Recycled Down

The Recycled Down Patagonia uses 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, they reduce waste and contribute to the down-recycling stream.

Integrating 100% Recycled Down into their 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 Patagonia found collectors and processors that share our values for high-quality and uncompromising performance.

In the Spring 2024 season, they used about 4,300 pounds of recycled down.

In addition to trying to prolong a garment’s life span by making it more durable and easier to repair, they’re working to design products with its end of life in mind, including how easy it is to recycle once you no longer need them. It’s difficult to extract down from apparel, but they can modify garment construction to make this process a little simpler. They’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.