Remember the three “R’s” we learned in elementary school as children? Recycle, Reuse and Reduce. The idea is a simple one and has made a vast impact on our society its waste management. So, why can’t we use the same idea when it comes to our apparel? Patagonia Inc. is an outdoor clothing company that has spent years trying to tackle the problem of wasted clothing. As of this fall, this green company has taken back over 12,000 kilograms of clothing to be recycled. Today, some 47% of Patagonia’s products are recyclable. However, Patagonia is not stopping there. By the end of 2010, their goal is to increase that percentage to one hundred, meaning that everything from their luggage to ski parkas will be both recyclable and/or made from recycled products. Patagonia realized that, in order to increase the supply of recycled materials for its own products, it needed to get other big apparel companies on the same page. About two years ago, Patagonia teamed up with its largest competitors, REI and Timberland, to mull over ideas to reduce all the companies’ environmental “footprints” through recycling in addition to other green methods. The basis behind Patagonia’s innovative idea sprung from their first recycling program back in 2005 (Common Threads) which began with modest goals. The effort began with encouraging people to mail in their used Capilene brand underwear made from polyester. Patagonia was then able to recycle these goods into new “base layer” shirts and pullovers. The rest is history. Patagonia is looking back in time to a simple and reliable idea and putting it to use to better the future. If plastic and newspapers can be recycled and reused, why can’t our clothing? Have YOU helped save the world today? For more information, visit: www.businessweek.com, www.pantagonia.comWant to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG
