An Environmental Entrepreneur
In his book, Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman, Chouinard describes his own unexpected evolution from a self-described “misfit” to a successful entrepreneur, and Patagonia’s development as a company centered on its commitment to the environment.
Patagonia’s Environmental Commitment
Patagonia uses organic cotton in its clothing line, uses recycled bottles instead of polyester for its fleece jackets, and bans paper cups and plastic garbage can liners from its offices. Since 1985, Patagonia has contributed more than $22 million to environmental groups. Every year, the company earmarks either 1 percent of total sales or 10 percent of pre-tax profits for environmental causes, whichever is greater.
Chouinard and his wife, Malinda, co-owner of the company, also donate 30 percent of their salaries, and he has pledged all royalties from his book to help the environment. But Chouinard says Patagonia is still a polluter that makes many products using nonrenewable resources, so he’s trying to do more.
