The Better Cotton Initiative
Stitch Fix is a member of BCI to help make global cotton production better for both workers and the environment.
A force for sustainability
We are responsible for creating the change we want to see in the world. It starts with establishing an ethical supply chain and taking measurable action toward a healthier planet.
How we create
Holding ourselves—and our vendors—accountable is how we translate our deeply held principles of responsible sourcing into action.
Stitch Fix vendors
Our vendors are expected to minimize their environmental impact and provide working conditions that uphold local labor laws and international standards on worker and human rights.
Private label factories
We take our factory and vendor relationships very seriously and regularly evaluate workplace conditions, wages, health and safety, non-discrimination and more through a strict audit process.
- Factory Audits
- California Transparency Act & UK Modern Slavery Act
- Commitment to Responsible Recruitment
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Factory List
Conflict-free minerals
We maintain an ethical mineral supply chain by working with vendors to ensure minerals mined in known conflict areas are not used in our products.
Our materials
We set a goal to source 100% of the main materials (cotton, polyester and viscose) in our private label products more sustainably by 2025.
Recycled polyester
We use recycled polyester, which repurposes waste from a variety of sources like plastic bottles, nylon fishing nets and fiber discards.
CanopyStyle Initiative
As members of the CanopyStyle initiative, we pledge that our viscose supply chains will pose no risk to Ancient and Endangered forests by 2022.
Products with positive social impact
We carry socially-conscious products from more than 40 brands, aligning with our ideals and moving industry standards forward.
Sustainable materials
We offer a range of sustainably-minded products made with materials that use fewer chemicals, use less water, and/or reduce waste. At least 30% of the materials in each product must be more sustainable than the conventional alternative.
Responsibly produced
Products that have been responsibly produced matter deeply to us. These products are produced with demonstrated efforts to protect workers or the environment and/or are derived from animals without causing unnecessary harm.
Products that give back
With each purchase, a portion of the proceeds benefit people, animals, or the planet.
Mohnton Mills: Making a difference
In October 2017, we acquired Mohnton Mills, a cut and sew factory and knitting mill near Reading, Pennsylvania to make a portion of our private label products in the USA.
In line with our goal to use more sustainable materials in 100% of our private label product, we are proud to make a wide range of our men's tees at Mohnton with Recover® yarn. Recover® yarn is a 100% upcycled cotton/polyester blend.
In March-June 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic created extraordinary need, Mohnton switched production to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers in the local community and our distribution center associates.
How we deliver
Smart is stylish. We use data and bold ideas to deliver our products and operate our offices more sustainably.
Inventory management
Stitch Fix was created to address some of the biggest challenges with traditional retail—understanding and serving people as individuals, and managing inventory to deliver on that promise. Our data-driven inventory model is highly efficient and reduces waste.
- Style algorithms help us understand what clients want and predict inventory with confidence. Therefore, we sell through at higher rates than the industry average.
- However, when we do have excess inventory, we have partnerships in place to direct products to alternate channels rather than directly to a waste stream.
- We exist to get people what they love, and will keep and continue to wear. Stylists are focused on client happiness rather than pushing more products.
Future-proofing our packaging
A sustainable future demands forward-looking changes in the way we package our products.
Our steps toward sustainable packaging:
- Boxes are all made from 100% post-recycled FSC-certified material, and are recyclable.
- Standard Shop mailers are made from 100% SFI-certified recycled fiber and are recyclable.
- We have reduced the size and weight of our boxes, in some cases by as much as 24%.
- We use 100% FSC-certified recycled and recyclable in-box kraft paper.
- We joined Canopy’s Pack4Good initiative to ensure that our paper and packaging supply chains are free of Ancient and Endangered forests.
Waste reduction
We’re using a reduction strategy to lower the amount of waste in our supply chain. This includes plans to eliminate unnecessary hangers on new products beginning in February 2021.
More impactful efforts
Our operations are packed with additional sustainable features, including energy-saving equipment and motion sensor lights in our distribution centers, and reusable water bottles for all new employees.