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Created almost 50 years ago, the Patagonia brand is a reference in the design and marketing of clothing for outdoor activities and extreme sports. Having quickly become aware of the impact of business activities on the environment, the company quickly took up the challenge of defending and preserving it. Through multiple commitments and concrete achievements, the company has become a major eco-responsible brand. Before revealing Patagonia's impact on the environment, we will discuss the history of this famous brand.
Created in 1972 by Yvon Chouinard, a passionate climber and hiker, the Patagonia company's objective was to offer equipment and clothing for climbing and outdoor activities amateurs and professionals. Yvon's passion for climbing dates back to his teenage years. A period during which the available equipment was not always adapted to the practice of this sport.
Indeed, this American from Maine quickly realized that his equipment lacked solidity. He then decided to make his own reusable equipment. Working with Tom Frost, an aeronautical engineer and professional climber, in 1965 he created "Chouinard Equipment", a company specializing in the production of steel pitons.
This equipment will know towards the end of the 60's a huge success. This made the company one of the leading suppliers of climbing equipment in the United States. Concerned about the quality of his products and their ecological footprint, the founder of the company decided to abandon the production of steel pitons in favor of another more environmentally friendly material.
In 1972, he revolutionized the market by producing aluminum studs that were lighter, stronger and more functional, and whose production resulted in a smaller carbon footprint. Surfing on this new wave of success, the company decided to combine this "clean climbing" equipment with the manufacture of ethical climbing clothing.
This new policy based on sustainable development gave birth to the "Patagonia" project. Chouinard Equipment then dedicated itself to the production of climbing equipment while Patagonia is in charge of the design of clothing made from organic cotton and recycled materials.
Patagonia's involvement in environmental causes began in the early 1970s with actions in support of the various ecological events of the time. Aware of the effects of global warming, the brand decided in 1975 to use recycled materials in the production process of its clothing.
However, it was not until 1985 that this involvement in environmental protection was made official by the brand. To take its commitment even further, Patagonia announced that it would henceforth devote 10% of its pre-tax earnings to supporting environmental associations.
Three years later, the brand launched its first support campaign by defending a de-urbanization project in the Yosemite valley. After that, it announced that it would invest 1% of its annual revenue each year to support actions to protect the environment.
In 1992, the company carried out studies on the quality of the raw materials used and their impact on the environment. As a result, the conventional cotton used by the brand will now be replaced by organic cotton, which is considered healthier and more environmentally friendly.
The brand also took advantage of the results of this study to favor the use of recycled polyester, in order to reduce the effects of pollution and therefore reduce their impact on the planet. These materials have also allowed Patagonia's products to be carbon-labeled for the sake of transparency.
Since the creation of the brand and the beginning of its sponsorship program, Patagonia has donated more than $100 million, both financial and in-kind, to more than 1,000 environmental associations. The missions of these organizations were to fight global warming and raise awareness of the ecological footprint left by waste.
To limit its carbon footprint on the environment, the brand has been committed for decades to producing eco-responsible clothing. Patagonia has revolutionized the way climbers and outdoor activities are dressed by offering eco-friendly clothing made from materials such as organic cotton. All have a carbon label.
Patagonia's clothes are made with recycled fibers and materials that respect the environment. This implies the use of raw materials that come exclusively from organic farming.
The production therefore excludes the use of GMOs and materials using pesticides and favors the use of materials such as organic cotton for example. In addition, the brand wishes to reduce environmental exploitation by using factory waste such as plastic bottles in the manufacturing stages of these articles. A nice way for Patagonia to fight against the climate crisis that threatens the planet.
Patagonia's design process excludes chemical treatments for its garments. These traditional techniques are indeed known to be very polluting for the air and water. On the contrary, Patagonia invests in the use of recycled fibers and in the transformation of waste such as plastic bottles. The brand also participates in the entire manufacturing cycle, from the design to the recycling of its articles.
Through the "Worn Wear" program, the brand also offers its customers the opportunity to repair their clothing rather than make new purchases. Launched in 2016, this program allows customers to keep their clothes for long periods of time, thus avoiding systematic new purchases. This initiative contributes to "Slow fashion" or responsible fashion, another way to limit mass production.
The Patagonia brand recently received the title of "Champion of the Earth", a global environmental award from the United Nations. This prestigious award recognizes the brand for its commitment to sustainable development and its dynamic policy that has always prioritized the protection of the planet's fragile resources.
With this award, the brand's entrepreneurial vision has also been recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It should also be added that the company's actions against the environmental policy of former U.S. President Donald Trump and the fight against the climate crisis had a major influence on the UNEP's decision.
Since Donald Trump's election as president, the brand has made it a point of honor to defend its ideals more vigorously. Patagonia has also invested in numerous programs and initiatives, such as the promotion of nutritional labelling, designed to encourage healthy consumption while promoting responsible fashion. Nutrition labelling is the obligation to provide information on the nutrients contained in certain consumer products.
Among these programs, we can also mention the "Common Thread" partnership whose objective is to promote the recycling of used clothing. Thanks to this agreement, the brand is committed with eBay to offer second-hand models to customers in order to give them a second life. It is an initiative that teaches future generations how to avoid waste.
Today, the company's founder says he is proud of the work he has accomplished for nearly half a century. He also encourages other companies to follow Patagonia's example and make the defense of the environment an everyday commitment. An ecological fight that he considers essential to offer a better future to future generations.
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