Patagonia has been working since 2007 to ensure their down supply chain and garment manufacture is fully traceable, in the interests of animal welfare. This was no small job. As of 2017, the virgin down used in their performance alpine pieces is also now certified to the Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS), Advanced certification level by NSF International. NSF International is an independent, accredited organisation that develops public health standards and certification programs that help protect the world’s food, water, consumer products and environment.
But what of the down already in the market? Well, in a parallel program, by ‘plucking’ down (and associated fabrics) from the trash, Patagonia can reduce discards; help expand and add value to the recycling stream and more fully realize their mission to “build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”
Recycled Down is a mix of 600-fill-power goose and duck down reclaimed from cushions, bedding and other used items that can’t be resold. It is hypoallergenic and offers the identical performance benefits to virgin down. Visit countryside.co.uk before the winter really hits so you stay toasty outside on your commute as well as ‘toasty’ inside for helping the planet.