Before reaching the consumer, the vast majority of items in the fashion industry go through multiple cycles of being packaged and unpackaged, which results in the unnecessary disposal of large amounts of plastic packaging. Unfortunately, the majority of packaging is also discarded as waste in landfills and incinerators, adding to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the fashion industry. The disposal of used clothing in landfills is another way that the fashion industry contributes to environmental damage and exacerbates the problem. After the oil and gas industries, the fashion industry is still considered to be the most polluting industry in the world. Companies are continuing their search for solutions to the environmental waste problem posed by the fashion industry. Composting is one approach that is gaining more and more support. Compostability is a relatively new topic of discussion in the fashion industry. At the same time, the discussion of biodegradable materials is very popular right now; however, while biodegradable materials are always biodegradable, biodegradable materials are not necessarily compostable. Compostable materials decompose more quickly than biodegradable materials because the conditions under which they decompose are more favorable. Biodegradable materials must go through a lengthy process before they can be broken down into their natural components.
New businesses, such as TIPA, are emphasizing compostable alternatives to plastic as a means of promoting a more environmentally friendly end-of-life for packaging. The environmentally friendly products made by TIPA not only eliminate the need for the use of plastic but also add nutrients to the soil when composted. Compostable substitutes for materials such as leather are attracting interest from a number of different companies.
In 2001, Stella McCartney presented a collection that featured mushroom leather as a primary material. MycoWorks, a company that produces mushroom leather, is also making a name for itself as a major player in the market for compostable materials. In the realm of sustainability, fibers are a topic of considerable discussion; however, recent attention has been directed toward the packaging.
According to Michael Wass, vice president of TIPA, the amount of recyclable packaging that was actually recycled in the previous year was only 4%; therefore, a different solution is required. According to what Wass told FashionUnited, “flexible packaging is very challenging to recycle effectively,” despite the fact that recycling is important for products for which it is a good solution. “Composting has an inherent value at the end of life; consequently, if you can get compostable packaging to turn into something valuable, then you have solved the challenge that comes with recycling.” Recyclers are responsible for collecting items that, in most cases, they are unable to sell. TIPA sourced materials from certified compostable polymers in order to create their compostable packaging. Additionally, they sourced raw material in order to do so. TIPA’s packaging has been adopted by a large number of well-known brands, including Scotch & Soda and Gabriela Hearst, amongst others.
Plastic bags made in the traditional manner do not have an environmentally friendly disposal option, and flexible packaging is one of the most prevalent types of litter. They are difficult to catch and easily escape from landfills. Compostable packaging offers an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional materials in the supply chain. Compostable packaging can either be placed in a compost bin at home or taken to a facility where it will be composted, where it will undergo a rapid decomposition into organic materials. TIPA has discovered an environmentally responsible way to scale their business, despite the fact that there is a question as to how a sustainable and compostable company can do so.
They try to do as much of the sourcing and production as they can on a local level, which helps to cut down on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions caused by shipping. Customers who buy this packaging are getting a product that was conceived of, fabricated, and sourced entirely within the United States. Retailers are eager for a domestic production solution because problems with supply chains are becoming increasingly common. Compostable packaging is the way of the future because consumers of clothing believe that businesses should use less plastic.
Reference:
Fraser, Kristopher. “Composting Is the Future of Fashion Packaging.” FashionUnited, 30 June 2022, https://fashionunited.com/news/fashion/composting-is-the-future-of-fashion-packaging/2022063048378.
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