Swedish fashion retailer H&M has launched a new multi-brand paper packaging system that can reuse and recycle packaging materials to solve the problem of packaging waste.
The brands operated by the H&M Group include the namesake brands H&M, &OtherStories, Weekday, Cos, Monki, Afound, and Arket. The group explained that with the increasing growth of global online shopping and As plastic waste increases, it is increasingly important to find new solutions for more sustainable packaging.
In the fashion industry, plastic has become one of the biggest challenges. It is not only used in synthetic materials such as polyester, but also in clothes hangers, hang tags, disposable shopping bags and plastic bags. When it comes to packaging purposes, the function of plastic is to protect the product, which makes replacing plastic packaging more challenging when it comes to preventing waste. The question is: How do we prevent packaging from becoming waste while still being the best quality product?
The retailer pointed out that when the products are delivered to customers, the packaging materials of most products become waste. To reduce the risk of waste generation, the company developed a new packaging that includes recyclable bags made from certified paper.
H&M added that brands are now expecting their brands to be more relevant when delivering messages, and the appearance of bags should be cleaner and more beautiful to prevent outdated packaging. information to reduce the risk of other waste.
Hanna Lumikero, head of new packaging system services at H&M Group, said: We are launching a packaging that is beneficial to both customers and the environment. There is still room for improvement in this area as we need to continue our efforts to replace the regular use of plastics throughout the logistics supply chain. But when new multi-brand purpose packaging is introduced, it will have a huge impact, using paper packaging solutions to replace the current plastic outer packaging. This will be a small step in a long journey.
So far, the new packaging solution has been recommended to customers from Cos, Arket, Monki, and Weekday, and millions of paper packages have been distributed to customers in the Netherlands. , customers in distribution centers in the UK, Sweden, China, Russia, and Australia as part of this case test.
The H&M brand has begun implementation in selected markets and plans to expand in the coming months. In early 2021, &OtherStories will also start using available Recycled paper packaging to ship online orders.
H&M Group said the solution will help achieve its circular strategy for packaging targets, including reducing packaging by 25% and making designs repeatable by 2025 at the latest. Use, recycle or compost packaging materials.
These goals are aligned with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, Fashion Pact (Fashion Pact) and Canopy’s Initiative Pack4Good initiative are consistent and allow the H&M Group to remove the use of most plastic shopping bags in brand stores and replace them with certified paper packaging materials. At the same time, combined with other environmental protection actions, plastic packaging materials will be reduced by 4.7% in 2019, which means a reduction of more than 1,000 tons of plastic packaging.
