It’s showtime for the Sustainability Battle of Brands, an Impakter exclusive series that pits global brands against each other — in this case Patagonia and The North Face.
Sustainability of Patagonia
Stretched across the battlefield in tight, neat lines (not literally, but you get the picture), Patagonia makes a formidable foe in the sustainable fashion industry.
When it comes to sustainability, Patagonia caters to three charity-oriented categories:
- Product (Worn Wear Program)
- Donation (1% For the Planet)
- Activism (action works)
The brand has special programs dedicated to sustainable materials, environmental activism, and social responsibility, tracing all the products back to fair, safe, quality working conditions that adhere to law.
There is full traceability for where and how in the world the clothes are produced. The website features a seasonal progress report that you can track to see whether Patagonia lives up to its goals.
How environmentally friendly is Patagonia?
Patagonia’s battle stance on the environment is one of the most extensive features on its website. This brand is climate-conscious and recognizes the impact that the garment industry has on climate change.
The company is also transparent about the materials they use (at a minimum) that keep them from being 100% sustainable (which, let’s face it, is nearly impossible in the global fashion industry).
Not only are they transparent on the less-than-eco-friendly materials used in fleeces, jackets, and hats, but they also showcase what they do in order to reduce their footprint when non-biodegradable materials are unavoidable.
As much as 89% of the fabrics Patagonia used last season came from preferred materials. Some of their products, like their down jackets, are 100% responsibly sourced, meaning that all materials along the supply chain were obtained through organic, ethical, and sustainable methods.
All of the raw, virgin cotton used in Patagonia clothes is also organic.
Some sustainable materials (out of many) the brand uses include:
- Hemp (low-impact material).
- REFIBRA lyocell, sourced from wood pulp and recycled cotton scraps from responsible forest management.
- Regenerated Organic Certified Cotton, which comes from a farming method that rehabilitates soil and reduces greenhouse gasses.
Polyester, tolerated as a result of its water-repelling characteristics, is one of the (few) non-eco materials Patagonia uses; but Patagonia doesn’t hide this in their tags.
They’re straightforward in addressing that they are aware that polyester comes from petroleum (a material that produced 57 million metric tons in 2021 in the garment industry). To make up for this, Patagonia used recycled polyester in the fall of 2022 so that its fibers no longer reach landfills (quite a lesson, right Nike and Adidas?)
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Another unsustainable material used is Fluorinated DWR, which is a water-repellent finish used on water-proof garments, and contains nonbiodegradable chemicals like perfluorocarbons (PFCs).
But also like the page on polyester, Patagonia lists their response to making up for this harmful material. By fall 2022, the company converted products containing Fluorinated DWR to a version of it that is PFC-free (10% of products are affected by this new method).
How ethical is Patagonia’s approach to workers’ rights?
Patagonia flat-out tells you that textile workers are some of the most neglected, underpaid workers in the industry.
But not their workers.
In the way that the environment is a major component of Patagonia’s culture, so are the people (which, in this case, are their sustainable soldiers). Some of Patagonia’s top ammunition in this realm include:
- 87% of the main line is Fair Trade Certified.
- 64,000+ workers being supported by the Fair Trade Program.
- 550+ farmers employed by the Regenerative Organic Certified Pilot Cotton Program.
Some of the programs they have include:
- Fair Trade Program
- Fair Labor Association
- Regenerative Organic Certified Programs
- Migrant Workers Programs
- Living Wage Program
Patagonia works closely with factories and mills to ensure that they adhere to their standards of worker rights so that everyone has access to balanced hours, benefits, and fair wages.
Human rights standards under the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 9SB657) monitor supply chain partners to make sure human trafficking and child labor come nowhere near the production partners, as human trafficking affects not only the illegal sex trade but the garment industry, too.
We’re giving employees some paid time off and closing up shop for the holidays. You can order online at this time, but shipping, returns, and exchanges may be delayed. We’re grateful for your support. pic.twitter.com/NL4JYj3jp9
— Patagonia (@patagonia) December 23, 2022
Sustainability of The North Face
The North Face is without a doubt a leader in the outdoor apparel industry. The brand has, apparently, made sustainability a core aspect of its business model.
Yet, with the mounting concerns over the fast fashion and outdoor gear industries’ impact on the environment, can The North Face truly live up to its sustainable claims? Or ar we facing another greenwashing sinner?
Let’s dive in and find out.
So how environmentally friendly is The North Face?
