Patagonia Celebrates 10 Organic Years
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 10. 4.06
One of our all-time favorites, Patagonia, is celebrating 10 organically-grown years in 2006. We received an email from them with the announcement stating that in 1996 it was a risk for them to make the switch to 100% organic cotton. From the email:
"Going organic was a difficult decision for us – ethically it made perfect sense, but it was expensive and hard to come by. Today, thanks to you our friends and customers, we're still selling organic cotton clothing and more and more businesses are making the switch because you voted with your dollars."
We love to see that they are still going strong. And although more companies are indeed switching to organic cotton, Patagonia still has the niche in that their quality and vision still remain the same as it did 10 years ago. See their fall line. ::Patagonia
This is a great milestone- but I think it is a little reckless for Treehugger to lavish such praise on a company that is at the forefront of the PET textile industry. The research is in: that stuff is no good (see Cradle to Cradle). Maybe Patagonia should be less of a figurehead, and more of a pioneer. Why not explore the use of more sustainable resources, like bamboo?
Risky? I don't think the $150 sweater demographic worries about price.
A great deal of their PET is recycled.
Remember: Patagonia is an outdoor clothing company that was created by a mountain climber. Their clothes are mainly functional for that purpose, using synthetics that wick moisture to increase performance as well as decrease the risk of hypothermia. FYI: If you are ever rescued while climbing in Yosemite, and you have any nonsynthetic clothing on, you will be fined.
That all being said, their company model is one of the most fabulous environmentally consious business plans on the planet. There is a book written about these guys called "Let your employees go surfing". I hear it's a good read.
Cool picture!
I think environmentally I'm convinced, but can anyone tell me about their wages / fair trade stance? I don't see any mention of it on their website and almost everything they sell is an import.
To put it simply, can someone help me justify paying $60 - $90 for a shirt?
Thanks