It’s no secret that the apparel industry has a problem with plastic waste. The challenge of maintaining quality across various aspects of the textile value chain has meant that historically, disposable plastic packaging has remained a necessary evil. A 2014 internal case study reviewing Patagonia’s use of polybags found they were, “critical to ensuring that garments stay clean from the finished goods factory through to the distribution centre.” Eliminating these bags would result in significant financial and environmental costs through the damage done by exposing garments to dirt and moisture.While Patagonia tested various alternatives, such as paper mailers, none were able to offer the same level of protection that polybags could. Until recently, solutions had centred on reducing the size and amount of disposable plastic used in the delivery of clothes. Now though, with the growing availability of reusable packaging systems to a mass market of retailers, plastic waste is becoming an unnecessary, potentially absent, part of the delivery process.One of the leading systems available to retailers in Northern Europe is RePack, whose sleek yellow pouches can be used up to 20 times, coming in a range of sizes to fit the garment being delivered. Consumers can return them hassle-free using the postal return sticker included in the original package.
“My name is RePack. Thanks for checking me out! The special thing about me is that I am a 100 % reusable package. Not to brag, but I can easily be used at least 20 times.”
For this study we spoke to brands utilizing RePack for e-commerce sales, as well as end users, to find out how a reusable packaging system changes the retailer-consumer relationship. Aligning with many organisations’ circular strategy, reusable packaging allows them to engage with consumers in the most circular way possible. Mud Jeans listed this as a key advantage, having a delivery system in keeping with the wider values of an environmentally conscious brand. With many retailers signing up to sustainable goals recently, such as the GFA’s 2020 commitments, the practical difficulties of fulfilling those pledges are becoming increasingly evident. While the desire from brands to improve their systems is clear, the ‘how’ of implementing change has often been lacking. Systems like RePack are one piece of the puzzle that will allow brands to fulfil their sustainability KPIs.Currently working with Makia and Pure Waste, brands that cater specifically to a sustainably savvy consumer, RePack is offered as the only delivery option. This allows both brands to achieve their waste reduction goals, and interact with their consumers in a new way. For those consumers, engaging with circularity comes in a very practical way. After opening the package, they're instructed how to fold the Repack back up and use the sticker provided to send the bright envelope back on its way. When asked if RePack improved the online shopping experience (on a scale of 1-5), respondents gave an average response of 4.6 to the RePack research team.
RePack also positively incentivises both brands' consumers to return the packaging by offering a reward or voucher to be claimed at partner stores also using RePack. The voucher entices consumers to tryout other brands within the RePack community, creating a collective of loyal customers around brands that use the system. RePack’s own data suggests that up to 60% of the vouchers are claimed, with each RePack delivery creating future return customers, indicating clear opportunity for growth.This incentivisation scheme has been used differently with individual brands, where the brand itself encourages the use of RePack by allowing consumers to opt for the environmentally friendly packaging option. Circle economy’s own end consumer research suggests a prevailing preference for multiple use packaging already exists. One happy customer told us, “If I had any influence on the shipping methods of companies I would have them all use Repack.” (End user research)While RePack's relevance in reusable packaging for e-commerce is an apparent case, what makes the system unique to circularity is its ability to engage consumers directly in a take-back scheme. Brands are able to offer an end of life service for their products, while integrating circular strategies and educating the consumer at the same time. This kind of grassroots circularity has the power to inspire a wide consumer base to turn their own used clothes into another’s treasure.The recent product take back and material upcycling partnership with Finlayson accomplished this. In February 2017, Repack helped collect 11 tonnes of worn denim from Finlayson's customers which was then upcycled into towels and sold again in their retail stores and online. Before RePack, take back campaigns tended to remain exclusive to the offline environment, limiting participation to geographical or other constraints. At the time of writing Finlayson and RePack have run three take back campaigns for different textiles in the online environment and more consumers have been opting to have their products shipped in RePack with every campaign.
