year as one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere.
The maps mean today’s fashion-conscious consumer can also be conscious of their sustainability footprint – with a view of everything from the leather tanneries used to the makers of the shoelaces and the standards they adhere to. The maps are just the start of an ambitious journey and VF acknowledges that complete traceability goes beyond the factories to the farm, ranch or facility where the materials are grown, sourced or extracted.
It is also delivering real results and has led to the careful selection of leather suppliers to ensure best practice. The obvious next step is to look in more detail at the fossil-fuel derived polyesters and plastics that cause so much damage to our climate and environment.
Watch this space and VF Corporation for updates.
Further reading: For more about leather and the supply chain visit The Leather Working Group or the Sustainable Leather Foundation. Explore VF Corporation’s maps here.
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