How much more sustainable is it to pack the sweater in a paper bag instead of a plastic one?
The answer is: it depends.
Because whether paper is better than plastic depends on many factors: the raw material of the paper or plastic in question, the printing, the packaging and, of course, above all, the lifespan of the bag.
So why are so many companies starting with this measure of all things?
Because it makes a good impression on consumers. But where should fashion companies that want to make a relevant contribution to greater sustainability start? Successful sustainability strategies start where the need for action is greatest.
These are the areas with the greatest negative social and environmental impact, which contradict the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined as important by the UN.
The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is particularly urgent, as expressed in the Paris Agreement of 2015.
For the fashion industry, life cycle assessments show that the greatest negative impacts on the environment and human rights are caused during the production of raw fibers, yarn production, spinning, dyeing and finishing.
Specifically, SDGs 1 “Eradicate poverty”, 3 “Good health and well-being”, 6 “Clean water and sanitation”, 7 “Affordable and clean energy”, 13 “Climate action”, 14 “Life below water” and 15 “Life on land” are massively violated (study “Measuring Fashion”, Quantis 2018). Consequently, successful sustainability strategies also start here because they can realize the greatest possible improvements in these areas. The negative effects of packaging and transportation (as long as it is not by plane) are not as significant as those of the textile production phases mentioned above.
Their contribution to greater sustainability is therefore comparatively smaller and less significant.
Of course, these improvements are also welcome if they are implemented as one measure among many others. [print_link]