It’s a frightening fact to confront, but the world’s oceans are awash in plastic garbage. Across the globe, the oceans contain over 170 trillion plastic particles—weighing an estimated 2.3 million imperial tons if gathered, according to a new study.
Apart from the staggering volume of single-use plastic in the oceans, disused fishing nets are one of the most damaging inputs—more than 650,000 marine animals die or suffer injuries every year after being trapped in these “ghost” nets and other fishing gear.
Degraded or torn fishing nets are thrown away partly because no practical end-of-life solution exists. California-based Bureo working to provide this solution and also offer a viable alternative to virgin plastics by working directly with fishers in South America.
Bureo’s program arranges the sorting, cleaning and shredding of disused nets in Chile. The nets are then recycled into NetPlus, a 100% traceable postconsumer material. This effort keeps hundreds of tons of old nets out of the ocean each year— and provides income to communities up and down the Pacific coast.
Patagonia Granite Crest Rain Jacket
Consumers win, too, for Patagonia uses NetPlus in its Granite Crest Rain Jacket (available for women and men).
This tough 3-layer jacket is ideal for long, high-output days on the trail in the wettest imaginable conditions. It’s a high-performance jacket that will protect you in a downpour, and is also made from the NetPlus 100% postconsumer recycled nylon ripstop. So, this is the best of both worlds: performance and sustainability.
For the rainy summer we’ve had so far in our Ontario branch, we appreciate not only the Granite Crest’s absolute waterproof qualities, but also its extra breathability (H2No® fabric, plus two-way pit zips with our favourite Patagonia indestructable waterproof zippers). And the hood has extra toggles to keep it in place: especially handy if you’re caught in a storm and need to run, paddle or bike back to base.
Features:
Waterproof H2No® Performance Standard Jacket
Shell is made of 3-layer H2No® Performance Standard NetPlus® 100% postconsumer recycled nylon ripstop with a slick jersey backer, a waterproof/breathable barrier and a PFC-free DWR finish (durable water repellent coating that does not contain perfluorinated chemicals).
Two-Way Adjustable Hood with Visor
Hood with laminated visor effectively sheds water, plus two-way adjustment provides good visibility in poor conditions with or without a helmet.
Zipper and Pocket Details
Center-front zipper and chest pocket with watertight zips and zipper garages; two welted handwarmer pockets stay clear of pack waistbelt or harness.
Two-Way Pit Zips for Venting
Pit zips with welted, watertight two-way zippers provide ventilation.
Self-Stuffs into Pocket
Jacket has low-profile self-fabric hook-and-loop cuff closures and self-stuffs into left-chest pocket.
Adjustable Drawcord at Hem
Adjustable drawcord cinch at hem is routed up through front pockets to seal out weather and reduce bulk under pack waistbelt.
Supporting the People Who Made this Product
Fair Trade Certified™ sewn, which means the people who made it earned a premium for their labor.
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