Sustainable Packaging For Fashion

Sustainable Packaging for fashion

Designers are often challenged by the plastic and waste created by the packaging of materials they receive from fashion suppliers and production, as well as their own needs when shipping fashion product to customers. ‘Sustainable’ can be confusing or contradictory when it comes to packaging, but below are some of the options with a few resources to consider:

Recycled packaging made from previously used plastic bags, bottles, and paper may be made of fossil fuels but re-use of existing materials at least prevents the use of new virgin resources. Boxes, mailers and tissue can be made from recycled materials and then reused and eventually recycled in an effort to keep it from the landfill as long as possible. Be sure to remind your customer of their options for re-use and recycling upon receipt.

Pre-used Designers can offer online customers an option to receive their goods in “pre-used box” or with “pre-used packing materials” instead of new packaging. This is great way to empower customers who care about waste and check the box knowing their box may arrive looking a little more worn or the tissue paper may be crumpled. Just be sure the materials inside the packaging are still clean and do the job to protect the product.

Compostable bags, tissue, cards, labels and mailers are made from plant based materials like corn or wheat and can break down completely leaving no waste IF they are composted in the right manner. The materials need the right conditions to break down properly. Customers need to fully understand how to dispose of compostable materials properly or they can ruin a batch of perfectly good recycling and give off toxic gases in a landfill.

Reusable packaging like cotton totes bags are designed to be used more than once. They are durable, give a high quality feel and are often easy to clean. Fabrics scraps are a great option for this vs purchasing new materials. The goal for reusable packaging is to keep it out of the landfill as long as possible so you may want to come up with some inspirational ideas for your customers on several ways they can reuse.

Glassine bags are a good paper-based alternative to clear poly bags. Glassine is a smooth, glossy paper that is transparent, moisture resistant and acid free. It can be made from recycled paper and is recyclable, biodegradable and compostable.

Below are a few good options to explore for sustainable fashion packaging that fit into the above categories. Now if we can just get the stores to stop writing plastic bags into their shipping manuals!

Remake paper is made from the discarded residue of the leather manufacturing process. It is FSC certified, uncoated and composed of 40% recycled pulp, 30% virgin FSC certified pulp and 25% leather by-product. It’s 100% recyclable, biodegradable and is produced using renewable electricity.

Noissue.co  All of Noissue’s circular packaging is made of either compostable, recycled or reusable materials. They use soy-based and their tissue and stickers are acid-free and FSC Certified. 

The Boxery carries a wide range of boxes and packaging materials and while there are plenty of poly bags and plastic wrap available on the site, there are many options for boxes, mailers, tissue and more which are made from 100% recycled materials and are 100% recyclable.

Paper Mart has many similar offerings.

Westpak focuses on the jewelry industry with smaller boxes, bags and displays. While there is a wide selection on traditional packing materials, there are some boxes, bags packing materials made from recycled materials.