RAW MATERIALS

The raw materials we choose for our products impact our product quality, design, and ultimately, our environmental footprint. We are committed to understanding the impact of our products from raw material extraction to end of life. As we look ahead to future design, we plan to evaluate the impact of the fibers we choose and increase our use of fibers with a lower environmental impact. 

MAN-MADE CELLULOSIC FIBER

We are increasing the percentage of man-made cellulosic fibers in our portfolio, including rayon, viscose, modal and lyocell. We work with our suppliers in an effort to ensure that we do not knowingly source fabrics from old-growth or endangered forests or sources that contribute to deforestation or the loss of high conservation value forests. 

In 2022, our manufacturers used viscose from two suppliers – Lenzing Group and Birla Cellulose – as they have proven track records of responsible sourcing practices. 

Fibers from recycled sources 

We continue to increase the use of recycled fibers in our products. In 2022, 29 percent of the polyester and 35 percent of the polyamide we purchased from vendors was recycled from pre- and post-consumer waste, compared to 25 percent and 10 percent, respectively, the year before.

Cotton Policy

Cotton is a core fiber in our raw material portfolio, and we are committed to ensuring transparency and traceability of our cotton supply chain. 

In January 2022, we updated our Cotton Policy to require all cotton fiber, cotton yarn, cotton fabric and cotton products be spun in or originate from one or more of the approved countries listed on the Policy. Our suppliers are required to retain all documentation for the origin of raw materials, processing and manufacturing to ensure the transparency and traceability of our cotton supply chain and ensure compliance with this Policy. Our internal Independent Production Services may conduct chain-of-custody audits to verify that cotton fiber, cotton yarn, cotton fabric and cotton product originated from an approved country.  

Further, we are committed to increasing the percentage of cotton we purchase directly from farmers. This direct partnership allows us to better understand and support farmers' needs, and have direct visibility into the environmental impact of our cotton sourcing. We are actively partnering with farmers in the U.S. to purchase their cotton directly, which will be included in product beginning in late 2023. 

To view the full policy, click here.

CONFLICT MINERALS POLICY

Victoria’s Secret & Co. prohibits its suppliers from using conflict minerals which may directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its nine adjoining countries in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act’s Conflict Minerals Provisions. We periodically survey suppliers to conduct reasonable country of origin inquiries regarding conflict minerals.

According to U.S. federal law (Dodd-Frank Act, Section 1502), all U.S. public companies, including VS&Co, are required to perform a country of origin (COO) investigation for any 3TG (tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold) in their products, including whether sourcing of those metals may have benefited non-state armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or its nine adjoining countries (collectively known as the “DRC+9”). We require our suppliers to retain records related to conflict minerals supply chain inquiries for a minimum of 5 years and make them available to VS&Co or its designee during audits or upon request. This includes but is not limited to declarations from sub-suppliers, purchasing records, and other supporting documents to substantiate where the 3TG material originated. Form SD and Conflict Minerals Reports previously filed by Victoria’s Secret & Co. can be viewed as part of our SEC filings.

Fur-free lingerie and apparel

We do not sell products made from or containing any Alpaca, Merino sheep, Mohair goat, Angora goat or Angora rabbit fiber or fleece. In addition our products do not contain down, exotic animal skins (snake, alligator, crocodile, lizard etc.) or real fur.

Below is a breakdown of our raw materials sourced in 2021 and 2022. 

BUILDING A CIRCULAR ECOSYSTEM

We are committed to developing products and a system in support of the circular economy. Contrary to the standard, linear system of making, using and disposing of a product, a circular system involves reusing for as long as possible and recycling existing products in an effort to reduce waste, reduce emissions and protect nature. 

We are in the process of piloting three initiatives, all of which play an essential role in developing our circular product model. 

1.    Take Back Program: We are piloting a Take Back Program in 14 stores in the U.S. This program provides customers a way to return Victoria’s Secret and PINK products for us to recapture the materials. The pilot is testing donation, textile recycling and waste-to-energy exit channels with our partner, Debrand, who sorts garments for end of life channels. Further, through our VS&Co Essentials program, we leveraged unused fabric that otherwise may have been destroyed to make nearly 1 million panties for donation in 2022.
2.    Circular Products: We invested in the research and development of a recyclable bra pad in partnership with longstanding partner MAS Holdings. The pad is a key component of our Forever Bra, launched in February 2023. Further, we are developing a circularity design guide to build principles of circularity into our ongoing product design.
3.    Digital IDs: We are creating more connected products through digital IDs. Digital IDs catalog product information throughout the garment’s lifecycle and enable more efficient sortation of products from the Take Back Program.

As we continue learning, our aim is to move toward a more circular business model by diverting textile waste from landfills and allocating materials to their highest value channel. 
 

Designing for circularity: The Forever Bra 

The Forever Bra, which launched in February 2023, was thoughtfully designed in partnership with MAS Holdings. This bra features our first-ever pad that can be fully recycled into a new pad. Customers can then return retired Forever Bras to any U.S. store. Our partners, Debrand and Waste Management, help us collect, sort and process the returns. Bras returned in good condition will go to donation; others will be disassembled, and the pads will go to Unifi, who will help us recycle and integrate the pads into future products. The remainder of the bra will go to fiber reclamation or waste-to-energy. As we move toward making more circular products, we are proud to have started with our core business — exploring solutions for more sustainable bras.