Common Threads Garment Recycling
Patagonia and EveryWear Research shows that the environmental impact of recycling worn-out Capilene base layers into one new polyester fiber is significantly lower than making that same fiber from virgin materials. Taking into account that worn-out garments are diverted from trash incinerators, making new polyester fiber from recycled garments results in an energy savings of 76% and a CO2 emissions [greenhouse gasses] reduction of 71%, versus creating that fiber from new raw material.
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Patagonia utilizes the ECOCIRCLE™ recycling system from Teijin. here's how the process works at Teijin's facilities:
Collected garments are cut into small pieces. Zippers and buttons are separated from the fabric.
The fabric is granulated and formed into small pellets.
The pellets are broken down to the molecular level and purified to produce the raw material for polyester.
The raw material is polymerized and turned into polyester chips.
The chips are melted and spun into new filament fiber.
The fiber is used to make new polyester fabric.
Recycling old Patagonia base layers is easy. Simply wash it first and drop it off at EveryWear, your Patagonia retail store - ideally, while you're running other errands, to reduce environmental impact. While your there you can take advantage of a 15% discount on replacement Patagonia clothing too!!.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How the Program Works
When will Patagonia begin taking back worn-out garments for recycling?
The program is up and running. In Fall 2005, we began taking back worn-out Capilene® baselayers. In Winter 2007, we expanded the program to include more garments (see below).
What can be recycled?
• Patagonia fleece (including Synchilla® and Regulator® insulation)
• Polartec® fleece from other manufacturers
• Capilene baselayers
• Patagonia cotton T-shirts
Buttons, zippers and snaps do not need to be removed in advance. They come off in the recycling process.
To find a comprehensive list of this season’s garments that are recyclable via the Common Threads Recycling Program, simply enter “recyclable” into the online search field on Patagonia.com.
At what point should I return my worn-out clothing for recycling?
Once the garment is so worked that no one would ever wear it again, give it to us.
If my garment is more than 10 years-old, can it still be recycled?
We’ll take back clothing from any season, no matter how old.
Are Patagonia Body products recyclable (for instance, the Women’s Active Brief)?
Many of our Body products contain nylon, and therefore are not recyclable using our current technology.
Do I need to wash the garments before bringing or sending them in?
Yes, please. The garments need to be sanitary in order for our employees to accept them.
Can Patagonia accept clothing from other companies to be recycled?
We can accept Patagonia® fleece, Polartec® fleece clothing (from any maker), Patagonia cotton T-shirts, and now some additional polyester and nylon 6 products that come with a Common Threads tag. We hope other companies will initiate similar recycling programs so that even more garments can avoid the landfill.
For more information, please see:
http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/patagonia.go?assetid=1956
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