A sk Clive

TIME TO GET OVER PACKAGING

Excessive packaging is the bane of the garment sector, but there are alternatives, says Clive Allcott

With single use plastic concerns across the promotional industry how can the garment decorators, clothing suppliers and you, the distributor help in this global issue? Overpackaging is a great concern not only in textiles but across all sectors.

Garment decorators often face the issue of ‘double or overpackaging’. The supplied garments are delivered in individual polythene bags which are removed to apply the agreed branding method, the completed garment is then re-bagged and boxed for delivery.

We need to change this and clothing suppliers and wholesalers are looking where possible to deliver as a bulk packaged product (placed in one bag for protection instead of individual bagging). It may be a small step but I am sure it will be the first of many.

As decorators, we are also looking to make changes to replace the standard plastic bag with alternatives such as bio degradable or compostable packaging. However, research is still not conclusive on this as a solution.

Biodegradable plastics take three to six months to decompose fully which is much quicker than synthetic counterparts that can take several hundred years. The concern is that there are so many dependences associated with it, such as temperature and the amount of moisture present.

Many plastics that are described as biodegradable or compostable have to be collected and separated, then sent to a purpose-designed industrial composting facility where they can be broken down successfully. These facilities exist for food waste, but ensuring compostable packaging reaches them can be challenging. Although another step in the right direction it not the full solution.

There are other ways to present and package the garment such as recycled paper wraps, pillow packs, presented in a cotton bag, even potato sacks however they do come with additional costs. As suppliers we are continuously looking to find solutions but distributors need to drive these ideas into the marketplace.

It is in your hands to make a difference. Ask your decorator what options they have for packaging garments. It might be just what your client is looking for.

Happy selling, Clive (The Bag and Clothing Guru).