nathan-duncan

[nathan-duncan]

Patagonia Worn Wear and Recycling Programs

Patagonia, Inc., is a Ventura, California-based outdoor recreation clothing company established in 1973. The company’s core values align with its initial customer base of climbers and surfers, including a commitment to protecting the planet. Patagonia engages with local organizations nationwide to minimize the company’s environmental impact. Environmental efforts at Patagonia include recycling and worn-wear programs.

Patagonia happily accepts any usable items that would otherwise be discarded, joining the 85 percent of clothing that ends up in landfills or is incinerated. Worn-wear items are repaired if needed and restored to Patagonia’s high standard of quality, then resold at a discount. Individuals who provide Patagonia with worn-wear items receive store credit.

In some cases, items are beyond repair. Customers can send these products back to Patagonia to be recycled or repurposed. Items should be washed and cleaned before being sent to the Patagonia Service Center or dropped off at a local retail location. By recycling clothing rather than throwing it away, individuals minimize their carbon footprint and support Patagonia’s commitment to protecting the planet.

[nathan-duncan]

Patagonia Supports Wage Increases for Bangladesh Garment Workers

Retailer Patagonia aims to use its voice and resources to improve the world. In an October 2023 Patagonia press release, the retailer announced its support of minimum wage increases for laborers who work in the ready-made garment sector.

The company has joined the Fair Labor Association (FLA), civil organizations, and other footwear and apparel manufacturers in calling for the Bangladesh government to raise the minimum wage to 23,000 Bangladesh Taka. The wage increase applies to workers and their families and was based on the Global Living Wage Coalition, which provides data on wage levels globally.

Patagonia supports workers from Bangladesh because the country’s manufacturers are the third-largest supplier of garments worldwide. Furthermore, the company has partnered with businesses that provide it with technical products. With this in mind, the company hopes to create partnerships that will culminate in better working conditions that build on the work already done.

On its own, Patagonia has launched a Fair Trade program that sends money directly to the workers in their Bangladesh factories. The ongoing work includes reassessing workers' wages to comprehend the living wage gap better. Furthermore, the company has committed to responsible purchasing practices, among its other activities.

[nathan-duncan]

Consequences of Farmed Salmon Explored in New Patagonia Book

Published by Patagonia, “The New Fish: The Truth about Farmed Salmon and the Consequences We Can No Longer Ignore” takes a critical look at the farmed salmon industry. The roots of this aquaculture approach go back to the early 1970s when scientists were focused on producing more food to feed a rapidly increasing global population.

Researchers bred a fatter, faster-growing salmon by sampling genes from salmon across 141 rivers in Sweden and Norway. This allowed the introduction of salmon farms in coastal regions spanning Scandinavia, Ireland, Chile, Iceland, Australia, and North America. Unfortunately, there were significant unintended consequences to this new abundance of seafood.

Some fish escaped and spread lice and diseases in the wild, related to being raised in confined sea pens. At the same time, concentrated waste billowed out into the native habitat of wild salmon. The farm-raised salmon also consumed much protein from the wider ocean, leaving less available for traditional species. As a result, stocks of wild salmon collapsed.

The book focuses on the long-term detrimental impact of sea farming and recent positive developments, such as bans on net-pen fish farms in southern Argentina and Washington State. Patagonia’s food division, Patagonia Provision, features sustainably raised, wild-caught fish such as tinned white anchovies and mussels.

[nathan-duncan]

Patagonia Helps Reduce Harm from Microfibers

Widely experienced in education and human development, Nathan Duncan is the general manager of Patagonia in Palo Alto, California. Nathan Duncan’s efforts help support the company’s mission to reduce its footprint on the global environment. Founded in 1973, Patagonia has pioneered eco-friendly dyes and materials and reduced carbon emissions from its manufacturing centers and offices.

Patagonia is also addressing microfibers from synthetic fabrics in the oceans and people. Barely visible at approximately 0.2 inches in length, microfibers form a significant portion of plastic ocean waste and are ingested into the human body. Although much research remains, studies have shown that microfibers may contribute to asthma and bronchitis and harm the lungs’ repair ability.

