Patagonia Initiative Encourages Consumers to Consume Less
Ventura, Calif.–based Patagonia Inc. launched a new initiative to persuade customers to reduce consumption and its environmental impact by reducing the amount of products sent to an incinerator or a landfill.
“The Common Threads Initiative addresses a significant part of today's environmental problem—the footprint of our stuff,” said Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia's founder and owner. “This program first asks customers to not buy something if they don't need it. If they do need it, we ask that they buy what will last a long time—and to repair what breaks, reuse or resell whatever they don't wear any more. And, finally, recycle whatever's truly worn out.”
The outdoor and active-apparel brand has pledged to make product that lasts and to repair anything that breaks. Plus, the company partnered with eBay Inc. to launch a new marketplace for used Patagonia products. Patagonia's Common Threads Initiative store on eBay will encourage customers to buy and sell used Patagonia products anywhere on the giant auction site.Shoppers who list a used Patagonia product anywhere on eBay will be asked to become a partner in the Common Threads Initiative. Membership will allow the customer's listing to be featured in the Common Threads Initiative store on eBay and at www.patagonia.com. Patagonia will not receive any of the profits associated with the Common Threads Initiative storefront or any profits from the Common Treads store. The Common Threads store is eBay's first multi-seller branded store.
The partnership with Patagonia is part of eBay’s ongoing sustainability efforts. Last year, the company launched eBay Box to encourage customers to reuse packaging. The company also launched eBay Instant Sale to encourage customers to sell or recycle used electronics.—Alison A. Nieder
