Patagonia Worn Wear Program

Patagonia's Worn Wear program buys back used gear, repairs it in their facility. Resells it at a discount, and the program works as both a sustainability initiative and a brand strategy because it positions the company as 1 that stands behind its products long after the initial sale. Trade-in credit is modest, usually $20 to $60 depending on the item's condition. The message it sends is that Patagonia gear is built to have a second and third life rather than being disposable. Separate and even more impressive, the repair program will fix zippers, patch holes. Replace elastic on any Patagonia product regardless of when you bought it or whether you have a receipt. Used gear on their website is organized like a regular store with size filters and product descriptions. Each item includes a note about its condition and any repairs that were made, which gives the used product a story that new products do not have. Pricing on Worn Wear items is typically 40 to 60% below retail, which makes Patagonia gear accessible to people who cannot afford the full price. I bought a used fleece through the program for $65 that retails new at $140. Only visible wear is a small patch on the elbow where they repaired a tear. The fact that the patch is visible rather than hidden says a lot about the brand's attitude toward use and aging. I have mixed feelings about whether a company that makes $1 billion in annual revenue can credibly claim anti-consumption values. The Worn Wear program is one of the few corporate sustainability efforts that actually reduces consumption rather than just greenwashing it.