Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) has partnered with 1% for the Planet, an organization that encourages companies to give back a portion of their sales to benefit the environment. Vantage has pledged to donate 1% of decoration sales from Patagonia items and 1% of sales from its upcoming recycled and climate collections to support nonprofit organizations focused on environmental and sustainability causes.

“By 2020, we plan to manufacture several styles with recycled fabric, including men’s and women’s polos, shirts and hoodies,” said Vantage President Ira Neaman.

Initially, the supplier will be rolling out six eco-friendly styles made with recycled polyester, according to Gina Barreca, director of marketing at Vantage.

Already an approved decorator for Patagonia products, Vantage was in an ideal position to partner with 1% for the Planet, an organization co-created by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. Neaman said he was thrilled with the partnership because it will “promote valuable environmental practices in the workplace and increase preservation of our environment.” The partnership is an extension of Vantage’s mission for operating in a responsible and sustainable manner, as outlined in the company’s corporate and social responsibility code of conduct.

To begin with, Vantage will donate its funds directly to 1% for the Planet and allow that organization to allocate it to worthy causes, Barreca said. Next year, however, Vantage plans to choose a local organization for donations, to coincide with the release of its eco-friendly apparel line, she added.

Chouinard and Craig Matthews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, created 1% for the Planet in 2002. To date, the organization’s business members have given more than $200 million to environmental nonprofits. “The intent of 1% for the Planet is to help fund these diverse environmental organizations so that collectively they can be a more powerful source in solving the world’s problems,” Chouinard wrote in his book Let My People Go Surfing.

Based in Avenel, NJ, Vantage operates more than 1,200 embroidery heads and offers a number of leading retail brands as well as several of its own proprietary labels. Last year, Vantage ranked 31 in Counselor’s Top 40 Supplier list, reporting North American revenues of $49.6 million in 2017.

Distributors interested in using Vantage for custom decoration on Patagonia apparel and bags can contact their sales rep or email sales@vantageapparel.com.