Crafted to be recycled at the end of their usable lives, The North Face Circular Design products minimize waste in a game-changing way.

TNF Circular Design — Photo: The North Face

Beginning with two collections, the launch includes a new labeling system for consumers and recycling partners, and is accompanied by a re-launch of The North Face take-back program (newly dubbed Renewed).

What is Circular Design?

The concept centres around four tenets: material choice, designed for cycle-ability, designing out waste and designing for durability.

Circular Design favours single-fiber materials and trims to make the garment easier to disassemble, and increase raw materials recovery for recycling.

The North Face renewedWomens 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket — Women’s 1996 TNF Nuptse Jacket, tuned up and offered through the Renewed program. Photo: The North Face

Consumers can now bring in both Circular Design products and other The North Face product, to drop off at The North Face stores in new Renewed Take-Back bins; XPLR Pass members are eligible to receive a $10 credit for returned gear, to use online or in-store.

Screen Shot 2022 10 27 at 9.09.29 PM — TNF Renewed items have No visible repairs. They’re All cleaned up and ready for the trails. Photo: The North Face

Returned items will be washed, tuned up and resold. If they can’t be repaired, The North Face will recycle or donate them, and Circular Design products will be recycled back into raw materials.

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We tried out a few pieces in the new Circular-Designed Alpine Polartec 200 series.

Alpine Polartec 200 Pants

Made from warm, recycled fleece, the Alpine Polartec 200 Pants (available for women or men) have a four-way stretch design and articulated leg seams for maximum mobility. An integrated adjustable belt helps provide the proper fit for the trails or the campfire. Sub them for long underwear for long, cold ski/snowboard sessions. And unlike previous fleeces, the Alpine Polartec 200 Pants feature an update to the traditional elastic cinch belt cord—now designed with mono-material fabric to allow for easier disassembly and re-use at the garment’s end of life.

The North Face Alpine Polartec 200 womens pant — Photo: The North Face

Alpine Polartec 200 Full-Zip Hooded Jacket

The Full-Zip Hooded Jacket (available for women or men) boasts four-way stretch, hem and hood adjustability, and 100% recycled materials designed to be reused and repurposed at the end of their lifecycle. We especially like the three-piece hood with woven overlays and drawcord. One example of Circular Design in action is the update to the traditional elastic cinch cords—now designed with mono-material fabric that allows for easier re-use and disassembly.

The North Face Alpine Polartec 200 top men green — Photo: The North Face

TIP: Wash these fleeces inside-out in cold water, gentle cycle, with Nikwax Polar Proof to prolong life, improve performance and avoid pilling.

100% Recycled Material

98 100 0 1

This sums up the new Circular Design program: not only are these fleeces made from recycled poly, they are designed to be recycled again at the end of a long garment life. This is a double win for both the consumer and for sustainability: not only is the fleece high-performing and full of premium features, you can also feel good wearing it, knowing you’re helping to reduce garment waste (a growing global crisis).

98/100

Total Score iLegend

The best