Washing and drying clothes releases microfibers into the water and air. Patagonia supports Samsung’s new washing machine technology that reduces microfiber shedding. Patagonia advises its customers to purchase fewer clothes of better quality and launder them less often using the cold water gentle cycle.

[nathan-duncan]

Avoiding Ticks While Hiking in California

Based in Burlingame, California, Nathan Duncan has served as general manager for Patagonia in Palo Alto. Previously, he worked as a natural resource management volunteer with the Peace Corps. When he is not supporting operations at Patagonia, Nathan Duncan enjoys spending time in nature, often hiking and camping.

Ticks are one of the greatest dangers a hiker can encounter on California trails. Various tick species carry harmful, sometimes fatal diseases that are transmittable to humans and pets. Ticks are associated with Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tick-borne relapsing fever, and babesiosis.

Hikers should consider the location of their hike and the time of year. Ticks are active year-round but are especially active in warmer weather. Usually found in tall grass and densely wooded areas, hikers should avoid overgrown trails at the height of tick season.

Additionally, hikers should wear long sleeves and pants, socks, and hiking boots to make it difficult for ticks to access and bite the skin. Hikers can also apply insect repellent designed to ward off ticks, such as those containing permethrin. Finally, hikers should always check themselves and others for ticks after a hike, as they can attach themselves to clothes and gear.

[nathan-duncan]

A former educational administrator and classroom instructor, Nathan Duncan serves as general manager of the Patagonia store in Palo Alto, California. Outside of the professional arena, Nathan Duncan has volunteered to further environmental initiatives in Africa through the Peace Corps.

[nathan-duncan]

“The Outdoorist Oath” on @Medium https://ift.tt/Srk1tv9

[nathan-duncan]

A former educational administrator and classroom instructor, Nathan Duncan serves as general manager of the Patagonia store in Palo Alto, California. Outside of the professional arena, Nathan Duncan has volunteered to further environmental initiatives in Africa through the Peace Corps.

[nathan-duncan]

Patagonia Provisions’ 2-Day Camp Meal Kit Ideal

Based in Palo Alto, California, Nathan Duncan is an operational manager at Patagonia, Inc. One focus for Nathan Duncan is Provisions, a brand of foods and beverages that are organic and sourced sustainably. An article in Bon Appetite recommends the Provisions’ 2-Day Camp Meal Kit for those in search of food for outdoor settings that provide real sustenance. The kit is designed as shelf-stable and as lightweight as possible. It includes packet portions of on-the-trail items such as Inca Berry bars and savory chipotle lime seeds. It also offers dry goods such as fruity porridge, mushroom kamut, lentils, which require a camp stove or campfire heat and water transformed into hot meals. With tins of smoked mussels and mackerel included, a highlight is the vacuum-sealed, pre-cooked wild sockeye salmon. Some intrepid campers may want to expand on these basics, and an included recipe booklet provides no-fuss ways of making gourmet creations. The featured items are whole grain pancakes, seafood paella, and a red bean and polenta chili with cheese.

[nathan-duncan]

Patagonia Provisions Expands into Natural Wines

Based in Northern California, Nathan Duncan serves as a general manager of Patagonia, Inc., which is an organization that values sustainability. In recent years, Nathan Duncan’s company has moved into regenerative organic certified foods through its Provisions line. Patagonia has recently introduced natural ciders, sakes, and wines into its product mix. Initial offerings include a half dozen wines curated by the founder of the online subscription service Viticole, which focuses on sourcing organic wines from around the world. One of the highlights is a Chateau de Beru chablis grown on a family estate with four centuries of winemaking experience. A decade ago, owner Athenaïs de Beru transitioned from conventional agriculture to earth-friendly biodynamic practices. These include inter-row crops that incorporate native grasses, grains, and wildflowers and provide a habitat to local wildlife. Instead of synthetic fertilizers, organic treatments such as compost are used. Meanwhile, weeds are kept to a minimum through the grazing of sheep and chickens. One aspect of production that has not changed is the precise storage of vintages to age in the cellars of a 13th century chateau.