While Patagonia uses 7% more recycled materials in its supply chain, North Face is committed to a circular design, reducing CO2 emissions by half by 2030, and eliminating plastic packaging by 2025 (by packaging items with recyclable materials).
North Face coats are certified by the Responsible Down Standard, which sources feathers from geese and ducks raised on certified farms that meet the label’s animal welfare criteria.
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Additionally, under climate goals spearheaded by North Face’s parent company, VF, the brand’s sustainability actions are approved by the Science Based Target Initiatives (SBTi).
The goals aim to attack greenhouse gas emissions that clog the air after manufacturing, and ensure that more renewable energy is used and that “green building standards” are followed.
VF is also linked with Green Bond, a group that directly targets environmental initiatives along the manufacturing value chain and helps VF companies, like North Face, meet sustainable criteria in products, materials, operations, and carbon sinks.
Our first-ever circular collection is here. At the end of its journey, get it back to us and we’ll recycle it for a new life on the trails. Discover circular design: https://t.co/jVqvb1zlEy pic.twitter.com/qxE7O96gmy
— The North Face (@thenorthface) October 6, 2022
Green Bond’s 2021 report details VF’s progress in sustainable development, and VF had allocated all of its 2022 net proceeds to Green Bond. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.
But what about North Face? Why are all the details from VF and not specific to this brand? A lack of transparency threads North Face’s battle plan, and it’s something that touches other aspects of sustainability too.
How ethical is The North Face’s approach to workers’ rights?
This is where North Face starts losing the battle. In 2014, the company was accused of using sweatshop labor with workers that earned only poverty wages (the same happened to Shein by the way). Since then, VF issued a statement apologizing for the reports and reinforcing their commitment to workers’ rights throughout the supply chain.
However, their promise to increase supply chain transparency doesn’t hold a candle to Patagonia; North Face doesn’t have a page, report, or article related to protecting their workers’ human rights (at least not one that we found).
VF can do all the apologizing they want, but at the end of the day, we want to know: what has been done to address the issue moving forward?
And again, where is North Face in all of this? North Face is the face of the issue here; it’s the brand that has a direct relationship with you, the consumer. Because you spend your money on their brand, you shouldn’t have to do an investigation for human rights violations just because you want a puffy new coat.
Tomorrow is #GlobalClimbingDay—a worldwide celebration of the climbing community and the opportunities we find in every obstacle.
Find an event near you: https://t.co/dwQURAwPfB pic.twitter.com/DqDLEW9Lf0
— The North Face (@thenorthface) August 19, 2022
Patagonia vs The North Face: Who wins in terms of sustainability?
While the sustainability of North Face is outlined extensively (both with VF and their own site), they just don’t compare to the nitty gritty details that Patagonia lays out on their battle maps.
North Face’s materials page alone features just four categories that only give an overview of recycled synthetics, bio-based materials, regenerative materials, and down. On the opposing field, Patagonia’s material page features a whopping 28 materials used in production. This is in addition to the ethical fabric-related programs associated with sustainable sourcing.
This doesn’t even mention the individual pages Patagonia dedicates to recycling, dyeing, and indigo processes (to name a few). This is opposed to no pages on the North Face’s website on how they process materials.
Unlike Patagonia, North Face doesn’t mention what harmful materials they use. And we know they use them since they already admitted to emitting greenhouse gasses. Where is the transparency?
Sure, North Face tells users about their commitment to a circular economy (which reduces landfill waste) and recycled plastic-free packaging, but how can we trace this to real action? Where are the specifics?
Patagonia, on the other hand, really makes sure that no grass grows under their feet. This ethical and sustainable brand devotes the necessary time and effort it takes to integrate biodegradable and recyclable materials into its line.
Plus, they have a culture that cradles workers’ rights as a top priority, according to ethical anti-child labor laws.
Maybe Patagonia spoiled us with high standards. But hey, shouldn’t our sustainability standards be high anyway?
Final Verdict
As the battle smoke recedes, the brand winning the gold medal is… Patagonia, our five-star eco general!
When it comes to the sustainability of Patagonia, the company really makes sure that no grass grows under its feet. This ethical and sustainable brand devotes the necessary time and effort it takes to integrate biodegradable and recyclable materials into its line.
Plus, they have a culture that cradles workers’ rights as a top priority, according to ethical anti-child labor laws.
Editors Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of Impakter.com — In the Featured Photo: Logos of Patagonia vs The North Face, put together for our Sustainability Battle of Brands series. Featured Photo Credit: Danka & Peter/Unsplash.
