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Textile waste is the single largest type of waste entering landfills. Patagonia, a leader in sustainable fashion, is trying to reduce that impact by helping people send textiles out of circulation by recycling them.
Patagonia’s recycling program is referred to as the Worn Wear program. And a quick summary; Patagonia takes back used and old Patagonia clothing and repairs and reuses or recycles and resells it to give it a second life.
In addition, customers who bring in their used Patagonia clothing for repair or recycling can receive a $20 voucher to use towards their next purchase of Patagonia products.
Patagonia Worn Wear Program
The truth is clothing production has increased in the past decade and moreover, there are more people who have easy access to new clothing than ever before.
However, the amount of clothing that is recycled is not growing at the same rate, and In fact, most clothing ends up in landfills because it is worn to its end of life and cannot be repaired or donated. Now many brands are following in Patagonia’s footsteps that are working to help reduce the amount of clothing headed for landfills. The Worn Wear program is Patagonia’s effort to reduce its environmental footprint by recycling old clothing or repairing them.
Their goal is to repair and resell the pieces rather than throw them away to avoid them letting getting to the landfill and thanks to Patagonia’s Worn Wear Program.
In addition, the fashion brand is working towards extending the life of garments for as long as possible. This includes creating high-quality garments that last long enough that they create a brand legacy to be a quality-made brand.
How to recycle a Patagonia item
When we’re buying new clothes, we’re accustomed to thinking about how long they will last. However, we should also consider where they will end up at the end of their life.
Global textile waste is set to rise to a soaring 60% until the year 2030 and once in landfill, they release greenhouse gas emissions like methane, which is 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
The Worn Wear Program is a way to decrease the amount of clothing in landfills and lessen greenhouse gas emissions by repairing or recycling garments. It ensures old and unwanted clothes are not just tossed out but recycled and reused over and over again.
Patagonia items that are worn out or reached the end of their life can be recycled and returned to the market.
How to Participate in the Worn Wear program
There are two ways to recycle Patagonia products. For starters, you can simply drop off the items at any of their retail stores or one of their service centers. It’s recommended to wash all the items before dropping them off for recycling.
Secondly, mail your Patagonia clothing to the company’s service center. You’ll easily find the address at Patagonia.com, but just make sure the items are clean, dry and intact; shoes should be in their original box to be reused by the next person.
What items are accepted in the Worn Wear program:
| Accepted Items | Not Accepted Items |
|---|---|
| Patagonia jackets, fleeces, and vests | Clothing from other brands |
| Patagonia pants and shorts | Non-apparel items (e.g. hats, bags, etc.) |
| Patagonia shirts and tops | Items that are heavily soiled, torn, or damaged |
| Patagonia baselayers and accessories | Items with mold or mildew |
Patagania not accept your donation
If Patagonia’s Worn Wear program does not accept your donation, there are still other ways to keep your clothing out of the landfill:
- Donate it to a local thrift store or charity organization.
- Give it to a friend or family member who can use it.
- Sell it online or at a second-hand store.
- Repurpose it into something new, such as a rag or a cushion cover.
Why you should recycle clothing
When your Patagonia garments have reached the end of their lifecycle, they can be recycled and used again which prolongs the life of a product and creates a positive impact on the environment.
As mentioned earlier, textile production is a big contributor to climate change because of the harmful chemicals and dyes used to make clothing. As we mentioned earlier, damaged and worn-out clothes are one of the biggest issues in landfills and release harmful gases.
The Worn Wear program has helped Patagonia reduce their environmental impact by rewarding participants with $20 for qualifying garments. Once the clothes are collected and are ready to be recycled, they are sent back to the brand’s product development team which assesses if the garments can be resold. The product development team will repair worn fabrics, replace zippers and buttons, update graphics or wash worn garments in order to restore old ones.
If the product is worn out and cannot be repaired, it will be recycled.
Final Thoughts
Patagonia’s Worn Wear program is a great way for the brand to reduce environmental impacts by repairing and reselling used clothing rather than letting it go to waste.
The materials used in Patagonia products are also sourced responsibly, which means they will last longer and be made with a variety of sustainable materials. Patagonia is a brand that cares about our environment because they’re looking to reduce its carbon footprints.
FAQs
Can I return old Patagonia?
You can return Patagonia items to any one of the store locations or drop off the clothes via mail. However, the items must be clean and completely dry.
What makes Patagonia pieces unique?
Patagonia brand’s designs are distinct because they focus on functionality. They also have a clear mission statement in mind every time they create new products. The design team is led by creative directors who work specifically on new product designs.
What is Patagonia’s Worn Wear Program?
The Worn Wear program is Patagonia’s way of extending the life of used garments. It’s a way to reduce the growing amount of waste in landfills and give garments another chance to be worn and loved.
