Patagonia
Since 1985, Patagonia has pledged 1% of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. They’ve awarded over $89 million in cash and in-kind donations to domestic and international grassroots environmental groups making a difference in their local communities. In 2002, founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, created a non-profit corporation to encourage other businesses to do the same.
1% for the Planet is an alliance of businesses that understand the necessity of protecting the natural environment. They understand that profit and loss are directly linked to its health, and are concerned with the social and environmental impacts of industry.
Patagonia’s Worn Wear and ReCrafted Collections address the issue of fashion as a disposable seasonal trend and the environmental impact garments have in landfills. Their Worn Wear operates by buying customers’ products back from them, provided they’re in good condition, in exchange for store credit. They also encourage customers to repair their items that may have been torn or damages. Their motto is “Buy Less, Repair More.”
“Repairing clothing and keeping gear in play as long as possible has been part of Patagonia’s business model since the 1970s. Today, Patagonia repairs more than 100,000 items each year in 72 repair centers globally and in Reno — where the company owns and operates the largest apparel repair center in North America.”
Their ReCrafted Collection takes worn-out damaged goods and transforms them into one-of-a-kind items. Thus, they are extending the life of garments that are no longer resale-able or repairable. The line includes vests, down jackets, and bags, carefully crafted in a workshop in Los Angeles.