A system dynamics analysis of a Capilene supply loop

In August 2005, Patagonia announced its Common Threads Garment Recycling Program. The company is reclaiming used Capilene long underwear from consumers and using them as an input for new Capilene garments. According to company assessments, making clothes from post-consumer fabrics is more energy efficient and emits fewer greenhouse gases than making garments from traditional, petroleum-based, materials. Patagonia has a long history of considering both the economic and environmental impacts of their business decisions and it is an integral part of their brand. Changing business conditions and the rise of environmental consciousness among consumers have made supply loops an increasingly important topic in supply chain management. This is especially true in the electronics industry where the European Union has legislated mandatory recycling of all electronics products sold within its borders, as a response to environmental concerns. Electronics recycling is complex: the products are difficult and often hazardous to disassemble, recycling is often done overseas, and there are many players in the industry. Patagonia's Common Threads Garment Recycling Program, on the other hand, is a simple supply loop.

Department dc:contributor.department

Sloan School of Management.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Humblet, Catherine

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• John Sterman.

• Sloan School of Management.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/37215

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/37215