Finding an Alternative to Clear Poly Bags

In 2022, EcoEnclose published an in-depth resource, A Comprehensive Guide to Inner Packaging, which delves deep into different options for internal apparel packaging.

Here, we share a high-level summary of a critical question many forward-thinking apparel brands who are getting rid of plastic are asking: How can I replace my clear poly bag with plastic-free solutions while still keep my garments clean and undamaged in my internal supply chain?

• Use Cases of Clear Poly Bags
• Clear Poly Bag Alternatives For Shipping Protection
• Clear Poly Bag Alternatives For Fulfillment Centers
• Clear Poly Bag Alternatives For Overseas Factory Shipments

These 100% recycled paper, curbside recyclable thin kraft bags are a beautiful and high-quality solution for inner shipping protection. EcoEnclose Kraft Bag & Seals are made with 30# paper, a first of it's kind.

Like our Glassine Bags, our Kraft Bag & Seals feature a self-sealing closure. However, they are made with 60% post-consumer waste as opposed to virgin paper, making them ecologically superior.

If you prefer a curbside recyclable paper-based, smoother, translucent solution, Glassine Bags are a great option.

These bags are made with virgin, FSC® certified paper. Therefore, if our Kraft & Seal Bags work for your business and align with your brand, we recommend these as the more ecological option.

Wrap your item in one layer of Tissue Paper before putting them in their shipping package.

While paper won't protect goods from weather-related issues, it does protect from dust or scratches and adds sophistication to the overall package.

Corrugated Pads are a good solution if you package something rigid and flat, like art, prints, or a book.

If you protect your art with a plastic bag of some sort, switch to perfectly sized corrugated pads or chipboard pads.

Tightly rolled goods secured by a clearly labeled EcoBand Product Wrap can work well in many contexts.

First, rolling up apparel keeps it unwrinkled and relatively clean. This is also an extremely efficient way to ship and store goods. Second, paper bands can convey SKU, images, descriptions, and more.

Banding machines range in cost and size, so you should be able to find a lower-end model that fits your budget to get started on this strategy.

Instead of using a printed paper band, you could consider tightly folding or wrapping your goods, holding them together with fiber-based ties, and then affixing a hang tag to them.

This is a more manual solution but one you could get started on immediately as you don’t necessarily need special equipment.

EcoEnclose Hemp Twine is made from 100% natural hemp, which is a strong fiber, naturally biodegradable, and compostable. It is a sustainable crop (as compared to materials like cotton and wood for paper) and a renewable resource.

Glassine Bags are paper, so they are curbside recyclable and nautrally biodegradable. But why else are these excellent poly bag alternatives?

First, they are moisture and grease-proof. It is a toothless paper so it doesn't leave paper fibers on bag contents.

Secondly, the translucent paper allows for visual inspection and, with some systems, barcode scanning. We recommend ordering samples to test scannability in your environment.

Many brands transition to glassine bags with the intent of being able to see and scan through them. Often, these brands then learn that a more accessible approach is to add barcodes as exterior labels to the bags, rendering the glassine bag’s translucency unnecessary.

When companies are in this position and are using glassine bags without needing their scanability, we encourage them to use our Kraft Bag & Seals - which are made from 60% post-consumer waste paper and are more environmentally friendly than Glassine Bags.

Mesh bags that your end customers can reuse are an exciting solution. Depending on how dense the mesh is, your product can likely be better seen and identified by pickers at your fulfillment partner. Additionally, if the bag is genuinely durable enough for reuse, it provides your customer with a bonus bag when they order.

The downside is that these bags often won’t be reused, and since they aren’t recyclable the way that paper and plastic options are, they will inevitably end up in landfills. Additionally, if a mesh bag is such that some of the product can be seen through it, it means the product isn’t fully enclosed and protected.

It is important to note that this process could be time intensive and may result in the decision to begin exploring new fulfillment centers (or even to move fulfillment in-house). As such, it may be essential to bring team members from various departments - such as operations, marketing, finance, etc. - into the discussion early on to ensure you have the right voices at the table when navigating options.

Tightly rolling apparel and holding it together with a strong paper band is an excellent way to store and ship goods and makes them easy to pick. This strategy may require your manufacturer to invest in a banding machine and will require them to appropriately train their staff.

Paper versions of poly bags are an exciting alternative. Glassine bags are paper-based and curbside recyclable.

When you need your products to be fully and individually enclosed but don’t require translucency, we strongly recommend our Kraft Bags (no self-seal closure) or our Kraft & Seal Bags (with a self-seal closure).

We describe reusable mesh inner bags above; however, you could consider more robust reusable sacks that your company stores and then ship back to your manufacturer for reuse - creating a genuinely closed-loop packaging solution.

This is the most “risky” approach, but since reducing is always preferred over finding alternative packaging, it is worth exploring.

Right now, you may be receiving large shipping boxes filled with individually poly-bagged items. If this is the case, consider smaller shipping boxes lined with packaging paper, with your items tightly folded.

This solution will work best if your manufacturer is shipping directly to your company (rather than a 3PL), as your team can unpack and check goods and properly finish them for storage and fulfillment.