Eastman and Patagonia partner to recycle 8,000 pounds of clothing waste
In a proactive move to address the fashion industry's waste crisis, specialty materials company Eastman and outdoor fashion brand Patagonia have announced a collaborative effort to recycle unusable pre and post-consumer clothing. Utilizing Eastman's molecular recycling technology, the partnership aims to tackle the growing problem of apparel waste by repurposing 8,000 pounds of discarded garments.
By breaking down Patagonia's clothing into molecular building blocks, Eastman transforms the waste into new fibers, demonstrating a commitment to circular fashion and sustainability. Natalie Banakis, Patagonia's materials innovation engineer, highlights the urgency of finding sustainable solutions for end-of-life apparel, reflecting consumers' growing demand for environmentally responsible practices. Carolina Sister Cohn, Eastman's textiles global marketing lead, emphasizes the importance of collaboration in driving circularity in the textiles industry, signaling a promising start to future sustainability initiatives in 2024.
Natalie Banakis, materials innovation engineer at Patagonia, highlights the pressing need for sustainable solutions to combat apparel waste, echoing consumers' growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives as their beloved garments near the end of their lifespan. Carolina Sister Cohn, Eastman's global marketing lead for textiles, expresses confidence in the collaboration's potential to drive sustainability in the textiles industry, emphasizing the critical role of collaboration with forward-thinking brands in realizing the vision of circular fashion. This partnership not only showcases what's achievable in terms of sustainability but also sets the stage for further transformative collaborations in 2024 and beyond.
