When the best in natural and organic materials isn’t good enough, Patagonia gets creative. The company regularly sends design engineers to work with and help suppliers invent environmentally sound fabrics. In many cases these fabrics are made from recycled materials.

Take for example Patagonia’s signature: fleece, Capilene base layers and Regulator insulation garments. All are made from various combinations of post consumer recycled plastic soda bottles, unusable second quality fabrics and worn out garments.

Patagonia Men’s El Cap Pants are made from recycled plastic.

There are many substantial benefits to making items out of recycled materials. For one, the process curbs discards, therefore reducing toxic emissions from incinerators while preventing the continued overflow of landfills. As landfills seep, this prevents the overall contamination of air, water and soil. Most notably, recycling post consumer plastic decreases dependence on oil.

Posted on April 14th, 2008 by Olivia Zaleski