Hanky Panky

Packaging

The brand’s products are packaged in 100% recycled paperboard boxes designed to be kept and reused (their iconic rolled thong packaging). Shipping materials are likewise easily recyclable, and their e-commerce boxes are printed with eco-friendly soy-based inks. Plastic is largely eliminated from consumer packaging, reflecting a near plastic-free approach with high recycled content.

Ingredient Sustainability

Overall, Hanky Panky has begun integrating more sustainable textiles (e.g. Supima® cotton, Lenzing-certified Modal and Lyocell, recycled nylon) into its product lines, while still relying on some conventional materials like virgin nylon and elastic spandex. Its lace is locally knitted and dyed in the NY/NJ area, which reduces transport impact, but virgin nylon and spandex (common in stretch lingerie) are resource-intensive synthetics. The brand touts using low-impact fiber-reactive dyes for its cotton jersey (free of toxic chemicals and using less water) and sources Lenzing™ Modal/viscose verified by CanopyStyle (forest-safe) and Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 in certain fabrics. These practices indicate a balance between sustainable and conventional inputs.

Energy Use and Footprint

Hanky Panky has taken meaningful steps to localize production, which inherently reduces its carbon footprint. The company has manufactured most of its products in the Northeast U.S. since 1977, cutting down on long-distance shipping and associated CO₂ emissions.

However, beyond localization, public transparency on carbon emissions is limited. We found no published carbon inventory or targets for emissions reduction, and no evidence of renewable energy use in factories or offices. There is also no indication that the company purchases carbon offsets or has achieved carbon neutrality.

Waste Management

The brand operates Lingeriecycle®, a take-back program (first piloted in 2008 and relaunched in 2022) that invites customers to send in old underwear for recycling. Collected items are sorted: metal components (hooks, underwires) are removed and recycled, and the fabrics are shredded and converted into secondary products like carpet padding or insulation. This initiative tackles a difficult waste stream (post-consumer undies, which typically can’t be donated) and reflects a commitment to closing the loop. Internally, Hanky Panky also recycles textile offcuts from production, partnering with a company (Green Tree) to turn cutting-room lace scraps into home insulation. These practices directly address manufacturing waste and product end-of-life, keeping materials out of landfills.

Business Model

As an intimates brand established over 40 years ago, Hanky Panky’s business model leans more toward slow fashion than fast fashion. The company’s success has been built on a few iconic, enduring styles. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, Hanky Panky offers a core collection of panties, bralettes, and sleepwear that it updates in new colors or prints, alongside occasional new silhouettes. The product launch cadence is moderate; for instance, the “ECO Rx™” sustainable line was a notable new collection, but such launches are infrequent. The brand does not appear to flood the market with constantly changing styles each week, nor does it deeply discount products to drive hyper-consumption (its pricing is premium, and sales are periodic but not incessant).

Hanky Panky’s materials are generally considered safe for human wear, with the brand taking steps to avoid the most harmful chemicals in its fabrics. For example, the dyes used on the “Cotton with a Conscience®” Supima cotton line are low-impact fiber-reactive dyes that contain no toxic azo colorants or heavy metals and require less water than conventional dyeing. Several of the brand’s fabrics are certified OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, indicating they have been tested to be free from a list of dangerous substances (their Italian-made BreatheSoft™ nylon microfiber and some Lenzing viscose fabrics carry this certification). The signature lace and other textiles being made in the U.S. and Europe also suggests compliance with stricter chemical regulations (e.g. no azo dyes that release carcinogenic amines, which are banned).

However, the brand has no comprehensive public chemical management policy. There’s no mention of a Restricted Substances List (RSL) or commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals (Good On You notes “no evidence it’s taking meaningful action to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in manufacturing”). Some materials are synthetics (nylon, spandex) that require chemical processing, and if not certified, could have residual finish chemicals.

Fair Labor

Hanky Panky states that domestic manufacturing “allows the company to monitor both the quality of their products in the factories and the working conditions”. The majority of Hanky Panky’s final stitching and assembly is done in the USA, which, while not without labor issues, is classified as a medium-risk country for labor abuse (better than many high-risk garment sourcing regions). That said, formal labor policies and transparency are somewhat limited. We found no published Supplier Code of Conduct on their website.

Animal Welfare

Hanky Panky’s products are essentially vegan. The brand does not use any animal-derived materials in its main collections.

Community Engagement

Hanky Panky engages with the community and broader social causes in several ways, though these efforts come across as heartfelt but somewhat broad. The company has a history of charitable giving: it has donated to organizations such as the American Red Cross, Girl Scouts, Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as to human rights, cancer research, and environmental groups like the World Wildlife Fund.