Sunlit forest with dense green trees overlooking a calm lake and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

Our Sustainability Efforts

Crafting for the future

L.L.Bean is committed to ensuring sustainable and responsible practices across our business, from the materials and vendors we work with to the causes we support.

Our Sustainability Efforts

Crafting for the future

L.L.Bean is committed to ensuring sustainable and responsible practices across our business, from the materials and vendors we work with to the causes we support.

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

We’re constantly pursuing smarter, more sustainable ways to craft our products—starting with the raw materials.

Eliminating PFAS

We have successfully transitioned to PFAS-free durable water repellent (DWR) alternatives in the manufacturing of L.L.Bean labeled products as of Fall 2024.

Use 100% Responsible Down

We use 100% Responsible Down in all down products to help eliminate unethical animal practices.

Contributed $150K to PFAS research

We funded the L.L.Bean PFAS Solutions Research Program at the University of Maine through a $150,000 post-doctoral endowment to identify remediation solutions.

Committed to the Use of Preferred Materials

As of 2025, 87% of our outerwear and 61% of Activewear use preferred materials—like recycled polyester and organic cotton—to help reduce environmental impact and enhance sustainability.

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

We’ve evolved our packaging—using fewer materials, lowering our carbon footprint, and making choices that are better for the environment.

Point on the timeline

2025

We began piloting a curbside recyclable alternative to plastic unit packaging for inbound shipments received from our apparel suppliers, furthering our commitment to sustainable packaging across the supply chain.

Since 2022, we have eliminated 5.2 million pounds of single- use plastic packaging by shipping products from our fulfillment center in sustainably- sourced paper materials.

Point on the timeline

2024

We installed automated paper packaging machines allowing us to fully eliminate all plastic from outbound packaging from our fulfillment center.

Point on the timeline

2023

We made significant design improvements to the paper packaging.

Point on the timeline

2022

Paper mailers were introduced into our outbound packaging process, making a shift toward more sustainable materials.

Point on the timeline

Before 2022

We used polyethylene mailer bags for outbound consumer packaging. These bags were recycled into composite materials, while our corrugated cardboard was repurposed into paper products.

*More than 95% of llbean.com orders are shipped in bags or boxes sourced from suppliers that are certified by Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

2025

Point on timeline

We began piloting a curbside recyclable alternative to plastic unit packaging for inbound shipments received from our apparel suppliers, furthering our commitment to sustainable packaging across the supply chain.

Since 2022, we have eliminated 5.2 million pounds of single-use plastic packaging by shipping products from our fulfillment center in sustainably-sourced paper materials.

2024

Point on a timeline

We installed automated paper packaging machines allowing us to fully eliminate all plastic from outbound packaging from our fulfillment center.

2023

Point on timeline

We made significant design improvements to the paper packaging.

2022

Point on timeline

Paper mailers were introduced into our outbound packaging process, making a shift toward more sustainable materials.

Before 2022

Point on timeline

We used polyethylene mailer bags for outbound consumer packaging. These bags were recycled into composite materials, while our corrugated cardboard was repurposed into paper products.

*More than 95% of llbean.com orders are shipped in bags or boxes sourced from suppliers that are certified by Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

SUSTAINABLE FOOTPRINTS

Every step we’re taking is designed to reduce carbon emissions—from how we make our products to how we deliver them.

Eliminated 87% of Waste

In 2024, we recycled 87% of waste in our Maine facilities, significantly reducing our environmental impact.

Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 50%

By the end of 2025, we will have reduced our US owned and controlled Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 50% from 2019.

Renewable Energy in Maine

We have committed to invest in renewable energy across the U.S., like solar and wind projects, totaling 100% of our Maine electricity use in 2025.

Greener Building

We are implementing sustainable construction practices for the build-out of our new flagship campus in Freeport, including mass timber construction, sustainable finishes, and energy efficient systems.

25% Reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030

To achieve that 2030 goal, we are actively engaged with other brands as part of the Climate Action Corps of the Outdoor Industry Association. Current and recently completed projects include:

- Thermal heat decarbonization tool for suppliers, currently working on active training

- University study to quantify the sustainability impacts of product durability

- Apparel Impact Institute’s “Carbon Leadership Program” to reduce emissions across supply chain

- Increasing the use of preferred materials each year across our L.L.Bean branded products

- Performing life cycle analyses of products to identify emissions reduction opportunities in manufacturing

SUSTAINABLE PARTNERS

Along with sourcing the right materials, we choose partners that share our dedication to crafting the best products with minimal environmental impact. Here are just some of our key partners

“My great-grandfather L.L. was a conservationist, understanding the connection between the joy of the outdoors and the need to protect our precious resources. Land access and preservation has always been one of L.L.Bean's core values.”

Shawn Gorman, Executive Chairman of the Board and Great-Grandson of L.L. Bean

Related Stories