American sports brand Vans announces new sustainability targets

American action sports brand Vans has announced new global commitments to environmental sustainability and responsibility that will be achieved by 2030. The company will move towards creating circular products and systems that use regenerative and recycled materials, designed to reduce waste and keep products in use and out of landfills.

As part of Vans’ commitment to inspire youth culture, Vans recognises the urgency to move towards circular products and will deploy systems that design out waste, in tandem, aiding the United Nations in achieving the organisation’s Sustainable Development Goal 12 to ensure responsible consumption and production patterns, said the company in a press release.

“As a purpose-driven company that is engrained in youth culture, we are leveraging our commitment to creativity to seek new solutions that reimagine the lifecycle of our products and protect the environment for future generations,” said Kim Matsoukas, senior manager of sustainability at Vans. “While there’s more work for us to do, through our Vans family, partnerships with PUR Projet, Terra Genesis and other leading environmental organisations, we’re proud to accomplish these goals by 2030 as we look to create a brighter future for our environment, our communities and our planet.”

To achieve its sustainability vision by 2030, Vans is committed to using 100 per cent regenerative, responsibly sourced, renewable or recycled materials such as rubber, cotton, leather, and polyester. Additionally, the company will commit to a 43 per cent carbon reduction by reducing the average impact of top materials by 35 per cent by 2025, utilising 50 per cent recycled polyester by 2025 and sourcing 100 per cent sustainably grown cotton by 2025, the release said.

The brand will also pilot and scale regenerative, recycled and responsibly sourced materials covering 85 per cent of its materials by 2030. The move to regenerative, recycled and responsibly sourced renewable materials will help Vans achieve its goal of a 30 per cent absolute reduction of scope 3 carbon emissions from a 2017 baseline. Vans is also committed to eliminating all single-use plastic packaging and using renewable energy in 100 per cent of owned and operated facilities by 2025.

Sustainable Development Goals

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals