Dutch fashion brand Scotch & Soda is teaming up with Israeli biodegradable plastic packaging manufacturer Tipa to integrate bioplastic bags into its supply chain, as part of its strategy to move away from conventional plastic polybags.
Tipa’s bags are made from 20% bio-based plastic, derived from corn starch and sugar cane and 80% fossil-based plastic. Biodegradable and compostable the bags are designed to fully disintegrate over a three to six-month period.
Mintel comment:
“As online shopping and deliveries have risen in the last year driven by the pandemic this has led to an increase in the amount of packaging used. While sustainable packaging and delivery initiatives are gaining momentum in the fashion industry, the sector is still heavily reliant on single-use plastic packaging and has been slow to find alternative solutions.
Consumer awareness of the impact of climate change is growing and research for Mintel’s Fashion & Sustainability 2021 report found that 45% of consumers are interested in being able to return packaging from online fashion purchases to be recycled, rising to over half of all women. This highlights the importance of Scotch & Soda’s decision to start moving away from polluting plastic polybags towards compostable and biodegradable packaging and to help it to stand out as one of the brands leading the change.
Mintel Trend Rethink Plastic examines how brands are being challenged to streamline packaging, empowering consumers to feel confident in how to dispose of recyclable items. Fashion retailers that want to promote themselves as sustainable will need to ensure that their approach covers all areas of their business including packaging.”
