Empack 2022: DaklaPack Europe and PostNL combine on carbon-cutting Fashionpack

06 Apr 2022 --- DaklaPack Europe is presenting “Fashionpack” – a reusable shipping envelope designed to slash carbon emissions – in collaboration with Dutch postal service PostNL at the Empack trade show in Gorinchem, Netherlands. 

We speak to Carina Bindel, sustainability manager at DaklaPack Europe, who describes the Fashionpack as “a reusable envelope created for shipping clothes.”

Bindel adds that the envelope has a “special valve” with which redundant air can be pressed out, allowing it to fit into a letter box.

Supporting carbon reduction
With traditional shipping products, clothing that consumers want to return are typically packed into new material and therefore, normally more packaging is needed for sending items back.

However, since the Fashionpack is reusable, less packaging is needed for returning products, says Bindel.

The sustainability manager highlights DaklaPack’s compliance with European regulations, which state that by 2030, all plastic packaging must be reusable or recyclable in an economically-viable way.

Bindel stresses that if the Fashionpack “stays in the loop” and is reused, CO2 emissions can be reduced “tremendously.”Bindel shows us the “I’m green plastic” grip bags.

Reusability challenges
Bindel explains one of the biggest challenges DaklaPack faces with its Fashionpack is achieving consumer acceptance. Therefore, “the Fashionpack must be easy to use and understand,” she says.

“Users must also be willing to reuse the shipping bags.”

Another challenge was establishing the right partnership. Bindel says this was important since many parties are involved. 

Bindel also alludes to how the pandemic influenced the company’s Fashionpack design amid new cultural norms like working from home. DaklaPack witnessed a renewed interest for single-use, sterile plastic packaging during the pandemic.

I’m green plastic
DaklaPack also showcased its other environmentally sustainable products, including the “I’m green plastic” grip bags.

Bindel explains the food-grade packaging material is made from sugarcane and therefore renewable. “Also, the product has the same chemical structure as conventional PE, which makes it compatible with existing recycling infrastructures.”

“This bio-based product also reduces CO2 emissions,” says Bindel.

She adds that Daklapak’s ambition is to offer a “holistic packaging product range” not only focused on the production of bioplastics or recyclables but “to have an environmentally sustainable solution for all of its packaging.”

, reporting from Empack 2022, Netherlands

By Natalie Schwertheim