Worn Wear bins made from Patagonia waders

A Partnership Built on Performance and Purpose

At Ecologic Designs, we were thrilled to partner once again with Patagonia and their environmentally astute Worn Wear program.

For the uninitiated, Worn Wear is the gold standard of the circular economy. The program keeps technical gear in action longer through professional repair and reuse, and responsibly recycles garments only when they are truly beyond repair. Our latest collaboration took this “repair and reuse” mission one step further by transforming retired materials into functional retail infrastructure.

Upcycled Patagonia wader bins created by Ecologic Designs for the Worn Wear program.

From the River to the Retail Floor: The Wander Bin

The challenge was specific: Patagonia needed durable, high-visibility receptacles for their Worn Wear collection points in-store. Instead of sourcing new plastic or virgin fabrics, they looked to their own “waste” stream—unusable fishing waders.

The Project at a Glance:

The Goal: Produce 125 custom collection bins.
The Scale: Enough bins for every Patagonia retail location.
The Material: Two pairs of retired waders were required for each individual bin.

By upcycling these technical garments, we helped Patagonia divert hundreds of pounds of waterproof material from the scrap heap, turning a specialized “end-of-life” product into a permanent part of their retail ecosystem.

Why Upcycling Technical Gear Matters

Technical fabrics—like those found in high-end waders—are notoriously difficult to recycle. They are engineered to be indestructible, which is great for the fisherman but a challenge for traditional waste streams.

Through narrative upcycling, we don’t just “process” these materials; we honor them. The Wander Bin is a visible symbol of Patagonia’s continual commitment to sustainability. It tells a story to every customer who walks into the store: Even the most specialized gear has a second act.

Honor the Past. Engineer the Future.

Ecologic Designs applauds Patagonia for their unwavering leadership in the upcycling space. This project proves that there are endless ways to repurpose materials—no matter how specialized they are.

Whether you are a global outdoor brand or a local organization, we are here to aid in that transformation. From retired banners to technical waders, your “waste” is our raw material.