. Patagonia Footprint Chronicles. Great For Surf, Travel Or Working Out. Patagonia. N.p., n.d. [viii] The block is sliced into the desired thickness perhaps using a electricity-powered slicing machine and laminated with polyester jersey. 21) "Closing the Loop - A Report on Patagonia's Common Threads Garment Recycling Program." 2014. [x] Patagonia now works with Teijin, a textile mill in Japan that works toward a goal of a closed-loop recycling system. N.p., n.d. Manufacturing of the actual wetsuits in Thailand accounts for some of the lowest percentages of waste because energy use is low with a mostly hand made product and little material waste, though the energy needed to produce work environments that hold up to high standards of workers safety and comfort could be considered. 6 Mar. . 7) "How Products Are Made." . 10) "O ECOTEXTILES." Baugh, Gail. [xiii] "Patagonia's Common Threads Garment Recycling Program." Wetsuit is also one of the products, which includes many materials like yulex Rubber, neoprene, recycled polyester, Supra Tex Nylon and Zipper combined together to provide warmth, strength, durability and sustainability to the customer. Web. Web. 2014. The Cleanest Line. ADA Compliance Combined shipping or any kind of discount for multiple items are not available. Our employees come from diverse backgrounds and bring a high level of professionalism and drive to the REAL team. 20) "Changing Ports Pays Dividends." Telephone interview. As the worlds technologies started to boom, machines easily made many of these products, materials transported from around the world, and easily produce without the human effort. . Worldwatch Institute. From the furnace, components are reacted with other chemicals to make the acetylene gas to form a polychloroprene rubber chips (sponge). Web. N.p., n.d. New polyester is made from petroleum and is considered very environmentally harmful, which is a serious concern because polyester is such a widely used material. 19) "Changing Ports Pays Dividends." There are three steps in the synthesizing of polyester. N.p., n.d. 13 Mar. Unlimited beaches and shoreline. Nylons flexible strength is higher than that of wool, silk, rayon and cotton. N.p., n.d. For this reason, it is becoming increasingly important that we understand what we are actually supporting when we buy a product and how being aware of this can push companies into seeking greener alternatives in order to maintain their customer base. . 2014. YouTube. The Cleanest Line. [ix] The final step, of course, is shipping the finished product to Thailand using fossil fuel. To engage in the garment recycling program, customers mail used clothing to Reno, Nevada and from there, bulk loads are trucked to Oakland Port in California before being shipped across the ocean to Matsuyama, Japan. O ECOTEXTILES. 13 Mar. WiseGEEK. YouTube, 31 July 2013. [xxiv] The machines that wind and spin the nylon are likely powered by electricity as well, yet this specific information couldnt be found. Patagonia uses mostly recycle used soda bottles, unusable manufacturing waste, and worn out garments into polyester fibers to produce many of their new clothes. Crew neck Neck ribbing . 6 Mar. Another material that is used on the wetsuit it neoprene, which is made from limestone rather than petroleum. N.p., n.d. 13 Mar. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets, both over the water. Web. While there was often plenty of information about the production process of the materials used in the wetsuit, it was very difficult to find information about the actual machines used in the process. N.p., n.d. Made How. N.p., n.d. Patagonia sources say about the decision to recycle their materials, We found that making DMT (dimethyl terephthalate, the precursor material to polyester in TEIJINs process) from Patagonia polyester uses 76% less energy and emits 42% less CO2 than making it from petroleum. According to PET Resin Association, More than 1.5 billions pounds of used PET bottles and containers are recovered in the United States each year for recycling.[16] This makes it the most recycled plastic in the U.S and worldwide. Web. Slate Magazine. Web. With this examination I hope to set out a clear map of the waste created through the entire life cycle of the Yulex R2 Wetsuit. Web. 6 Mar. Yulex: / Crop. World famous kiteboarding competitions, summer concert series and surf movie premiers are just some of the events that fill our Cape Hatteras event schedule. We as the consumers can support the push towards greener production processes by educating ourselves about where our products come from, how they are produced, and what happens to them once we are finished with them. Yulex Rubber is made from a plant called guayule, which is grown in the southwestern part of the United States. Web. {C}9. "Social Responsibility." "Social Responsibility." 2) "Patagonia Yulex Wetsuits - From Seed To Suit." The substance is then heated into a molten liquid through thermal energy and then pushed through very small holes in a machine called a spinneret. 18) "Patagonia Customer Service Questions." "Patagonia Yulex Wetsuits - From Seed To Suit." N.p., n.d. 2014. "Teijin (Wako Ltd.)