Patagonia Expands Recycled-Fabric Program
Ventura, Calif.–based outdoor-apparel maker Patagonia Inc. has expanded its Common Threads Recycling Program to include Polartec products and cotton T-shirts.
The program, launched in 2005, initially called for used Capilene base layers—or long underwear—made by Patagonia, or any other manufacturer, to be returned to the company to be recycled into new products.
Since the launch, Patagonia has collected and recycled more than 1,000 pounds of Capilene base layers, saving the used garments from ending up in landfills or incinerators. According to Patagonia, the program has already reduced its reliance on resources such as petroleum. The company said the environmental impact of breaking down polyester-based fabrics from used clothing to make new polyester fiber is less than making the fiber from virgin materials. Patagonia said the process of making polyester from recycled materials can contribute to an energy savings of 76 percent and reduced CO2 emissions, or greenhouse gasses, of 71 percent.
Beginning at the end of January, Patagonia began collecting Polartec-branded apparel, Patagonia fleece and Patagonia T-shirts for recycling.
Patagonia was an early advocate of organic cotton and fleece made from recycled soda bottles. The recycled fleece launched in 1993, and, three years later, the company began using organic cotton exclusively in its collection. The company also has an Environmental Grants Program, which, since its 1985 launch, has contributed more than $26 million to grassroots environmental programs.
For more information about Patagonia’s environmental initiatives, visit www.patagonia.com/recycle. —Alison A.Nieder
