Bamboo Becomes Rayon Bamboo is the fastest-growing woody plant in the world, capable of growing up to four feet a day. Most of it is grown organically (though very little is certified organic), and in … continue
On Bamboo And Rayon
Footprint Chronicles
Build the best products and cause no unnecessary harm. This is our mission. Yet we’re keenly aware that everything we do as a business– or have done in our name– leaves its mark on the environment. There is still no such thing as a sustainable business but every day we take steps to lighten our footprint and do less harm.
The footprint Chronicles allows you to track the impact of a specific Patagonia product from design through delivery.
On PLA and Corn
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a polymer similar to polyester that can be melt-spun into fiber for textiles. The appeal of PLA is that it is made from annually renewable resources and that it is biodegradable. … continue
Green Business Practices
Patagonia is often asked by other businesses what they can do to make their practices more environmentally friendly. The frequency of this question inspired us to create a document that would offer guidance. Below is … continue
Methodology for Environmental Cost Calculations
The Footprint Chronicles reports on the results of Patagonia’s efforts to track key environmental issues across our products’ supply chains. We have chosen to focus our efforts on a wide range of styles that we … continue
Baselayer Packaging: The Good and the Bad
The first Capilene® Underwear (circa 1985) came packaged in red, white and blue polyethylene bags with attached handles and red, white and blue graphic inserts. The objective was to protect the product and keep it … continue
Paper Use and Procurement Policy
“Make the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” There’s not a lot of wiggle room in it, and it guides our every move – … continue
References
Cashmere Hoody Wool Carding and Scouring Barber, Andrew., and Glenys Pellow. “Life Cycle Assessment: New Zealand Merino Industry – Merino Wool Total Energy Use and Carbon Dioxide Emissions.” The AgriBusiness Group. 2006. Down Sweater Geese … continue
Customer Care
What can you do to minimize further environmental impact as you take care of your Patagonia products? All laundry products drain to a waterway, eventually. It might be an ocean, a river or a neighborhood … continue
