Correction: A previous version of this article misidentified changes to Patagonia's sourcing strategy. The article has been updated to clarify Patagonia's actions as part of Pack4Good.
Outdoor gear and apparel company Patagonia joined an initiative that aims to stop companies from sourcing packaging materials from endangered forests, according to a Sept. 5 press release from environmental nonprofit Canopy.
As part of the partnership with Pack4Good — a sustainable packaging initiative from Canopy — Patagonia will continue to opt for alternative fiber sources for paper and packaging that don’t rely on logging, per the press release. Currently, paper packaging used for delivery boxes, hang tags and shoe boxes are responsible for more than 3 billion trees being logged from endangered climate critical forests, according to Canopy.
Alongside Canopy, Patagonia will take “steps to review and develop new, more-responsible packaging materials,” said Patagonia Packaging and Branding Director Jennifer Patrick. Alternative packaging products use materials like agricultural waste and non-forest alternative fibers.
Patagonia has remained focused on reducing or slashing the environmental impacts from its manufacturing operations. In 2019, the outdoor apparel and gear company vowed to become carbon neutral by 2025 and has since taken several steps to ensure sustainable practices. The year prior, for instance, Patagonia reintroduced wool into its products after implementing a responsible wool standard following an animal cruelty investigation at one of its suppliers.
The retailer has also partnered with Canopy in the past to help shift viscose and rayon textile sourcing practices, according to the press release. In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, “Patagonia has been using 100% recycled content for all its packaging and catalogues.”
Ending deforestation is a major topic, especially across the apparel supply chain. To date, more than 400 brands have parntered with Pack4Good, according to Canopy’s website. In July, Zara owner Inditex joined the initiative to eliminate materials from endangered forests from its paper packaging. Clothing brand Ganni followed suit a month later.
