These are some of the elements contributing to Patagonia’s environmental impact. The production of all of these materials relies on the usage of water, fossil fuels, natural gas, and petroleum. In addition, there is a large amount of water usage due to the washing, dyeing, and drying process taking place during production. The plastic buttons are assumed to be made of plastic and are therefore made by melting and molding as well. These processes leave you with a light and stretchy material that can be used to fit the jacket to the consumer. For example, melt extrusion, reaction spinning, solution dry spinning, and solution wet spinning are the main ways spandex is produced. To create spandex, which is made from polyurethane plastic, it can be made using a couple of processes. For the spandex that makes up the cuffs of the sleeves and the bottom hem of the jacket, spandex is inserted. Once this process is finished, the threads are weaved together to create the fluffy, warm fleece material. The process to make this material requires machinery that can first melt, then squeeze the plastic through tiny holes to make fibers, and then cool the fibers. Synchilla fleece is made from 100% recycled polyester fleece, sourced from plastic bottles or recycled synchilla jackets. The specific materials all have complex methods of production since they are synthetic materials. What I will address in this paper is the full lifecycle of the Patagonia synchilla fleece jacket and the environmental impacts the materials used will produce. However, although cotton is a large factor in the pollution through the fashion industry and is used by Patagonia, the synchilla fleece jacket is what I’ll be addressing in this paper. They are aware of their usage of cotton, which is a non-eco-friendly material, and therefore chooses to grow their own cotton organically. Overall, around eighty-seven percent of Patagonia's clothing uses recycled materials, so environmentalism is a central component of the company’s policies. In terms of Patagonia’s synchilla fleece jacket, the environmental impact was carefully calculated since one of Patigonias’ main principles is to create clothing that is ethical and sustainable. Analyzing product lifestyles helps awareness when it comes to the full social, political, and environmental effects of that certain product. Life cycles are the full analysis of the product from the materials used to produce it to the environmental impact it has once its use is no longer needed. Overall, the Patagonia synchilla fleece jacket is a great alternative to its rivals due to the eco-aware management Patagonia utilizes and the recycled material from which it is made. At the moment Patagonia works with 16 different contracted companies across the globe and by working with the FLA Patagonia strives to increase worker benefits and lifestyle quality, no matter the distance. Synchilla fleece has a much lower environmental impact than other materials such as cotton or silk, and with Patagonias’ emphasis on recycling, synchilla fleece is a more sustainable material for mass production of clothing. The primary materials that comprise Patagonia synchilla fleece are 100% recycled polyester fleece, a synthetic material made from plastic, Spandex, polyurethane plastic, plastic buttons, nylon trim, and the colored dye. Made by Formosa Textil in Managua, Managua, Nicaragua, and by Pettenati Coatepeque, in Santa Ana, El Salvador, this product is produced outside of Northern America, where Patagonia headquarters are located. One of their featured products is the Patagonia Synchilla fleece jacket which is marketed as warm and durable and is made from 87% recycled materials. Patagonia, a brand well established as an eco-friendly fashion company has surprisingly lived up to its reputation. Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Jacket: A 2021 Analysis of Raw Materials
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