Fast Fashion and the textile industry continue to be the biggest problems impacting the health of the global environment. There is an enormous amount of waste that is produced as a result of the apparel industry. To counteract this, sustainability principles have become the topic of discussion when contemplating which brands to support and patronize. Overproduction in the fashion industry leads to about 60 billion clothing items being sent to the landfill within a year of purchase (Clean Clothes Campaign, Waste and Pollution, n.d.). It also accounts for 10% of total carbon emissions worldwide and is one of the leading causes of plastic and water pollution globally. It takes approximately 2,000 gallons of water to construct one pair of jeans (United Nations, Climate and Environment, 2019). While clothing production and sales are on a steady incline, the average number of times consumers wear an item is declining. This has led to detrimental consequences for the planet and has been a push for consumers to shop ethically and brands to become more sustainable.
Patagonia is a brand that has always had values centered around consumer and environmentally friendly practices. Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, the company has amassed a global following with stores spanning across five continents. Patagonia has contracts with factories throughout 16 countries, including The United States. They subsequently joined the Fair Labor Association which ultimately prohibits child labor, forced labor various types of harassment and hazardous working conditions. One of their contracted factories in Texas employs disabled persons and is a key reason they continue to do business with this particular factory (Patagonia, Our Footprint Design, 2015). Their products are made by skilled sewing operators and these operators are paid the minimum or prevailing wage, whichever is higher.
American apparel companies are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that workers employed by the factories they contract work to, are treated fairly, ethically and are paid decent wages. They must also protect themselves against conditions or rulings that may be outlawed in other countries. When American textile businesses outsource their manufacturing and production needs to the global community, it is their responsibility to guarantee similar or the same working conditions that would be deemed legal in The United States. Patagonia in particular has added another aspect of sustainability through their āWorn Wearā initiative. Aside from buying new online, this gives their consumers the option to buy used, trade in or fix existing merchandise which cuts down on total carbon and water waste by 82% (Worn Wear, n.d.). They sell an assortment of products for men, women and children, across a variety of sports including kite fishing, climbing, mountain biking and surfing and ranging in price from $10 to $700. Patagonia has a very loyal customer base and most sales are from consumers overseas.
I am a patron of Patagonia products and am a fan of their utility pouches and bags in addition to their t-shirts, shorts and pants. I love their products and have had individual items for over three years. The craftsmanship of their products ensures durability and they stand behind their workmanship. I believe they adhere to their company values which include building the best product and causing no unnecessary harm.
References:
Enviro Editor. (2021, November 18). Patagonia Clothing: Made where? how? why? Patagonia. Retrieved March 5, 2022, from https://www.patagonia.com/stories/patagonia-clothing-made-where-how-why/story-18467.html
Mulhern, O. (2021, October 27). The 9 essential fast fashion statistics: Earth.org – past: Present: Future. Earth.Org – Past | Present | Future. Retrieved March 5, 2022, from https://earth.org/data_visualization/the-9-biggest-fast-fashion-statistics/
Portela, V. (2021, March 9). The fashion industry waste is drastically contributing to climate change. CALPIRG. Retrieved March 6, 2022, from https://calpirg.org/blogs/blog/cap/fashion-industry-waste-drastically-contributing-climate-change#:~:text=A%20lot%20of%20the%20clothing,up%20thrown%20away%20to%20landfills.