." [xxxii] "The Cleanest Line." Many of the products produced by Patagonia are finding ways to improve on their materials that can be easily recycle, reuse and reduces the wastes in the future. [ii] While few details about it are listed, we can assume that they are using kinetic water energy and possibly some sort of fossil fuel powered machine. Despite the gaps in information, though, I was still able to learn a tremendous amount about the Yulex R2 Front-Zip Full Wetsuit. 23) "Closing the Loop - A Report on Patagonia's Common Threads Garment Recycling Program." Zippers are made of metal, plastic, brass, or nickel. . Web. 2014. "Reference Library." 2014. 13 Mar. Nylon is made up of amine, hexamethylen diamin and adipic acid. Our model for success since the discovery of agriculture has been how well we can harness our natural resources to make our lives easier; this model, since the beginning of the industrial revolution, and more specifically, since the discovery of fossil fuels, has become how well can we process these natural resources into products that make our lives more productive, or fun, or gratifying? {C}8. By partnering with Teijin, a Japanese company who developed their own closed loop polyester recycling system that helps to recycles materials from one product into a similar product as a standard way of recycling. WiseGEEK. And then, the soft sheets are laminated on one or both sides of fabric with high stretch nylon or polyester jersey knit to give them extra strength and prevention from water leakage. 2014. . After four years of working together, Patagonia and Yulex have co-developed a unique material that allows us to make a wetsuit that is 60% guayule (plant) based. N.p., n.d. "The Cleanest Line." Join our team and live in one of the best locations for wind and surf in the world. Yulex is a newly developed bio-rubber created from a desert shrub called Guayule that is native to the American Southwest1. The Cleanest Line. 13 Mar. 2014. It is hard to calculate just how much CO2 emissions are released due to wetsuit shipping alone, but an estimate can be made based on an article found regarding Patagonias shipping practices. 13 Mar. 2014. . Yulex: / Crop. These zippers are fitted on wetsuit so the user can easily access without difficulties. Yulex, n.d. Libolon. {C}5. Comparatively, recycled polyester is a much better environmental option as it uses recycled plastic bottles and worn out polyester to produce new polyester fabric by one of two ways. "How Is Nylon Made?" The first and most common form of polyester recycling is through mechanical means where the plastic and polyester is melted down and re-extruded into new polyester yarn; this process is limited in its efficiency due to the fact that every time the plastic or polyester is recycled mechanically it loses quality and strength, which means that eventually the material would end up being thrown out10. Web. Web. N.p., n.d. [iii] After this, the solid biorubber is trucked to Port of Oakland in California and then shipped to Patagonias wetsuit facility in Thailand, making use of fossil fuels. [xx] "Clothing: Supra-Tex." Each has its own functions when zipping and unzipping any types of wearable garments. 2014. {C}7. Our group chose to do a life cycle analysis on the Yulex R2 Wetsuit, a product of Patagonia Inc., because we wanted to show a product that includes the petroleum based synthetic materials that we have been using for some time, as well as examples of a new conscious movement towards more environmentally respectful materials and business models that provide a link between efforts to take care of our natural environment and still being able to enjoy the products we have come to expect. It is highly water-resistant and breathable fiber used in the top layer of jackets, trousers and boots, perfect for all active people who are frequently exposed to hard weather conditions. Designed to electrify Join the REAL Newsletter for exclusive offers and updates. One of the materials in the wetsuit that is difficult to find information about is the glue used when assembling the wetsuit. Web. 2mm men's patagonia r1 lite yulex shorty springsuit. Supratex is a nylon material used on the knees of the wetsuit for added durability in high stress parts of the suit. Web. . 2014. there is a nice condition patagonia wetsuits that i am offering for auction. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. 2014. Biorubbers also contributes to creating a truly sustainable bio refinery in reducing its carbon footprint. The sponge blocks are then processed to slice it up into sheets and its required neoprene thickness. 8) Baugh, Gail. "News." . Patagonia, n.d. "How Is Nylon Made?"
