The North Face launches refurbished apparel program

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Jun 6, 2018

Taking its lead from Patagonia's Worn Wear program and the growth of sustainability initiatives in the apparel industry, VF Corporation's The North Face has launched its own refurbished clothing program called "Renewed."

James Rogers, director of sustainability at The North Face said in a statement, "As we address the impacts of our products over their entire lifecycle, recommerce is an important next step in opening new markets and minimizing our impact on the planet."

Currently in a pilot phase, Renewed uses returned, damaged and defective apparel. Products offered include The North Face's iconic Summit Series and Denali jackets. The product is cleaned and inspected and then resold at a more affordable price point in an attempt to reduct the company's environmental impact.

Rogers said the company is taking a holistic approach to sustainability with the launch of the refurbishing program. The goal is to create a circular economy and divert apparel from landfills.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 85 percent of textiles end up in landfills each year, with clothing, shoes and gear contributing to the bulk of this waste.

The North Face's Renewed program is currently only offered online. Rogers said the company intends on scaling it so it can expand to the wider apparel industry.