Reusable Packaging Pilot
This project focused on reusable packaging in the fashion e-commerce industry. It examined the environmental impact of transitioning from single-use to reusable packaging solutions, aiming to reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions. The study highlighted the variables that influence the viability of reusable packaging and offers insights on implementation and scaling strategies.
What's the challenge?
Plastic packaging, predominantly fossil-fuel-based, contributes significantly to environmental degradation due to low recycling rates, leakage into natural systems, and high greenhouse gas emissions. Bio-based plastics offer a promising alternative but face challenges such as functionality, cost, and limited infrastructure for collection and disposal.
Executive Summary
In certain applications, reusable packaging presents a promising solution to the growing plastic waste problem driven by the rise of e-commerce. The report compared the environmental impacts (using a Fast-Track LCA methodology) of single-use and reusable packaging systems, demonstrating that reusable options can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 82% when compared with a virgin LDPE mailer and plastic waste by 87% (by weight).
The success of reusable systems depends on factors such as return rates, transportation distances, type of single-use packaging (with or without recycled content) and system design (centralised vs decentralised). The report concludes with actionable recommendations for brands, innovators, and other stakeholders to optimise the implementation of reusable packaging solutions.
Goals of the Project
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Compare the environmental impacts of single-use and reusable packaging systems.
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Identify key variables influencing the success of reusable packaging, such as transportation, return rates, and packaging materials.
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Provide actionable recommendations for implementing and scaling reusable packaging in the fashion e-commerce sector.
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Promote the adoption of reusable packaging through collaboration across the supply chain.
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Project Results
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Reusable packaging reduces carbon emissions by 39-82% compared to single-use packaging, depending on system design and return rates.
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It reduces plastic waste by 87% (by weight) across all scenarios.
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Centralised reusable packaging systems can reduce emissions by 57%, while decentralised systems offer even greater reductions of up to 82% compared with a virgin LDPE mailer.
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Innovation Partners
Implementation Partners
Relevant Resources
The Path To Scaling Reusable Packaging In E-commerce
Seaweed-Based Sway Against Single-Use Plastic Packaging
Annually, we use about about 500 billion plastic bags to store, transport, and protect garments, footwear and accessories. Less than 15% of polybags in circulation are collected for recycling, according to Fashion for Good. However, if the startup Sway has its way, more thin film packaging like polybags, retail bags, and wrappers will be compostable and even carbon negative. The packaging company makes seaweed-based, home-compostable replacements for plastic packaging, which even come in bright, cheerful colours.
Fashion for Good Expands Polybag Recycling Work
Global sustainability initiative Fashion For Good (FFG) has partnered with UK recycler First Mile to streamline plastic polybag recycling efforts in London, as it expands the outlook of its Plastics Packaging Project.
Other Projects
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Behind the Break
Behind the Break is a multi-phase research initiative developed by Fashion for Good in collaboration with The Microfibre Consortium. The project takes a research-led approach to advance the fashion industry’s understanding of fibre fragmentation, addressing uncertainties in existing testing protocols and key knowledge gaps. By supporting the development of a more credible and consistent foundation, the initiative aims to enable stakeholders to make informed decisions and take decisive action to mitigate fibre fragment pollution, while leveraging the best available science.
Behind the Break 2.0
Behind the Break 2.0 is a targeted research initiative focused on addressing fibre fragmentation in textiles, building directly on the work started in Phase 1.0 (2024–2025), which tested the strengths and limitations of different methods used to measure fibre loss, identifying how much results vary between labs, and exploring what drives fibre shedding across three fabric types: cotton knit, cotton woven, and polyester knit. Phase 2.0 seeks to increase confidence in data quality, consolidate and refine existing testing approaches and knowledge across selected fabric archetypes, and deepen supplier engagement to support wider data collection within the space.
