Four reasons to switch to paper-based packaging
We have a waste problem, and the fashion industry plays a big role in it. Companies manufacture 440 million tons of plastic waste every year, 40% of which is packaging (source). Single-use apparel packaging such as poly bags—the primary packaging used to protect apparel items, including swimwear, t-shirts and undergarments, during shipping—are part of the problem.
Many of these bags are made with fossil fuels and other chemicals that can leach into the environment. And while they’re technically recyclable, most cities with single-stream recycling programs do not offer curbside recycling options for plastic. This means you have to take them somewhere to be recycled—which only a small percentage of people will do.
Many apparel manufacturers are starting to recognize the issues associated with using single-use plastics in their supply chain. For example, Everlane has completely eliminated virgin plastics from its packaging and now uses a mix of recycled poly bags and FSC-certified glassine paper packaging, the latter of which is fully recyclable in any curbside program or municipal waste stream.
If you’re considering eliminating or reducing your use of single-use plastic packaging, here are four key reasons to switch to paper-based alternatives:
Consumers Prefer Paper Packaging for Apparel
The issue of plastic waste has gone mainstream and is now a major factor in your customers’ purchasing decisions. According to Environmental+Energy Leader, a survey found more than three-quarters of Americans wish brands used more paper packaging rather than plastic. The same study found that more than two-thirds of respondents (68%) would be more likely to purchase from online retailers and brands that offer plastic-free choices.
Paper Communicates Your Apparel Brand’s Values
Using single-use plastic packaging for products marketed as “ethical” or “sustainable” sends mixed signals to your customer. As journalist Jessica Paige notes in Packaging Gateway, “Although packaging is an important brand-building tool, it can also be reputationally damaging if brand values aren’t translated in the packaging … If customers order a sustainable product, they’ll expect the packaging to follow suit—and be instantly disappointed if it doesn’t before they’ve even opened the box.”
Paper Packaging Reduces Environmental Waste
Taking up to 1,000 years to break down in the environment, plastic waste is not only unsightly, it can also cause harm to wildlife big and small. Paper packaging is more easily recycled and breaks down more readily in natural settings, reducing the potential risk to ecosystems.
The Right Paper Packaging Can Enhance Your Brand
For a long time, paper eco-packaging was synonymous with the brown kraft paper used for paper grocery bags, but that’s no longer the case! Innovations and technology have led to the development of various paper colors, weights, and coatings to create paper that’s as beautiful as it is durable. Paper packaging can even be translucent for easy barcode scanning if needed. What’s more, paper packaging can be creatively designed with rich full-color printing to reflect your brand and delight your customers.
How to Choose Paper Packaging for Apparel
Ready to present your apparel products in packaging that doesn’t require a suffocation warning for young kids? Good news—plenty of paper-based alternatives exist that are not only 100% curbside recyclable and biodegradable, but are sourced responsibly and can build your brand value! JBM Packaging offers:
- Recycled Content: At JBM Packaging, we manufacture innovative packaging solutions made with recycled content to help meet your sustainability goals.
- Sustainably Sourced Paper: Looking for a particular certification, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or the Rainforest Alliance? If you’re looking to ensure your paper is sourced responsibly, we can help you design a package that meets your requirements.
- Products Made in the USA: Unlike many of our competitors, all of our products are made in the USA, manufactured in our own facilities near Cincinnati, Ohio. This helps reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation to our partners within the United States.
- Biodegradable Materials: Made with a high percentage of biodegradable materials, paper is more easily able to decompose in the natural environment, giving you the peace of mind that your packaging will not end up as environmental waste that could potentially bring harm to our planet.
- Glassine Paper: Glassine is a type of paper that possesses the appearance and durability of waxed paper, but unlike waxed paper, it’s naturally biodegradable. Glassine can be branded with crisp, full-color artwork and custom-sized for your product, and it is easily recycled or composted at the end of its use.
- Community Impact: Sustainability also means finding ways of doing business that help people and build a better future. Our Fair Chance program provides formerly incarcerated workers with transferable job skills and meaningful career opportunities to help them become responsible contributors within their communities.
If you’re ready to stop wrapping your apparel products in plastic, JBM can help. From as small as 1.2” x 1.5” to as large as 13” x 16”, and everything in between, our team will help you design the perfect packaging for your product.