ABSTRACT
BEHIND THE
Using the lens of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to
evaluate the evolution of the Denali jacket, one of
their most popular products, The North Face was able
to understand the environmental benefits of changes
in the jacket over time and to identify additional
opportunities to reduce the environmental impacts of
the Denali jacket and other TNF products.
Additionally, TNF leveraged the findings from the LCA
to develop unique points of communications, such as
an engaging animated video, to inform their
customers of their efforts.
SEAMS OF THE
NORTH FACE
DENALI JACKET
Assessing the environmental impacts through Life
Cycle Assessment and effectively communicating the
results
ltsexperts.com
[email protected]
802-434-3326
Experts in Product Stewardship
Behind the Seams of The North Face Denali Jacket
Assessing the environmental impacts through Life Cycle Assessment and
effectively communicating the results
The North Face, Inc. (TNF) is an American outdoor product company, specializing in
outerwear, fleece, coats, shirts, footwear and equipment such as backpacks, tents and sleeping bags.
TNF has focused product development and sustainability efforts on reducing the environmental impacts
of the polyester fleece in one of their key products, the Denali jacket. The Denali jacket has been a top
seller for The North Face since the late 1980s. For TNF making these changes is part of their
commitment to the environment. They believe in using their scale for good and this was one way to
have the biggest impact – through one of their most popular products.
TNF commissioned Long Trail Sustainability (LTS), formerly EARTHSHIFT, to conduct an LCA to
understand the potential environmental impact reductions during the evolution of the Denali jacket and
to identify opportunities for improvements. Previous iterations of the Denali jacket’s fleece fabric were
made of virgin polyester and were dyed using a process called piece dyeing, or dying the entire fabric.
Over the last several years, TNF has begun using recycled polyester (post-industrial recycled (PIR) and
post-consumer recycled (PCR)) and solution dyeing (dyeing during fiber extrusion), as an alternative to
piece dyeing for the black and heather gray jackets.
Virgin polyester, piece
dyed
Hybrid (PIR /
PCR), piece
dyed
ReprevePC
(100% PCR),
piece dyed
Repreve
Performance
PC (~95% PCR),
solution dyed
Repreve
Performance PC
(~95% PCR),
solution dyed,
with take-back
Figure 1: Evolution of The North Face Denali Jacket
So what is involved in the life cycle of a Denali Jacket?
The production of the Denali jacket consists of the extraction of the raw materials, production of the
various plastic resins (recycled and virgin), production of yarn, fabric manufacturing and the cut and sew
operations. In addition, transportation and packaging are required between the various manufacturing
phases and retail operations. Furthermore, the system includes the use phase, consisting of washing and
drying the jacket, and the final disposal.
Results
Through the evolution of the Denali Jacket, TNF saw:
•
A 16% decrease in climate change impacts, or the equivalent to 16,500 people driving from San
Francisco to Yosemite each year
•
A 23% decrease in total energy, or the yearly electricity use for 550 US homes
•
A 33% decrease in water consumption, or the daily water use by 52,000 Californians
•
A 23% decrease in waste, or a week of trash collection at 1,600 US households.
Some of these improvements have realized cost savings in the supply chain, including cutting out some
of the steps for dyeing and finishing. In addition, cost savings from switching to solution dyeing is
allowing TNF to increase scale of recycled content. This is only possible by working hand in hand with
their suppliers.
Leveraging Findings
To really make your LCA work count, developing meaningful communication is imperative. Taking all of
the tables, spreadsheet, and models, and boiling it down to what your audience understands and what
they care about. The use of social media can be a great way to communicate your work. TNF developed
this meaningful, easy to digest video to showcase their LCA results.
TNF successfully leveraged their LCA not only to refine production processes and lessen environmental
impacts, but also to improve their product’s market value and apply learnings across product lines.
About LTS
Integrating life cycle thinking in to business.
Long Trail Sustainability (LTS), formerly EARTHSHIFT, works with organizations to integrate life cycle
sustainability practices in to their business conduct. Whether it’s a broad spectrum approach or a
focused effort geared towards product design, employee engagement and collaboration, supply chain
management, brand enhancement or beyond, LTS works closely with our clients and adapts our
sustainability solutions to meet each one’s individualized challenges and ambitions.
We like to think of ourselves as a boutique sustainability firm; small and personable with a high level of
in-house expertise yet expansible through our strong worldwide partner network of sustainability
professionals.
Our sustainability services encompass:
•
A skilled Consultancy spanning the range of environmental impact measurement systems
including ISO compliant life cycle assessment, GHG protocol carbon accounting, water and
product footprinting, sustainable product development, building science and energy efficiency.
•
High quality software tools including the world renowned SimaPro LCA software, which we
have offered and supported as PRé Sustainability’s North American partner since 2000, and our
own custom North American specific database, DATASMART Life Cycle Inventory Package.
•
An outstanding training program for both professionals and academics, over twenty custom
developed courses ranging from introductory to advanced level and our own industry
recognized Certificate Training Programs.
We help our clients in a variety of ways:
•
•
•
•
•
Assess cradle-to-grave environmental impacts of their products and services.
Integrate environmental footprinting in to the design process.
Improve business decisions to benefit multiple stakeholders.
Put the science behind marketing claims.
Build internal capacity on sustainability issues through training.
Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for your organization!
830 Taft Rd, Huntington VT 05462 USA
[email protected] | (802) 434-3326
www.ltsexperts.com