It’s clear that reusable packaging systems have the potential to remove a key obstacle in the movement towards a circular clothing industry, that of plastic packaging waste. The development of reusable delivery systems thus accelerates that movement by providing brands with a practical solution to the challenges of meeting sustainability targets. Systems like RePack allow participation in these developments by both brands and consumers. As the community continues to grow, RePack has the potential to expand consumer loyalty amongst brands. A unified movement of brands and consumer towards the circular economy? Sounds like a plan. Find out more here.
AMSTERDAM, 26 July 2018 – Experts bundle their knowledge to tackle challenges in the construction sector to finance circular construction. The Community of Practice 'Financing Circular Construction’ will provide a practical roadmap to design and create a viable and financeable circular residential housing project in Amsterdam.A circular building is designed in a way that it can be entirely disassembled and individual components can be readily repaired, reused or repurposed. In the construction and use phase, resources are optimally used and the use of raw or toxic materials is minimised.
Community of Practice (CoP)The working group format Community of Practice (CoP) is an initiative of NederlandCirculair! and emphasises the importance of a collaborative approach, connecting relevant industry stakeholders. The Circular Construction CoP follows the 2017 Circular Phone CoP, where accountants, legal and financial experts created several practical, open-source tools that support entrepreneurs in their ambition to realise service-based business models.
After the successful Circular Phone CoP last year, we are happy to have, once again, gathered such an impressive group of experts that will help overcome legal, financial and valuation barriers for the construction industry. We are very optimistic that we will be able to create practical tools that accelerate a circular built environment.- Fieke de Haan, Lead Finance Program Circle Economy
Focus on construction sector; participation Eigen HaardCircle Economy's Circularity Gap Report states that the built environment is the largest consumer of raw materials, using 42.4 billion tonnes annually. This is 40% of our total annual resource use. Social Housing corporation Eigen Haard is aware of the impact of the built environment on the environment. Circularity in constructing and maintenance is one of its long-term goals.
At Eigen Haard we have recently defined our circular ambitions. This CoP offers an ideal opportunity to source and apply expert knowledge to one of our residential housing projects and accelerate our circular ambitions.- Jeffrey Hirs, Projectcontroller Eigen Haard
A new model for the construction sectorThe CoP aims to develop new, circular business models that accelerate the transition to a circular construction sector. To do so, the sector has to evaluate aspects like design, material choice, and possibilities of maintenance and reuse. Circular strategies force the industry stakeholders to redesign the way they work together, change cash flows and risk evaluation mechanisms. Questions that will be tackled during the CoP focus on harvesting, circular design, new perspectives on ownership, legal constructions and the valuation and financing of buildings. The outcomes and practical tools following the project will be published in an open source whitepaper.The 'Financing Circular Construction’ CoP takes place from June until October 2018, is co-funded by NederlandCirculair! and brings together ING, Allen & Overy, Eigen Haard, The Royal Netherlands Institute of Chartered Accountants, Alfa Accountants and Advisors, RICS, Madaster, Arcadis, Arup, Sustainable Finance Lab, DOOR Architecten and Circle Economy.
For more information about the CoP Financing Circular Construction, contact us:
Aglaia Fischer: aglaia@circle-economy.com
Webinar centres around urgency for businesses and investors to take 'Linear Risks' seriousWelcoming an international audience Circle Economy was happy to co-host the 'Linear Risks' webinar together with PGGM, KPMG, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development after launching the 'Linear Risks' Essay in June 2018. Over 120 participants from various corporations, SMEs, governmental organisations, NGOs, and advisory firms attended the webinar to learn more about ‘Linear Risks’ from the perspectives of Circle Economy as a circular economy expert, WBCSD as a global business network, PGGM and EBRD as financial institutions, and KPMG as an advisory firm.Key discussions from the webinar centered around the urgency for businesses and investors to take ‘Linear Risks’ into account in their decision making, particularly as companies and government agencies are increasingly coming to realise the impacts of ‘Linear Risks’. Questions from the audience highlighted the need to start developing more concrete metrics, models, and disclosure guidelines for ‘Linear Risks’, as well as start to adapt and improve existing risk management models and ESG frameworks to incorporate ‘Linear Risks’.As the 'Linear Risks' essay demonstrates, linear economic business practices are creating real business threats, including risks associated with the use of scarce and non-renewable resources; prioritisation and sales of products produced with virgin resources; the failure to collaborate; and failing to innovate or adapt. These are all factors that will negatively impact the ability of organisations to continue business as usual and prevent us from closing the circularity gap.With the ‘Linear Risks’ webinar, we started taking the first steps to raise awareness and engage in a constructive dialogue with the financial and business community to better understand and model ‘Linear Risks’. We were very happy to see so much interest, engagement, and feedback from the community, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure that ‘Linear Risks’ become an integral part of financial and business decision-making.
