Abercrombie & Fitch adopts an environmentally sustainable policy on fabric sourcing

By

Emily Jensen

Published
Sep 15, 2017

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has collaborated with Rainforest Action Network to create a new policy on sourcing wood-based fabrics such as rayon that will limit deforestation.

 
A&F will ensure that fabrics used in its products are not linked to endangered or ancient forests, or in violation of the rights of many indigenous people who depend on forests. The new policy will be applied across the A&F network by mid-2018 and will trace the origins of all wood-based fabrics used across the company, such as rayon, viscose and modal.
 
The company, which owns the brands Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister, worked with RAN’s Senior Forest Campaigner Brihannala Morgan in developing the new policy. “It’s encouraging to see brands beginning to take responsibility for their supply chains. Abercrombie & Fitch’s commitments and actions, joining more than 100 other brands who have developed policies, can truly have a positive impact on forests and the people that depend on them,” Morgan said in a statement.

“At A&F, we have a history of demonstrating our commitment to environmental responsibility through our actions, and this new policy is a further step on our ongoing sustainability journey. We know there is a need for better supply chain traceability and, with RAN’s support, we can now make an even greater positive impact,” Kim Harr, Senior Director of Sustainability at Abercrombie & Fitch Co., stated.
 
RAN’s Out of Fashion campaign called out various fashion brands for their participation in deforestation. Now labels such as Ralph Lauren and Victoria’s Secret have come out against deforestation, and committed to seeking out sustainably-sourced materials.