Solar Energy Writer
  • Home
  • About
  • Writing Services
    • SOLAR CONTRACTORS
    • EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS
    • SOLAR ENGINEERS & DEVELOPERS
  • Portfolio
    • BLOG
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

How Patagonia Is Recycling Bottles Into Jackets

4/3/2016

 
Picture
By Sarah Lozanova, Corporate Sustainability Writer
​
Did you know that Americans use 50 billion plastic water bottles each year, with a recycling rate of only 23%? From an environmental standpoint, it brings up numerous concerns. Kicking our bottled water habit can conserve resources, but what are we going to do with the billions of plastic bottles that are recycled? How do we boost stubbornly low plastic bottle recycling rates?

Luckily, Patagonia has been looking at this issue for decades and has made considerable progress in turning plastic trash into polyester fabric for apparel. The company has found a way to actually upcycle plastic bottles, finding a good use for this waste stream by turning it into a higher value goods.

In 1993, Patagonia produced the first polyester fleece jacket from recycled bottles. It had a green tint, from green soda bottles. Now, manufacturing waste, plastic bottles, and worn out clothing is recycled into new apparel, literally closing the recycling loop. Patagonia's product line has expanded from fleece jackets to include 82 products with recycled polyester, including insulated pants, down jackets, and beanies.​
Read More...

    Sarah Lozanova

    Freelance renewable energy writer

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    July 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    August 2019
    May 2019
    October 2018
    June 2018
    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All
    Cohousing
    Corporate Social Responsibility
    CSR
    Electric Vehicles
    Energy Efficiency
    Green Building
    Intentional Communities
    Recycling
    Residential Solar
    Solar Batteries
    Solar Energy
    Solar Panels
    Solar Power
    Solar Pv
    Solar Thermal
    Wind Energy
    Wind Power

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • About
  • Writing Services
    • SOLAR CONTRACTORS
    • EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS
    • SOLAR ENGINEERS & DEVELOPERS
  • Portfolio
    • BLOG
  • Testimonials
  • Contact