Recycled Down
Our Recycled Down is diverted from the landfill, reducing waste and reintroducing used down into the insulation market.
Why
The Recycled Down we use is a mix of either 600- or 700-fill-power goose and duck down that is reclaimed from cushions, bedding and other used items that can’t be resold—the stuff that adds to our growing landfills. By plucking down from the trash, we reduce waste and contribute to the down-recycling stream.
We’re making progress
The percentage of CO₂e emissions reduction we’ve achieved per kilogram of insulation by using Recycled Down compared to virgin duck down (based on an internally commissioned Life Cycle Assessment)
Where We Are
Integrating 100% Recycled Down into our supply chain took a bit of legwork. There was already a market in Europe for Recycled Down and feathers, but it took some time to find partners that were able to meet our high-quality standards. The search paid off when we found collectors and processors that share our values for high-quality and uncompromising performance.
In the Spring 2024 season, we used about 4,300 pounds of recycled down.
What’s Next
In addition to trying to prolong a garment’s life span by making it more durable and easier to repair, we’re working to design products with their end of life in mind, including how easy they are to recycle once you no longer need them. It’s difficult to extract down from apparel, but we can modify garment construction to make this process a little simpler. We’re also looking at ways to educate and encourage more people to recycle, showing them the what, where and how of the process. More recyclable down products and more people recycling their items will mean fewer additions to the waste stream.
![Recycled Down](https://www.patagonia.com/dw/image/v2/bdjb_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-PatagoniaShared/default/dwea380973/fpc/materials/davis_t_1789_cc_WEB-1694x1130.jpg?q=80&sw=800&)