Global outdoor apparel retailer – and environmentally in tune organisation – Patagonia has made a new packaging commitment by joining not-for-profit group Canopy’s Pack4Good initiative.
Canopy, an organisation dedicated to protecting forests, species, and climate, continues to attract retailers to its programme which focuses on finding so-called next generation packaging solutions that come from more sustainable sources.
As part of the new partnership, Patagonia has committed to ensure none of its packaging comes at the expense of the world’s most climate- and biodiversity-critical forests. It marks an extension of the two organisations’ existing tie-up, since 2013, which involves work to eliminate the destruction of ancient and endangered forests caused by the production of viscose textiles.
Canopy estimates paper packaging — such as delivery boxes, hang tags, and shoe boxes — is responsible for 3.1 billion trees being logged annually, many from climate-critical forests. As a result, using alternative sources of fibre for paper and packaging, that doesn’t involve trees, is a priority for Canopy and Patagonia.
Packaging that comes from alternative sources such as agricultural waste is now a focus for Patagonia.
Jennifer Patrick, packaging & branding director at Patagonia, said: “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.”
Canopy said Patagonia has been at the forefront of shifting the viscose and rayon supply chain, as it is among the first brand leaders to source exclusively from producers rated as “green shirt” in its annual Hot Button Report. Already the retailer is using 100% recycled content for all its packaging and catalogues.
“We are so pleased to be welcoming Patagonia to the Pack4Good family,” said Nicole Rycroft, founder & executive director of Canopy.
“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.”
Today’s announcement brings the Pack4Good initiative to 445 brands, with Zara owner Inditex and fashion retailer Ganni among the latest businesses to add their names to the campaign to improve their packaging from an environmental perspective.
[image credit: Green Retail World]
