Responsible fashion pioneer Patagonia hits hard with new campaign WASTE NYLON. The aim? To transform ocean waste, and more specifically used fishing nets, into durable technical clothing thanks to its NetPlus® Nylon.
This initiative is in line with Patagonia's broader mission: "our company exists to save our planet." A strong commitment that takes concrete, measurable form here.
Where does this marine litter come from?
Every year, over 8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the oceans. Of this, around 640,000 tonnes comes exclusively from abandoned fishing nets, also known as "ghost nets". This plastic waste accounts for almost 10 % of the world's marine plastic pollution.
Often made of high-density nylon or polyethylene, fishing nets can drift for decades, trapping fish, turtles, marine mammals and birds in a silent cycle of destruction. It is estimated that one net can take up to 600 years to decompose completely.
In response to this scourge, Patagonia has teamed up with the company Bureospecializing in net recovery in the worst-affected areas. Today it represents :
- more than 50 fishing communities partners in Chile, Peru and Argentina
- 2.3 million pounds (≈ 1,043 tonnes) nets collected since 2013
- a rapidly expanding collection network, guaranteeing complete traceability of the recycling chain.
From the sea to your clothes: the NetPlus® process
Recovered nets are sorted, cleaned, ground and transformed into recycled nylon granules. This material, called NetPlus®It has the same technical properties as virgin nylon, without the carbon impact of extracting fossil resources.
A positive environmental and social impact
The technology NetPlus® is not just a textile innovation: it's a lever for global impact, both environmental and social. On the environmental side, the impact is measurable, since :
- the production of NetPlus® recycled nylon results in a 27 % reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with virgin nylon.
- By recycling nets, Patagonia limits the oil extraction needed to manufacture conventional nylon.
- each tonne of recycled netting prevents the emission of around 5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
- over 1,000 tonnes of ghost nets have been diverted from the oceans thanks to the partnership with Bureo.
Our social commitment is both local and sustainable. The NetPlus® program creates additional income for participating fishermen through collection incentives. It is accompanied by educational programs to raise awareness of sustainable waste management in local communities. The system also respects rigorous traceability, from collection to finished product, ensuring fair conditions throughout the chain.
In short, every Patagonia garment made from recycled netting is much more than a technical product: it's an act of activism, at the crossroads of performance and ethics.
Patagonia leads the way to a cleaner textile industry
Today, the textile industry is one of the most polluting in the world. It alone is responsible for 10 % of global CO₂ emissionsmore than aviation and shipping combined. Its impact on water resources is equally alarming: 20 % of global water pollution comes from the dyes and chemical treatments used in garment manufacture. In addition, more than 60 % of textiles produced worldwide are made from synthetic materials derived from petroleum, accentuating our dependence on fossil fuels and the resulting environmental impact.
In this context, Patagonia's approach is a concrete and reproducible example. By creating a circular, traceable, low-impact value chain, the brand demonstrates that textile innovation can - and must - serve the planet before profit.
NetPlus® Nylon technology is just one example of Patagonia's efforts to reinvent the way outdoor clothing is designed, produced and consumed. The company is proving that it is possible to combine technical performance, durability and environmental responsibility without compromise.
Where can I find the Patagonia NetPlus® collection?
Want to adopt a more responsible wardrobe?
Technical clothing from the NetPlus® Nylon by Patagonia are available on www.privatesportshop.fr.