Patagonia, an outdoor and sportswear company from Ventura, California, is one of the most well known companies which is committed in providing the customers with a product that is green friendly, less harmful to impacting the environment and that can be easily re-used in the future generation. Copyright 2000-2022 Geartrade LLCAll Rights Reserved. Web. Web. "Limestone Based Neoprene." . Supra Tex Nylon is a petroleum-based product that is used to create a synthetic fabric. N.p., n.d. The Billabong Boys' All Day Stripe Pro Boardshort is made from lightweight, quick drying, 4-way stretch high performance fabric so REAL was built to provide you with the supplies you need to Shred! As these thin threads are exposed to air it hardens immediately and can be wound onto bobbins and then stretched to create elasticity and strength. Web. . 2014. For example, 35 percent of nylon produced is used in the automobile industry. An Introduction to PET." N.p., n.d. 2014. Finally, when the wetsuit reaches the end of its working life and is no longer capable of keeping water lovers warm in the water there are a few options of where it may go. [vii] They are then melted using thermal energy, mixed with foaming agents and black carbon pigments, and baked in an oven to form a sponge block. 6 Mar. [xxviii] "Wetsuit Stitching." . Neoprene, one of the most important materials in wetsuits, is usually made from petroleum, however there is another method that uses limestone as its primary raw material. 2014. Social Responsibility. Through this company, though, we can learn that transparency and a sense of responsibility about what we use is far more important. Additionally, the YKK factory where the zippers are manufactured operate large amounts of mechanical equipment necessary for precision manufacturing of zippers, and because of this, require lots of fossil fuel based energy allowing for more CO2 emissions to be emitted. . [5] Yulexs process extracts biorubber in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner utilizing the companys proprietary water based extraction methods. Zippers are used for opening and closing things like pants, skirts, shoes, and garment. [xxx] "The Footprint Chronicles: Our Supply Chain." The lifecycle of the Yulex R2 wetsuit does not end there, however. Wetsuits are protective garments worn by athletes that participate in any cold water sports; they provide warmth, durability and flex. Web. [xxviii] The glue increases the strength of the seam and adds to its flexibility because it allows the thick pieces of fabric to be joined straight together instead of the neoprene being bent back and sewn in order to form a lock that attempts to keep the water out but isnt very effective. . Web. Patagonia. 13 Mar. . 3) "Patagonia Yulex Wetsuits - From Seed To Suit." 13 Mar. . . N.p., n.d. . 2014. In the polymerization process, the first thing the manufacturer combines is two sets of molecules, one with and acid group and one with an amine group which is then heated in a large vat at a very high temperature. The lamination is also likely done by machine, but I couldnt find information about exactly how this process works. 2014. Fabric: Soft, recycled, resistant stretch fabric . Web. 13 Mar. 2014. WiseGEEK. 100% cotton Patagonia, n.d. 16) "Reference Library." "How Zipper Is Made." [vi] The cut pieces are fed into a furnace using heat generated from burning old tires and hydroelectric power and then mixed with chemicals producing the polychloroprene rubber chips. 2014. Yulex, n.d. Patagonia. World-class waves. "If an item you have received is faulty, please contact us to arrange an exchange or refund" Patagonia R R1 Green Logo Mens Szie XXL Full have a look at this nice looking patagonia short sleeveless . 6 Mar. Patagonia admits that neoprene made from limestone, in the big picture, is not any better for the environment than petroleum based neoprene, but has the benefits of lacking reliance placed upon oil for production and the risk of future oil spills16. "Recycled Polyester." Patagonia is committed to recycling as much of their clothing as possible and will accept customers old, used Patagonia clothing. [xvi] This is an example of chemical processing because the nature of the material is being changed. . Further processing turns the bio rubber into usable chips for different types of manufacturing needs, which are then mixed into a 60/40 blend of Yulex/Neoprene for the Yulex R2 Wetsuit creating a wetsuit that is 60% biodegradable5. [xxxi] From there, they are trucked to their final destinations- Patagonia stores and warehouses across the country from where they will either be directly purchased by a customer or bought online and sent to the customers home. Today most of the zippers are manufactured in Japan, a well-known company named YKK Group. 2014. Solvents from the production and use of these glues release VOCs and other toxins into the air; it is estimated that nearly 800 tons of solvents evaporate into the atmosphere because of current wetsuit gluing and neoprene laminating processes17. 6 Mar. Epic winds. 2014. Patagonia. It is not recorded what type of machinery harvests guayule, but since this is a large-scale commercial crop, we can assume that it is done by some sort of gasoline-powered harvester machine. . N.p., n.d. O ECOTEXTILES. 13 Mar. By trying to only purchase products we believe in and are informed about and also making sure we engage in the recycling programs available to us, we can play a role in the future of production and manufacturing and how it affects our shared environment. 13 Mar. Web. 2014. . [22] It is strong, abrasion resistant, lustrous, easy to wash and resistant to damage from oil and many other chemicals. "Materials." These biorubbers are currently used to manufacture products like footwear, medical equipment, gasketing, chewing gum, tires and auto parts and children toys and gear. Yulex:. 6 Mar. . 2014. 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