Patagonia
Environmentally Friendly Shopping this Season with Patagonia
For Americans, the holiday season is one of luxury and excess. We prepare extravagant meals, share drinks with family and friends, we hit the stores for the latest and greatest gifts of the season. We express our appreciation for others through the simple act of gift giving, but these well intentioned acts can have a lasting negative impact on our planet, by way of waste in packaging and production. If you’re on the hunt for a gift that will make both your loved one and the planet happy, then outdoor clothing company Patagonia is one of the best places to start.
Patagonia has been leading the clothing industry in environmentally conscious business practices for decades. Since 1985, Patagonia has implemented a self-imposed Earth Tax. This “tax” is comprised of 1 percent of sales from the company, which has amounted to over $89 million in cash and in-kind donations toward organizations that are working to defend our planet’s air, land, and water quality.
Recently, Patagonia has rolled out fresh products created with their revolutionary Regenerative Organic Cotton. This new way of farming is part of a new certification, the Regenerative Organic Certification. These processes, piloted by Patagonia for the last two years, work to create farming practices that are best for soil health, animal welfare, labor, and farmers. These practices require less land, and generate more yield than modern mainstream farming practices. Put simply? More goods can be grown with less of a negative impact on the health of our planet’s soil.
Learn more about Regenerative Organic Cotton Here
Let’s face it: apparel can be pretty wasteful. The production of clothing means energy use, water use, and the creation of waste. But that’s not to say that companies like Patagonia can’t reshape the way that clothing is produced into a more sustainable process. Through the farming of Regenerative Organic Cotton, Patagonia is creating clothing from a material that helps to improve the health of our Earth’s soil, instead of harming it.
But Regenerative Organic Cotton is just one way that Patagonia is working to create environmentally conscious goods that last. One standout piece for the fall season is the Nano Puff Jacket and the Nano Puff Hoody. To create these winter staples, Patagonia worked alongside PrimaLoft to develop a toasty insulation that uses the least amount of energy possible to produce. So what does this mean exactly? That the carbon footprint of these garments is 52 percent less than before. This new insulation is combined with a 100 percent recycled shell, liner, labels, and zipper tape to create a jacket that can let you feel as good about your purchase as you look.
With the holiday season quickly approaching, spending is inevitable. But with this spending comes an opportunity to seek out brands that are leading the charge in environmental sustainability in their products. Patagonia’s mission to protect our Earth by supporting the environment instead of profits is just why the Surf Station is proud to carry this industry-leading apparel.
Shop Patagonia Here!
