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Patagonia is one of our favorite brands in the shop. Not only because they make functional and cool pieces, but because Patagonia has put sustainability first and foremost since 1973. We have had Patagonia in the shop for a long time and are always keen to keep an eye on the brand's innovations. That's why we want to give you an overview of what exactly is behind Patagonia and its philosophy. Here you can find out how Patagonia implements its sustainability goals, what exactly it means that the earth is now its sole shareholder, and what else Patagonia has to offer besides being an outdoor brand.
Patagonia is known worldwide for its commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness. Since its founding, the company has consistently taken measures to minimize its ecological footprint and serve as a role model for other companies. From the very beginning, founder Yvon Chouinard had the vision of creating a space for greater sustainability and responsibility.
Patagonia uses a variety of strategies to achieve its sustainability goals, including using recycled materials, minimizing waste, and investing in renewable energy. You can even send your pieces to Patagonia for repair and resale.
Patagonia itself is the brand that produces outdoor clothing sustainably. There are also a few other projects that we would like to briefly introduce:
Patagonia Action Works is a platform that allows you to connect with local environmental groups and participate in events, petitions and volunteer opportunities in your area. You can also find information about German opportunities there.
→ Here you can find Patagonia Action Work
Patagonia Worn Wear is a project that helps Patagonia customers to take responsibility together. In concrete terms, this means extending the lifespan of products. There you can buy or re-buy many Patagonia pieces that you have already worn and you can have your broken items repaired free of charge. By the way, Patagonia has a patch kit that you can use to repair various items yourself.
→ Here you can find Patagonia Worn Wear
Patagonia Provisions creates food that helps fight the environmental crisis by farming and fishing in a sustainable way that regenerates and protects the planet. If you want to know more about it:
→ Here you can find Patagonia Provision
In addition to its projects, Patagonia also publishes its sustainability figures:
In the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, 96 percent of the materials were made with water-repellent chemicals without PFAS/PFCs. These are chemicals that contain fluorine and accumulate in the air, water, food and even our bodies, raising serious health concerns according to environmental agencies
85 percent of the apparel collection is Fair Trade certified. 66,000 workers benefit from this
In 2022 and 2023, Patagonia repaired and returned 83,794 garments to its customers
Since 2022, 34 percent of Patagonia's factories have paid a living wage
All new down used by Patagonia is 100 percent traceable
More than 2000 farms participate in the Regenerative Organic Certified Farming program
Since 2021, 1,419 tons of plastic waste have been fished out of the world's oceans and turned into clothing
The climate crisis affects us all, and Patagonia is working hard to radically reduce carbon emissions by changing the way they make their products. Showing all the numbers would be beyond the scope of this post, but if you're interested in more, we recommend checking out Patagonia.com .
Since its founding, i.e. for over 50 years, the brand has worked to produce products without harming people or the environment. Patagonia recognized early on that companies have a responsibility towards the environment. Since 1985, they have been donating "1% for the Planet". This means that 1 percent of their turnover is donated to environmental organizations that are committed to protecting nature. To do this, they rely on the use of recycled and organic materials. A large part of the product range is made of recycled polyester and organic cotton. But that's not all: they are also experimenting with new sustainable materials such as hemp and Yulex, a natural substitute for neoprene. The company attaches great importance to transparency in the supply chain. Patagonia publishes information about the production sites and ensures that the factories meet high environmental and social standards. In 2012, Patagonia became the first Benefit Corporation in California. In addition to profit, a Benefit Corporation has further defined corporate goals such as: a positive impact on society, employees, the general public and the environment.
In addition to donations and sustainable production, Patagonia also engages in activism through its advertising. In 2011, on Black Friday, they placed an ad in the New York Times with the slogan "Don't buy this jacket," with the aim of getting consumers to question their purchasing decisions on the day of action.
All in all, Patagonia is constantly setting new standards in the outdoor and clothing industry and inspiring other brands to become more sustainable as well. This makes Patagonia a first mover brand when it comes to sustainability in the outdoor industry.
