Sustainable packaging: the solutions for fashion

With the aim of promoting sustainable consumption and ensuring that the resources used remain within the economy for as long as possible, in March 2020 the European Commission presented as part of the Green Deal an action plan for the circular economy, which includes measures covering all stages of the product life cycle, from design to production to the consumer. European Union policies also aim to put 100 percent reusable or recyclable packaging on the market by 2030.

The boom in online shopping and the resulting growth in volumes in and out of warehouses have prompted fashion houses around the world to take action, and choices related to sustainable packaging in logistics have become increasingly important.

Fashion industry initiatives and efforts to safeguard the planet have manifested themselves in a wide variety of ways. Fashion Pact, a coalition of leading textile and apparel companies, was born out of the realization that only collective action can truly change the environmental impact caused by the fashion industry. More than sixty signatories from 14 countries, and over 200 brands, suppliers, and distributors, have thus come together to achieve a set of common goals: to combat global warming, restore biodiversity, and protect the oceans. Regarding single-use plastic, the project aims to reduce it through a two-pronged move: to eliminate unnecessary plastic in B2C packaging by 2025 and B2B packaging by 2030, and to ensure that 50 percent half of all plastic packaging is 100 percent recycled by 2025 for B2C and by 2030 for B2B.

Sustainable packaging for fashion: how to choose it

In order to choose the best type of packaging from a sustainable perspective, there are essentially two criteria that we recommend following, namely, related to the impact of transportation and the impact of the packaging itself.

Regarding the first point, it is important to try to minimize the weight and volume of the packaging: for example, avoiding packaging that is too large in relation to its contents and grouping products as much as possible.

Regarding the impact of packaging itself, first of all, it is important to clarify between recycled and recyclable: a recyclable material is one that can potentially be recycled; a recycled material is one that is produced from waste. That packaging is recyclable is good, but it is not necessarily recycled in practice. For example, low-density polyethylene, which is used in the production of polybags, is recyclable only under certain conditions: the first is that companies and stores effectively manage collection through qualified recyclers; the second is that the recyclability of polyethylene is not compromised by contamination, use of adhesives, or nonseparable labels. Furthermore, that packaging is recyclable does not imply that its production has been low-impact; therefore, we suggest going a step further and opting for packaging that is not only recyclable but also reusable, recycled, or, evaluating its level of sustainability on a case-by-case basis, bioplastics.

Bioplastic packaging should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis because there are different types, with very different impacts and characteristics. In general, they involve high production costs compared to conventional plastics but reduce the use of fossil materials and the volume of plastic waste. Recall that bioplastics might be biodegradable but not compostable, as these are different concepts, and that biodegradable materials usually are only so in controlled environments with special temperature and humidity conditions that are rarely found in nature but instead require specific facilities. If the material is landfilled, burned or dispersed into the environment, it can cause environmental damage.

Recycled materials have as a positive aspect that they do not require the expenditure of resources due to oil extraction, and that it is rather easy to verify the actual presence of recycled material through GRS or FSC Recycled certifications. There are envelopes, reel hangers made of 100% recycled plastic and recycled cardboard boxes on the market (it is always advisable to check the percentage of recycled content). However, recycled materials have an impact on the environment, as they require more or less complex processing. 

Therefore, in terms of circular economy, the real frontier of packaging is reuse. Significant is the project of the Finnish start-up Repack, the creator of packaging that can be reused some 20 times before being sent back to the manufacturer. 

As an alternative to recycled and reusable packaging, the solution is to remove it permanently. In fact, some brands, such as the U.S.-based Patagonia in partnership with Surfdome, have decided to eliminate plastic bags in transit. Leaving products exposed during their journey from the factory to the customer is not such a winning alternative, however, as various experiments have produced mixed results and unwanted surprises, such as soiled clothing.

Sustainable packaging for fashion: some suppliers 

In the textile trade show landscape, more and more trade shows are becoming more numerous that have chosen sustainability as a guiding principle for the growth of the fashion industry. Milano Unica since 2018 allows exhibitors to show collections made with reduced environmental impact. In the sustainable exhibitor catalog of the 29th edition we also find the Cadica Group, a Carpi-based leading company in the production of labels, tags and accessories. 

Sustainable packaging for fashion: what limitations it presents 

Changing packaging requires the cooperation of one's customers, who may have different needs. We get cases of brands whose buyers have different levels of attention with respect to sustainability and, for example, may not appreciate certain initiatives such as grouping garments due to the need to iron them upon arrival.

Through selection of the most sustainable packaging and organization of workshops and discussion tables between companies, suppliers and buyers, Cikis guides companies in choosing increasingly sustainable solutions that respect their needs and evaluates them on a case-by-case basis to respond to consumer demands and foster an alignment of thinking with their stakeholders.