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