A key aspect of sustainability at Patagonia is the quality of the products. High-quality outdoor equipment is durable and reduces the need for frequent new purchases. This is why Patagonia's collections are robust, functional and timeless apparel that lasts a long time. We have also had this experience with our Patagonia pieces.
Patagonia produces worldwide. Great importance is attached to fair working conditions and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. Patagonia enforces strict standards for its suppliers everywhere, using the four-pronged approach. All new and existing production facilities must meet standards in the areas of management, quality, environmental protection and social norms. If you are interested, you can also take a look at all the factories here .
Patagonia initially only developed products for climbing. But they now also produce apparel for skiing, snowboarding, surfing, mountain biking and trail running. And in terms of style, they have also won over some streetwear enthusiasts. The loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, T-shirts and warm winter jackets with the Patagonia logo are celebrated by a lot of different groups.
Did you know? The Patagonia logo shows the “Fitz Roy”. A granite mountain in the (almost) eponymous region of Patagonia between Argentina and Chile.
We are fans of all the pieces in our shop – what else ;-). But we have nevertheless selected five very special pieces that we particularly love from Patagonia:
PATAGONIA P-6 LOGO UPRISAL HOODIE
We can't have enough hoodies, so the Uprisal Hoodie has to be at the top. It's made from 55 percent recycled cotton and is Fair Trade certified.
Patagonia is known for its down jackets. They are made from 100 percent recycled nylon from reused fishing nets.
Patagonia's vests always come in really good color blocking, are super warm and comfortable, and perfectly round off any (hiking) outfit.
The Responsibili-Tee is the shirt with the smallest CO₂ footprint and is made from 100 percent recycled material
The Everyday Shots are super comfortable to wear and are made from a quick-drying fabric made from 95 percent nylon, 65 percent of which is recycled.
And if you're still wondering: What makes Patagonia different from other outdoor brands? We have the answer: It's the commitment to sustainability that sets the brand apart from the crowd. While many other brands use sustainability as a marketing strategy, for Patagonia it is a fundamental corporate principle that has been pursued and optimized for over 50 years.
A lot has happened in the last 50 years. Patagonia was founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, an avid climber and environmentalist. And this climber never actually wanted to be a businessman. At first, Chouinard made climbing gear just for himself and his friends. After entering the clothing industry, the team realized the magnitude of global warming and environmental degradation. That was the moment Patagonia decided to do everything differently. From the beginning, Chouinard has shaped a corporate culture based on simplicity, practicality and environmental responsibility. These principles have made Patagonia one of the leading sustainable outdoor brands. Chouinard himself says: "We are in business to save our home planet." This mission is reflected in all aspects of the company, from product development to marketing strategies. Patagonia sees itself as part of a global movement for environmental justice and sustainable development.
When the brand was founded in the 1970s, awareness of ethical consumption was nowhere near as high as it is today. As a result, Patagonia had to overcome many hurdles to achieve the ideal it was striving for. Today, consumer behavior has changed worldwide, and many fashion companies are following Patagonia's example by paying attention to sustainable production and ethical business models. But not nearly as strict as Patagonia, because in 2022 Yvon Chouinard announced: "the earth is now our only shareholder."
What happened to Patagonia? As mentioned, Patagonia has been donating one percent of its turnover to environmental organizations every year for around 30 years. In 2022, the company went a step further: 100 percent of the company's shares were transferred to the joint foundation Holdfast Collective (98 percent) and Patagonia Purpose Trust (2 percent). The Holdfast Collective is a non-profit organization with the goal of protecting nature. The funds for this come from Patagonia: all annual profits that exceed reinvestment in the company are distributed as dividends to the Holdfast Collective to combat the environmental crisis. And they continue to donate 1 percent of their turnover.
Over the last five decades, Patagonia has undergone impressive development. From the very beginning, Patagonia has focused on sustainability. This principle has made Patagonia a leading brand in the field of sustainable outdoor clothing.
We should all remember: the climate crisis is an existential threat to all of us. It is necessary to drastically reduce carbon emissions, which is why we love brands like Patagonia. And they are more than just a brand - they are a movement. Patagonia's commitment proves that economic success and positive environmental impact can go hand in hand.
Author: Asphaltgold |
