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The need to reduce the use of plastic is becoming increasingly evident. In recent years, many companies have committed to reducing their environmental impact by adopting more eco-friendly materials in packaging.
The rise of e-commerce and the rapid increase in online shopping have led to a significant growth in shipments and the use of packaging made from unsustainable materials such as polystyrene and plastic.
Companies are paying more attention to the design of packaging that holds their products because the function of packaging goes beyond the purely practical aspect of protecting and transporting the product: packaging is considered a very important element for brand perception by consumers and can increase the perceived value of a brand and the company.
The alternative to plastic packaging: fabric bags
Plastic has been used excessively across all sectors, but in recent years several companies have changed course and started converting to more eco-friendly materials. This decision has also been taken to respond to the demand for plastic-free packaging, a feature that proves fundamental in the purchasing decision process.
For this reason, rather than using single-use or non-biodegradable materials, many companies use different types of eco-friendly packaging.
Among the eco-friendly packaging alternatives adopted by companies, one is fabric packaging.
From shoppers to food-use bags, and including packaging for fashion and bags for makeup and cosmetics: fabrics are suitable for holding various types of items, of different shapes and sizes, resistant to impact and tears, and can be reused many times and in many alternative ways.
The fabric packaging sector is expanding into an increasing number of industries. Here are 4 sectors using fabric packaging that you may not have considered. Let’s take a look.
1. Vending
That is, vending machines. The vending sector also uses fabric bags to replace plastic.
Usually, the coin container inside the machine is plastic and can be replaced by a mesh bag with barcode. In addition to eliminating unnecessary plastic, the bag also filters impurities—such as granules that can accumulate in coffee machines, for example—and is convenient for operators who restock the machines because it can contain coins and banknotes. Thanks to the barcode, each bag has an identification number linking it to a specific vending machine. Convenient, effective, and eco-friendly!
2. Cosmetics
The cosmetics sector is one of the most invested in to innovate its packaging. Materials used over the years for packaging beauty and cosmetic products have mainly been plastic and glass, especially glass which has been and is still used for perfumery. Beyond these, many companies today are looking for more sustainable packaging.
Because of this, beauty cases, pouches and fabric bags customized with the logo or other brand features are increasingly common, designed on a made-to-measure basis to enhance products—perfumes, lipsticks, creams, and any item related to beauty and wellness—with packaging that can be reused many times.
3. Jewelry
Fabric packaging has been especially successful in the luxury sector. One example is fabric packaging for jewelry. There are many available alternatives in this sector. Depending on the brand and type of product, more sophisticated fabrics such as satin or more practical fabrics like cotton bags, felt, or linen can be chosen to give the packaging a more classic appearance.
Not to mention bio-ecological bags for brands particularly attentive to the environmental sustainability of their products.
4. Food
Also in the food sector, where single-use plastic was reaching worrying levels, efforts are being made to change direction. For instance, bags made from jute fiber are widely used for packaging agricultural products. Think of coffee bags or legume bags. Meanwhile, a cotton twill bag, as used for household packaging, can be good for cereals, coffee, and other foods to be stored away from humidity and heat sources.
