At Preloved Atelier, we try to make every part of our business as sustainable as possible. That's why our packaging consists of recycled materials, and products can be recycled when receiving their order. This represents another step towards a better choice for the planet.
Packaging sustainability is an area impacting businesses across all industries, and as e-commerce continues to drive forward, the fashion market has a considerable role in minimising the impact of packaging waste.
Most clothing businesses want to reduce their environmental impact within their supply chain. Researchers from GlobalData explain that customers are typically more loyal to those that show clear sustainable measures, and 78% of global consumers look for sustainable/environmentally friendly features when purchasing a product or service.
The importance of sustainability
Rory Gopsill, analyst at GlobalData, explains that sustainability is a priority concern for customers, investors and regulators. All areas can impose damage on businesses that fail to operate sustainably. Customers can avoid brands and organisations, investors can stop investing, and regulators can impose penalties on those failing to adhere to environmental regulations.
As climate change remains a priority challenge, customers, investors and regulators will increasingly focus on businesses that fail to operate sustainably. The packaging applied by clothing businesses can significantly impact the overall environmental footprint. How efficiently a clothing business can integrate sustainable packaging into its operation will help influence whether customers, investors and regulators reward or potentially punish a business in the future.
According to the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), packaging makes up about 40% of plastic waste and only 9% is recycled. UNECE believes moving from single-use plastic packaging to wood-based alternatives is economically possible and environmentally efficient as the products have an effective carbon balance.
Liz Rettweger, the commercial director for Ineos Olefins and Polymers Europe, believes plastics have a critical role in a sustainable future, with environmentally friendly alternatives, like recycled plastics.
European clothing retailer C&A confirmed a new partnership with bio-economy startup Traceless Materials to replace single-use in-store hooks with a biodegradable alternative which could save 95% of carbon emissions produced by plastic disposal.
Companies within the clothing industry are looking to play a role in supporting a global circular economy, but defining how businesses can tackle packaging efficiently still requires further efforts.
