Patagonia champions sustainable Next Gen packaging initiative
If you know anything about the outdoor apparel brand Patagonia, you’ll know they’re all about uncovering new sustainability initiatives. Well, the brand is taking that one step further by joining Pack4Good, a sustainable packaging initiative from Canopy.
Canopy, a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting forests, species and climate, has been on a mission to eliminate the destruction of Ancient and Endangered Forests caused by the production of viscose textiles since 2013.
Since its initial partnership with Canopy, Patagonia has shifted the viscose and rayon supply chain, being among the first brand leaders to source exclusively from producers rated as "green shirt" in Canopy’s annual Hot Button Report.
Next up on the list? Next Generation packaging. Paper packaging (think delivery boxes, hang tags and shoe boxes) is responsible for 3.1 billion trees being logged annually, many from climate-critical forests. Patagonia is now focusing on packaging solutions that come from more sustainable sources, such as agricultural waste, instead of trees.
This new partnership marks a commitment to ensure none of Patagonia’s packaging comes at the expense of the world’s most climate-critical forests.
Jennifer Patrick, Packaging and Branding Director at Patagonia, said: "Patagonia is excited to announce its partnership with Canopy’s Pack4Good initiative.
"As part of our goal to build the best product and constantly improve everything we do, we are taking steps to review and develop new, more-responsible packaging materials in partnership with Canopy."
Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy, added: "We are so pleased to be welcoming Patagonia to the Pack4Good family.
"This commitment comes at a crucial time when the need for low-carbon alternatives to forest-based packaging is more pressing than ever. By supporting the scale-up of Next Gen materials, Patagonia is not only contributing to the preservation of Ancient and Endangered Forests, it is leading the outdoor apparel sector towards a more sustainable future."
This isn't Patagonia's first foray into sustainable initiatives. Last July, the brand introduced a new online returns portal to encourage the industry and consumers to partake in a circular fashion economy.
