No, Hanes is not a classic fast fashion brand. Its focus on durable, basic essentials like t-shirts and underwear sets it apart from trend-driven companies that release new styles weekly. However, its high-volume, low-cost production model shares some similarities with fast fashion.
The brand's ethical and sustainability practices are mixed, showing some foundational commitments but falling significantly short in key areas. While Hanes has some certifications and waste-reduction initiatives, it faces criticism for low wages in its supply chain, a lack of transparency, and a heavy reliance on conventional materials. Here’s a closer look at Hanes' practices.
While Hanes is not a trend-replicating fast fashion brand like Zara or SHEIN, its business model incorporates several practices common in the high-volume apparel industry.
Hanes has made public commitments to ethical manufacturing and holds some certifications, but its practices are inconsistent and lack transparency. There are documented issues within its supply chain that raise serious ethical concerns.
Hanes utilizes third-party audits and certifications from organizations like the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) in many of its facilities. Despite this, reports from human rights organizations have highlighted significant worker rights issues. A 2021 Human Rights Watch report noted that some supplier factories in Haiti paid workers around $180 per month, well below the estimated local living wage of $290 per month. Additionally, workers in some facilities reportedly face excessive 60-70 hour workweeks.
Hanes offers very limited supply chain transparency. The company does not publish a comprehensive list of its factories or detailed findings from its audits, making it difficult for consumers and watchdog groups to independently verify its claims. While its certifications are a positive step, they do not apply to all of its facilities.
Hanes scores well on animal welfare as its core products are made from cotton, polyester, and other synthetic fibers. The brand does not use fur, leather, or other animal-derived materials in most of its apparel and does not conduct animal testing on its finished products.
Hanes’ sustainability efforts do not match the scale of its massive environmental footprint. The company relies heavily on conventional, resource-intensive materials and has yet to set ambitious, science-based targets for improvement.
The brand's primary materials are conventional cotton and polyester. According to its 2022 sustainability report, only 10-15% of its fabric inputs include recycled polyester. Hanes does not publicly disclose the percentage of organic or sustainably sourced cotton it uses, though industry estimates suggest it is minimal. This reliance on conventional materials contributes to high water usage, pesticide pollution, and dependence on fossil fuels.
Hanes has implemented some measures to reduce water consumption, such as ozone bleaching, but has not released specific data on overall water reduction. The brand’s global supply chain is powered largely by fossil fuels, and comprehensive emissions data across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 are not publicly available.
While Hanes operates a take-back program ("Hanes Recycle") that accepts used clothing, it is not a core part of its business model and participation is limited. The brand does not offer repair services or wide-scale resale programs to extend the life of its products. Information on how manufacturing and deadstock waste are managed is not disclosed.
Hanes has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 20% by 2025 but has not committed to science-based targets aligned with the Paris Agreement. The brand has not achieved any major environmental certifications, like B Corp or Climate Neutral status.
Hanes' scale as a global apparel producer gives it a major responsibility to protect workers and the planet. However, its current efforts are moderate at best and are not sufficient to counteract the negative impacts of its large-scale business model.
Hanes earns a C because it meets some basic industry standards with certifications like WRAP and participation in the Fair Labor Association. However, progress is overshadowed by documented reports of sub-living wages and excessive working hours in parts of its supply chain. A lack of comprehensive transparency on factory locations and audit results makes it impossible to verify that fair labor conditions are being met universally.
Hanes receives a D+ for sustainability due to its heavy reliance on conventional materials, lack of ambitious climate targets, and limited circularity programs. While the company has taken some small steps to reduce its environmental impact, these efforts are not yet meaningful or widespread. The sheer volume of non-sustainable products it produces severely undermines its current sustainability initiatives.
If Hanes' ethical and environmental shortcomings are a concern, here are some better alternatives offering basic essentials with a much stronger commitment to people and the planet.
Pact specializes in affordable GOTS-certified organic cotton basics, with prices for t-shirts and underwear ($10-$30) comparable to Hanes. The brand is committed to Fair Trade certified factories, ensuring workers are paid fair wages and have safe working conditions.
Shop now at wearpact.com
A certified B Corp, Organic Basics focuses on high-quality underwear and activewear made from sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled fibers ($30-$60). They operate with full supply chain transparency and work exclusively with certified factories paying living wages.
Shop now at organicbasics.com
Everlane offers modern basics ($20-$50) with a model of "radical transparency," publishing details about its factories and production costs. The brand has goals to eliminate virgin plastics and uses a significant amount of recycled and certified materials in its collections.
Shop now at everlane.com
Though pricier ($35-$70 for tops), Patagonia is a leader in ethical and sustainable practices. As a B Corp, this brand uses predominantly recycled and organic materials, guarantees Fair Trade production in its factories, and offers an industry-leading repair and take-back program.
Shop now at patagonia.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree offers basics and collections ($40-$80) made from organic and biodegradable fibers. The brand is Fair Trade certified, champions fair wages, and supports artisan communities through its transparent supply chain.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Hanes can generally be considered a better option than ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein because its products are designed as durable staples rather than disposable-quality trends. However, Hanes shares some of the same ethical and environmental problems, including a non-transparent supply chain and a large environmental footprint.
Hanes has started incorporating some sustainable materials, but they make up a small fraction of their total production. Most notably, about 10-15% of its fabrics include recycled polyester. The use of more sustainable fibers like organic cotton is not currently a major part of its strategy.
It's mixed. While many Hanes facilities have WRAP or FLA certifications, which enforce certain safety standards, independent reports have flagged issues in some supplier factories. These include wages below living standards and excessive work hours, indicating that safe and fair conditions are not guaranteed across its entire supply chain.
Hanes keeps its prices low through exceptionally high-volume production, manufacturing in countries with low labor costs, and using inexpensive conventional materials like non-organic cotton and virgin polyester. This mass-market model prioritizes affordability and scale over sustainable materials or paying higher, living wages to workers.