[cta link="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWuXl1Y36M4"]Watch the Webinar[/cta]
As part of Circle Economy's ambition to place circularity on an international stage and bring the topic to a wider audience, we are proud to announce our official partnership with Helsinki Fashion Week. Helsinki Fashion Week is the world’s first Fashion Week aiming to be 100% sustainable and is taking a ground-breaking stance by putting the circular economy front and center. Circle Economy is thrilled to become an official knowledge and content partner to this progressive platform. Circle Economy will support Helsinki Fashion Week in presenting the topic of circularity to a wider fashion audience. This year’s event, that takes place from the 20-25th July, rests on the twin pillars of the circular economy and sustainability. 30 brands, who are all integrating environmental and social sustainability at their core with garments crafted from recycled materials or natural and reusable fabrics, will be brought together in a celebration of all things circular. Pick of the bunch is The New Normal project, a closed loop fashion collection produced in collaboration with WFF and the Infinited Fibre Company. Since an estimated 80% of a product’s environmental and economic impact is determined at the design stage, empowering designers to make the right decisions, and rewarding those who are already are, will undoubtedly accelerate the industry's transition to a sustainable and circular economy.
We are thrilled to be able to support Helsinki Fashion Week in becoming circular and applaud the bold stance they've taken. It's time that the concept of the circular economy reached the wider fashion community and partnerships like ours are critically needed in order to bring this urgent topic from books to the runway. Circular fashion needs to be the new normal. - Jade Wilting, Head of Partnerships Textiles Programme, Circle Economy
This year’s runway spectacle will be supported by The EcoVillage infrastructure, utilizing green technologies and renewable energy sources to provide for a ‘zero waste’ event. By showcasing the latest developments and innovation in technology, electronic transportation, mobility and robotics, the village will offer unique experiences by questioning the nature of being, existence, and reality in the evolving world and the fashion industry. Circle Economy is thrilled to see these innovations implemented in practice.
"It is most vital to work and collaborate across industries. It's the ultimate key to realise a circular economy in all sectors and aspects of human life. Circle Economy is a great partner whose knowledge and expertise spans many different sectors and industries and has the ability. Together, I believe we have the power to inspire people to see the benefits and adopt a circular lifestyle."- Evelyn Mora, Founder Helsinki Fashion Week
Helsinki Fashion Week are clearly focused on and dedicated to creating a more circular and sustainable fashion industry through cross-industry partnerships. If you want to hear more about their commitment to the cause, their Advantage podcast series offers insightful discussions on the challenges and rewards of implementing circularity within the industry and everyday life.
Learn more about our work within textiles here: [cta link="https://www.circle-economy.com/textiles/"]Circle Textiles[/cta]
About Helsinki Fashion WeekHelsinki Fashion Week 2018 showcases sustainable fashion designers to international buyers, press, and other professionals in the fashion industry. The event offers new experiences and information to visitors through the EcoVillage platform which is built based on circular and sharing economies. The event aims to inspire sustainable urban development and cross-industry solutions to current and future environmental challenges in the fashion business.About Nordic Fashion Week AssociationNordic Fashion Week Ry (NFW) is an internationally recognised, not-for-profit nongovernmental fashion organisation, working to advance the Nordic and international export of sustainable fashion and business. NFW collaborates and consults several organisations, enterprises, research institutes and other industry events on the themes of circular economy and sustainability. NFW's yearly main project Helsinki Fashion Week (HFW), is held during July 20–25th. The event supports Finnish and international designers by offering them a sustainable and free-of-charge platform, to showcase their creations for the international fashion buyers and press.
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