Staff. (2022, February 16). 35 ethical and sustainable clothing brands betting against Fast Fashion. The Good Trade. Retrieved March 4, 2022, from https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/fair-trade-clothing
Villemain, C. (2019, March 25). Un launches drive to highlight environmental cost of staying fashionable | | UN news. United Nations. Retrieved March 5, 2022, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1035161
Better than new. Worn Wear. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2022, from https://wornwear.patagonia.com/?utm_source=patww
Fair Labor Association. Code of Conduct | Fair Labor Association. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2022, from http://www.fairlabor.org/our-work/labor-standards
Our company history – Patagonia. Patagonia Outdoor Clothing & Gear. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2022, from https://www.patagonia.com/company-history/
Our core values – Patagonia. Patagonia Outdoor Clothing & Gear. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2022, from https://www.patagonia.com/core-values/
Waste and pollution. Clean Clothes Campaign. (2021, August 16). Retrieved March 6, 2022, from https://cleanclothes.org/fashions-problems/waste-and-pollution
I, 100%, agree that fast fashion IS the main issue in the fashion industry and that itās at the core of most of the other issues throughout the industry. Essentially, if we were going to create a rudimentary bubble graph every branch of abuse, poor working conditions, deforestation, massive surplus of waste, inhumane treatment of our fellow man, global warming, etc. Of course there are other industries that compound the issues, but even including other industries, I believe fast fashion is one of the major environmental violators and a culprit within other industries. Transportation and electric production are probably the largest industries that cause global warming land fast fashion relies heavily on both industries to function. Companies like Patagonia that attempt to lessen their carbon footprint are essential to continue at chipping away at the environmental damage we have plagued this earth with.
It’s true, there definitely are other industries that compound the issue but fashion is an industry that everyone in the world utilizes, regardless of social standing and/or income. The only people that would be exempt are nudists. For anyone wearing clothes and in a position to buy new, the conscious decision has to be made to prevent overconsumption. If consumers start buying less disposable clothing a.k.a fast fashion and invest in well constructed and ethically sourced clothing, less waste would occur. Eventually, consistency will help mitigate these effects over time.
I definitely agree with everything you said. My point was that fast fashion has touched more than I think some people tend realize. While everyone may not use transportation or even electricity, fast fashion consumption of both are excessive. Every company that does their part to combat the problem with help extend the lifespan of earth, essentially.
This is very true and I like how you think of the totality of the issue. To add on, I would say that simply cutting back on these costs and emissions are not enough. Companies that produce clothing in America will have fewer transportation costs and lesser electricity usage however if consumers don’t stop the need for overconsumption, nothing will change. Buying 20 white t-shirts in one year causes the same harm whether made in America or overseas. I think the goal should be to simply produce and buy less.
That’s where the changing people’s minds about unnecessary overconsumption, and making “enoughness” appear hip instead, comes in. Instead of someone like Tiffany Haddish (an A-list celebrity) making it appoint to rewear her infamous white Alexander McQueen dress (8 times thus far) being the rare exception to the “Hollywood” unwritten rule, maybe it’s time the rest of the industry follow her lead. While it’s become a long running joke, celebrities rewearing and restyling garments can begin to change people’s perception. Something like that in addition to supporting American companies. particularly ones that are actively working on limiting, and/or eliminating, their carbon footprint will begin to make a huge difference.
This is so true and people think what she’s doing is revolutionary. Imagine wearing your own clothes more than once being considered rebellious. I wear some of my favorite things until they start falling apart. When the craftsmanship is there, it shouldn’t be a problem.
hi, Andy great post by you. I also wrote about Patagonia I think they are great company and doing great things at the same time. The company that are willing to give back to the world will make better business.
Hey Lifeng, I agree with you, I think their mission is admirable and they take small steps towards a huge goal. Do you purchase their products? If so, in your opinion, what do you think of the craftsmanship?
Hi Andy,
Great post. Joining the Fair Labor Association is an incredible step for the brand. We don’t stop to think about it very often but we should only purchase clothes with this Fair Labor label. It’s the way to end the existence of sweatshops. The brand is committed to creating a better world and that’s actually what we all want but take little action towards it.
Hello Andy, I really enjoyed reading your post and honestly had no idea that this brand was one of the sustainable brands. It surprised me because it has been around for so long and I have worn it for so many years. It was interesting reading about Patagonia because I learned that this brand had cut its water consumption while simultaneously reducing its energy and emissions footprint. I like the fact patagonia is transitioning to 100 percent renewable and recycled raw materials.