Vans
At Wedge, we have gathered and analyzed the following information on Vans to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of its sustainability efforts.
As you may know Vans is a part of the VF corporation which is an American global apparel and footwear company founded in 1899. The company's 13 brands are organized into three categories: Outdoor, Active and Work. The company controls 55% of the U.S. backpack market with the JanSport, Eastpak, Timberland, and The North Face brands.
In 2022, Vans launched its Sustainability Hub and unveiled the VR3 product line and labeling. The VR3 Checkerboard Globe logo on Vans footwear, apparel, and accessories signifies that at least 30% of the product is made up of regenerative, responsibly sourced renewable, and/or recycled materials. This initiative is a major step forward in creating sustainability-minded products and increasing transparency for consumers about how, where, and what Vans products are made from.
Vans is also driving innovation in sourcing and materials development. The brand's Sustainable Materials Vision aims to ensure that their top nine materials originate from regenerative, responsibly sourced renewable, and/or recycled sources by 2030.
Carbon Emissions:
Vans' parent company, VF Corporation, is working hard to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases they produce. They've set a goal to reduce their emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to what they were producing in 2017. As of 2022, they've already reduced their emissions by 66%.
They're also working to reduce emissions from their suppliers and transportation by 30% by 2030 compared to 2017 levels. As of 2021, they've managed to reduce these emissions by 8%.
Carbon intensity measures greenhouse gas emissions in relation to a company's revenue or employees. It helps assess a company's carbon footprint and commitment to reducing emissions.
Labor Practices: Vans' commitment to ethical labor practices includes: a public commitment but doesn't include: an action plan and separate labor costs. Living wage paid rating of 1/5.
For more details, visit the brand's Fashion Checker page.
Renewable Energy Sources: Vans is aiming to use only renewable energy in their buildings by 2026. As of 2022, they're already using 34% renewable energy, which is a 7% improvement from the previous year.
Transparency: Vans' Fashion Transparency Index score is 64.6- better than 99% of the other brands in the index. The index assesses brands' transparency regarding their social and environmental policies. For more information, visit the Fashion Revolution website.
Sustainable Materials: Vans' Sustainable Materials Vision aims to ensure that their top nine materials originate from regenerative, responsibly sourced renewable, and/or recycled sources by 2030.
Recycled Materials: VF Corporation is aiming to source 50% of their polyester from recycled materials by 2026. As of 2021, they've already achieved 36%.
Organic Materials: Vans has launched a new product line, VR3, where at least 30% of the product is made up of regenerative, responsibly sourced renewable and/or recycled materials.
Other Materials: Top materials used by weight:
Rubber: 40%
Polyester: 18%
Cotton: 15%
Leather: 5%
Paper: 4%
Nylon: 3%
Foam: 2%
Wool: 1%
Down: 1%
Others (including brass, polypropylene, etc.): 11%
Animal Welfare:
VF Corporation has a number of animal welfare policies in place. These policies are designed to ensure that animals are treated humanely and ethically throughout the supply chain.
Some of the key animal welfare policies that VF Corporation has in place include:
A ban on fur: VF Corporation does not use fur in any of its products.
A commitment to responsible down sourcing: VF Corporation only sources down from suppliers that meet its strict animal welfare standards.
A commitment to responsible leather sourcing: VF Corporation only sources leather from suppliers that meet its strict animal welfare standards.
A commitment to responsible wool sourcing: VF Corporation only sources wool from suppliers that meet its strict animal welfare standards.
Waste Management: VF Corporation is working to reduce waste. Since 2015, they've managed to recycle or reuse more than 86,000 metric tons of materials that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill. As of 2022, they're recycling or reusing 97% of the waste from their distribution centers.
Across all their activities, they're recycling or reusing 90% of their waste as of 2022.
They're also aiming to get rid of all unnecessary single-use plastics in their operations and events by 2024.
2nd-hand Services: Vans supports second hand services. They have a program called Vans Vault that sells limited edition and vintage shoes. They also have a program called Vans Re-Use-A-Shoe that allows customers to recycle their old Vans shoes.
Here are some of the ways that Vans supports second hand services:
Vans Vault: Vans Vault is a program that sells limited edition and vintage shoes. These shoes are often made with higher quality materials and construction than regular Vans shoes.
Vans Re-Use-A-Shoe: Vans Re-Use-A-Shoe is a program that allows customers to recycle their old Vans shoes. Vans will take your old shoes and recycle them into new products, such as shoes, apparel, and accessories.
By supporting second hand services, Vans is helping to reduce waste and promote sustainability. They are also providing customers with access to high quality, limited edition shoes.
If you are looking for a second hand Vans shoe, you can find them at a variety of retailers, including:
Vans retail stores
Online retailers
Second hand shops
Warranty: Vans offers a one-year warranty on all of its shoes. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. If your shoes develop a defect within one year of purchase, you can return them to Vans for a replacement or refund.
To make a warranty claim, you will need to provide proof of purchase and a description of the defect. You can do this by contacting Vans customer service.
Vans' warranty is not as comprehensive as some other shoe brands. For example, Nike offers a two-year warranty on all of its shoes. However, Vans' warranty is still better than no warranty at all.
Here are some additional details about Vans' warranty:
The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship.
The warranty is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
To make a warranty claim, you will need to provide proof of purchase and a description of the defect.
You can make a warranty claim by contacting Vans customer service.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of Vans' warranty:
Keep your receipt. This will be proof of purchase when you make a warranty claim.
Inspect your shoes carefully when you first purchase them. If you find any defects, report them to Vans immediately.
Store your shoes properly. This will help to prevent them from developing defects.
Use your shoes for their intended purpose. For example, don't use skate shoes for everyday wear.
To learn more about utilizing the warranty, click here.
Offsetting Carbon: Vans has launched innovative initiatives such as the Circle Vee™ footwear silhouette, which is designed to reduce waste in production. The upper is made of 48% organically grown cotton, 47% hemp, and 5% nylon, while the laces are made from 100% jute fibers. The outsole is made from responsibly sourced natural rubber, reducing impacts on the planet.
Vans surpasses the average score in 6/10 sustainability parameters we evaluate.
