Patagonia PCR Clothing
To us, quality means more than how a garment looks or functions: It also includes the way it affects the environment and quality of life. This means working to source materials and develop processes that minimize damage to the environment.
In 1993, we adopted fleece into our product line made from post consumer recycled plastic soda bottles. We were the first outdoor clothing manufacturer to do so. PCR clothing was a positive step towards a more sustainable system, one that uses fewer resources, discards less and better protects people's health. Today, we use PCR fleece in about 31 products, and we've saved some 86 million soda bottles from the trash heap. That's enough oil to fill the 40-gallon gas tank of the diminutive Chevy Suburban 20,000 times.
This year, we're also pleased to report the addition of PCR filament yarn to some products in our line. PCR filament yarn contains 30-50% post-consumer feedstock - soda bottles, polyester uniforms, tents and garments. The remainder is post-industrial feedstock, which comes mostly from yarn and polymer factory waste products. With the addition of this new yarn, we can now make both lining and shell out of recyclable materials. It offers the same performance characteristics as virgin yarn at a competitive price with less environmental harm. It's available through Teijin Fiber Limited: www.teijin.co.jp.
We still have not hit the goal of creating a fully recyclable garment. We`re getting there. But until then, we will make clothes out of recyclables. And make them so they won`t soon be thrown away.
We encourage you to do your part to help the environment by buying only what is needed, wearing it out or passing it on to charities for redistribution.
Did You Know?
- Approximately 40 billion plastic bottles are produced annually in the U.S.
- About two-thirds of them end up in landfills.
- The amount of petroleum saved by using post-consumer recycled bottles instead of virgin materials in the manufacturing process is enough to power a city the size of Atlanta for a year.
Go to the Patagonia Clothing section of our On-line store to see our PCR products
