New bags use Hydropol™ – a marine-safe, biodegradable and recyclable polymer as an alternative to conventional plastics – Hydropol™ breaks down without forming harmful microplastics
Aquapak Polymers Ltd, the developers of Hydropol™, a unique polymer which is soluble and non-toxic to marine life, has today announced a new collaboration with Maxim and N Brown, the inclusive retail platform and owner of the JD Williams, Jacamo and Simply Be brands. Hydropol™ can be used as an alternative to conventional plastic in a wide variety of packaging applications as it provides the same functionality and performance but without the associated environmental problems.
In an effort to reduce plastic waste and avoid confusion regarding recycling, the retailer will start implementing Maxim’s PolymaxTM powered by HydropolTM packaging for its garment bags for N Brown own-label products in early November. This will make the retailer the largest online user of the eco-friendly packaging technology in the fashion industry in the United Kingdom.
In contrast to conventional plastic film, clothing bags manufactured with HydropolTM may be recycled with food, paper, plastic, and metal without posing any contamination risks. The Hydropol TM packaging may be disposed of by consumers in their kerbside recycling, where it will dissolve safely and not harm the environment or interfere with the recycling process. It can also go In standard black bins where it will safely biodegrade, It can even be dissolved completely in warm soapy water and washed away in the kitchen sink, leaving no harmful microplastics behind.
The switch to PolymaxTM powered by HydropolTM packaging will significantly reduce the quantity of plastic used in N Brown’s operations while also providing consumers with a simpler and more environmentally friendly option to dispose of their packaging. Once all own-brand items adopt the PolymaxTM driven by HydropolTM packaging, it is anticipated that plastic consumption will be cut in half, or 44%.
An estimated 25 million tonnes of traditional, difficult-to-recycle packaging could be kept out of the environment annually if all clothing packaging was made of PolymaxTM driven by HydropolTM.
According to Aquapak Polymers CEO Mark Lapping, “HydropolTM gives fashion retailers the chance to reimagine packaging as we know it.” N Brown will almost halve the use of conventional plastic by switching to the new garment bags which provide optimum garment and merchandise protection but without harming the environment. We hope other retailers and brand owners will take similar action to meet the needs of customers, shareholders and other stakeholders while significantly reducing the spread of plastic pollution and improving their sustainability credentials.”
“We take very seriously minimising our environmental impact while providing our customers with a high-quality product experience,” stated Sarah Welsh, CEO of Retail at N Brown Group. Since packaging accounts for a sizable amount of the plastic used in all aspects of our business, it has always been a crucial area for innovation on our part.
“Polymax powered by HydropolTM is a really exciting product that offers us the ability to package our clothes effectively without the use of conventional plastic and provides our customers with multiple easy and environmentally friendly disposal options.
“Without sacrificing the calibre of our packaging, this new design will allow us to cut our plastic consumption by 44%. We’re excited for customers to start receiving some own-brand products in this new packaging this Autumn, with the full rollout to 100% of own-brand products set to be complete by the end of 2025.”
Tom Wielicki at Maxim said: “We’re incredibly excited that N Brown Group will become the largest retailer in the UK to use Polymax ® powered by HydropolTM packaging for their products. We believe that Polymax ® powered by HydropolTM is the solution to the burden of conventional single-use plastic in the fashion packaging sector, and we’re proud of the fact that it is fully recyclable, biodegradable and water soluble.
“We hope that other large retailers in the UK will follow N Brown in choosing a more sustainable future for their garment delivery.”