Sustainability
As a fashion company, we realize that what we do and how we do it is every bit as important as making styles that you love. That’s why we’re working toward more socially- and environmentally-responsible business practices that positively impact both people and the planet.
Reduced CO2 Emissions
The fashion industry is responsible for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. VENUS is working to reduce our emissions, seeking to achieve climate neutrality by:
Powering our ENERGY STAR®-certified company headquarters with over 2000 solar panels, as well as installing motion-sensor lights, low-flow water fixtures, UV blocking windows, ENERGY STAR® equipment and electric vehicle charging stations to make our facilities more energy efficient.
Choosing inbound transportation methods, such as sea transportation, that have less of an impact on the environment.
Participating in UPS’ Carbon Neutral Program since 2016 to offset our emissions.
Partnering with SeaTrees to balance our carbon emissions and helping them plant mangrove trees that store up to 10x more carbon than tropical forests.
Responsible Fabrics
Many of our garments are produced using either sustainably-sourced fibers or fibers produced through processes that respect and protect people, nature and animals.
Cotton Made in Africa (CmiA): By sourcing cotton through the CmiA initiative, we are able to add CmiA-verified cotton into the supply chain and support sustainable cotton cultivation with smallholder farmers in Africa. License fee proceeds from certified CmiA suppliers are given back to these farmers, helping them grow cotton in line with CmiA principles. CmiA, supported The Aid by Trade Foundation, ensures that farmers receive equal pay, learn more about protecting nature, and are trained in efficient and sustainable growing methods.
Organic Cotton: To grow organic cotton, no genetically modified seeds, fertilizers or hazardous pesticides are used. Avoiding these harmful chemicals supports the health of farmers and communities nearby, assuring access to clean water and food supplies without worrying about runoff contamination. The land and soil tend to have a longer lifespan and fertility, which means organic farmers have a longer-lasting cotton commodity. These methods support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, improve the quality of soil and often use less water.
Recycled Nylon: Nylon can be made from repurposed materials, such as fishing nets, carpets or post-industrial waste. These materials are diverted from the waste stream and are chopped up, ground, melted and processed into recycled fiber. This process uses less oil, produces less carbon emissions and results in fewer chemicals than creating virgin nylon.
Recycled Polyester: Polyester can be made from repurposed recycled materials, such as PET plastic bottles, old garments or fishing nets. Similar to nylon, these materials are diverted from the waste stream and are converted from processed chips into fiber through a process that conserves oil resources and produces fewer carbon emissions than creating virgin polyester.
LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose: Sustainable LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose is being produced by natural and renewable raw material from certified, sustainably-managed forests. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose production uses 50% less water and 50% less carbon emissions than generic viscose. LENZING™ and ECOVERO™ are trademarks of Lenzing AG.
Improved Supply Chains
VENUS follows the Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) code of conduct, focusing on 11 principles that ensure fair wages as well as health and environmental safeguards within production. To confirm compliance with our code of conduct, we evaluate our business partners and supply chain facilities and require them to adhere to responsible business practices that improve their social and ecological working conditions.
Sustainable Packaging and Paper
Not only are we being more responsible with our products, we also integrate sustainable materials in our packaging. Our shipping packages—including our cardboard boxes and mailer bags—are produced using at least 80% recycled content. Our cardboard boxes are also Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified, sourced from trees that are harvested responsibly to ensure the forests maintain their biodiversity and will be around for generations to come. By the end of 2023, 100% of our shipping packaging will be made from responsible materials.
To recycle VENUS mailer bags, first remove the paper label, then take them to a local drop-off location. Special recycling bins are often housed in grocery or department stores that process mailer bags and film plastic separately. It’s important you use these specialized bins rather than your home recycling container because plastic mailers cannot be processed through the machines at large recycling plants.
In addition to our packaging, we’re working toward using more responsible materials in our catalogs. We’re on track to print 100% of our catalogs on FSC-certified paper by 2025.
With every responsible choice we make, our goal is that you'll feel it in every stitch of what we do.