The apparel industry is one of the significant contributors to plastic pollution, accounting for 8.3 million tons of plastic waste in 2019, as per a 2024 study. Consequently, 40% of plastic waste comes from the industry’s packaging, according to the 2022 data of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. How can sustainable packaging help in the apparel industry? How can we transition to a sustainable alternative packaging to plastic? Where can we find biodegradable packaging for business? All these questions will be asked in this article.

How Can Sustainable Packaging Help in the Apparel Industry?

Sustainable packaging can help the apparel industry in several ways:

Reduced Environmental Footprint

Sustainable packaging that uses renewable resources, like cassava starch bags, helps conserve non-renewable resources. They also require less energy to produce and can result in lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional packaging. Since sustainable packaging made of cassava starch is biodegradable and compostable, it helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

Improved Brand Image

With the rise of climate change awareness, consumers are increasingly becoming more eco-conscious. This translates to their purchasing habits as well. They tend to support eco-friendly businesses that practice sustainability in their products and services, resulting in customer loyalty.

Cost Savings

Simplified packaging minimizes its cost. Sustainable businesses in the Philippines know that eco-friendly packaging is often lighter, reducing shipping costs.

How Can We Transition to a Sustainable Alternative Packaging to Plastic?

When your business is used to a certain way, specific steps are necessary to affect change. Here’s a suggestion on how you transition from traditional to biodegradable packaging for business:

Assess

Evaluate the materials and processes used in current packaging. By conducting a life cycle analysis, you will understand the environmental footprint of your existing packaging.

Research

Identify and source sustainable materials that you can use in place of your current packaging. It could be recycled materials, biodegradable options, or reusable packaging. You may collaborate with suppliers specializing in sustainable materials, such as Oikos Sustainable Solutions.

Redesign

Simplify your packaging by using less material without compromising protection. You can also design it so customers can reuse or repurpose the packaging. In doing this, make sure that you stay aligned with your branding.

Implement

Carry out the changes on a small-scale trial basis to help identify potential problems. Make sure to monitor it closely and collect feedback from your customers. This will help you improve until you arrive at the perfect sustainable packaging for your business.

Where Can We Find Biodegradable Packaging for Business?

Some leading brands in the apparel industry have shifted to eco-friendly packaging, such as Nike’s “Nike One Box” packaging for their “Move to Zero” initiative and Adidas’s recycled paper packaging. The shift to greener alternatives is vital for the reduction of plastic waste that causes detrimental effects on the planet.
If you are looking for sustainable alternative packaging to plastic for your business, Oikos Sustainable Solutions is perfect! We offer 0% plastic and 100% biodegradable and compostable cassava and corn bags for sustainable companies in the Philippines. Here’s a link to our product catalog for more information.