There is no doubt that sustainability is present in every aspect of our lives. Consumers demand processes and products that are increasingly respectful of the environment and the business and productive framework strives to reduce its carbon footprint and thus achieve the climate neutrality we all hope to reach. That is why trends are increasingly focused on this path, especially in sectors such as fashion, accessories, beauty or health. And packaging has a lot to contribute in this regard.
In fact, according to a study by the consultancy firm TRUE Global Intelligence, in collaboration with Smurfit Kappa, which aims to discover the attitudes and behaviours related to the use of sustainable packaging in e-commerce in the field of fashion, “consumers believe that sustainable packaging is a key factor that has an impact when buying fashion online”. Specifically, 51% of them indicate that the use of ecological packaging materials plays a fundamental role when it comes to purchasing clothing, footwear and accessories.
Data that shows that buyers demand brands that are environmentally responsible and that packaging is tangible and visual proof of the commitment that brands have to sustainability. That is why more and more companies are working towards offering packaging solutions that respond to the environmental requirements of consumers and respond to all trends.
The problem
Plastic bags are all over the fashion industry’s supply chain. In the factory, each item is packaged in a single-use protective plastic bag to preserve it during transport to the warehouse or retailer. This is estimated to equate to 100 billion single-use plastic bags used for garments alone.
Unfortunately, we still cannot efficiently separate and recycle plastic, or efficiently collect waste for industrial disposal. For this reason, we believe that a technology that does not cause any harm at the end of its life cycle is the only truly viable option for an immediate impact on the fashion supply chain.
The solution: eco-friendly clothing bags
Eco-friendly clothing bags offer an eco-friendly packaging solution for the fashion industry replacing single-use polyethylene plastic bags.
Eco Garment Bags has launched patented bags using Hydropol™ technology, developed by the company Aquapak, with a material that can create a range of packaging products designed to eliminate plastic pollution. A functional and environmentally-safe plastic, designed for the circular economy, based on hydrophilic polymers (similar to water), based on PVOH, a polyvinyl alcohol used in surgical stitches or tablets for washing machines.
Compostable? Both at home and in the industry.
Biodegradable? Yes, it will naturally degrade on land or in the ocean.
Safe for the oceans? Yes, nothing will happen to a turtle if it bites an eco-friendly garment bag.
Dissolvable? Yes, it is eliminated immediately by placing it in hot water.
The product biodegrades immediately with hot water but, if this is not the case, the maximum expectation is 12 months in the ocean or in a landfill without causing damage. Thus it does not require changes to current waste management systems. In this way, the positive impact on the fashion supply chain would be immediate, leaving no toxic or harmful waste.
These bags still have a high cost compared to polyethylene, but the growing demand for sustainable solutions will rationalise costs to bring them more in line with current costs. In addition, another survey by Smurfit Kappa along with Drapers indicates that 50% of consumers are willing to pay more for more sustainable packaging and deliveries.
There is no doubt that the future of logistics and fashion is green.
For more information, please contact Rebecca Pickard, the founder and director of Eco Garment Bags, at her email rebecca@ecogarmentbags.com.
www.ecogarmentbags.com
