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.
Problem Statement
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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Stakeholders Involved
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.
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Sorting for Circularity Rewear
Fashion for Good expanded its Sorting for Circularity framework to address the challenge of sorting for rewearable textiles to understand better their resale potential and the demand across the second-hand market. We launched an 18-month initiative in January 2024 in collaboration with Circle Economy, brand partners adidas, Inditex, Levi Strauss & Co. and Zalando to enhance the sorting of rewearable textiles using innovative AI technologies. The project seeks to improve garment recovery for resale, promoting circularity in the fashion industry.
