Vela Paper Poly Bags

Vela bags of differing sizes / Source: Seaman Paper

AsiaBreathableEuropeFlexibleLightweightMoisture BarrierNorth AmericaPackagingPaperRecyclableSealableTextilesTransparentVela Paper Poly Bags

WHAT WE SAY:

We know that packaging clothes is necessary to prevent damage. But that does not mean they have to be wrapped in plastic and Vela proves the point.

Made from FSC-certified paper, they are water resistant, durable, transparent and kerbside recyclable. When there is an option like Vela that is equal to - or better than - plastic on every level, there is no reason not to go plastic-free.

Vela Paper Poly Bags

WHAT IS VELA PAPER POLY BAGS?

Vela is a Paper alternative to single-use plastic poly bags used to transport garments from retailer to customer.
An offshoot of Seaman Paper, a leading global supplier of lightweight papers and decorative packaging, Vela products are made from paper sourced from FSC-certified forests, recycled material or controlled wood.
Vela bags are a like-for-like replacement for plastic poly bags - transparent enough for visual inspection and manual barcode scanning, water resistant and durable. They also protect garments from humidity and moisture. The bags feature full-width adhesive and a concealed vent hole to keep garments clean and fresh too. A resealable strip allows the bags to be opened and resealed multiple times.
The paper bags are available in seven sizes, from XS to 3XL, and can be ordered in custom sizes too. Custom branding can also be applied to packaging with flexo printing and hot stamp, using non-toxic, water-based inks. While the Vela bags were launched with the apparel industry in mind, they are also suitable for non-apparel products.
As they are made from paper, Vela claims its bags are "naturally biodegradable," however it is not clear under which conditions, so we will not give that claim too much weight. They are, however, recyclable curbside and can be recycled four to six times, meaning maximum value is extracted from the raw material.

KEY PROPERTIES:

Breathable
Flexible
Lightweight
Moisture Barrier
Recyclable
Sealable
Transparent

INDUSTRY:

Packaging
Textiles

AVAILABILITY:

Commercially Available

DIVE DEEPER:

Approximately 180 billion poly bags are produced every year to store, protect and transport apparel, accessories and footwear, and less than 15% of them are collected for recycling.
Poly bags function to protect garments against dirt, dust and moisture, and they need to be transparent in order to view the garment and hang tags for inspection, packing and picking.
Forgoing protective packaging such as a poly bag can result in as much as 30% of products being so damaged in transit that they cannot be sold. As packaging makes up around 5% of the total carbon emissions of a garment lifecycle and production makes up as much as 80%, it’s a necessary trade-off to reduce waste overall.
Unlike conventional paper products, Vela is both transparent and moisture-resistant, and unlike poly bags it can be recycled at the kerbside. This is a central point of system change, which improves access to consumer-side recycling. The most recent data from the EPA shows that recycling rates for plastic bags, sacks and wraps was just 10% in 2018, while paper recycling rates were 68%.
In the UK, the difference is starker. Only 6% of plastic bags and wrapping are recycled, while around 80% of paper is recycled, highlighting the impact of access to kerbside services.
80% of brands and retailers consider end-of-life waste management and recyclability to be the highest priority in terms of packaging sustainability.
Brands that have adopted the packaging so far include Outerknown, Mara Hoffman, Oakley and Diadora, and stock is available across North America, Europe and Asia.
Vela claims it has replaced 105,039 pounds of plastic poly bags with Vela to date.
The company partners with South Pole to compensate for what it calls unavoidable emissions. Supported projects include Darkwoods Forest Conservation, which protects 55,000 hectares of forest in British Columbia and Envira Amazonia Tropical Forest Conservation, which protects over 39,000 hectares of tropical forest from logging and encroaching cattle ranches.
Seaman Paper recycles approximately 28% of wastewater effluent used in the papermaking process and has reduced its water usage by 15.5% since 2015. The company’s certifications include PEFC, Green Seal and Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

KEY FACTS:

80%

80% of brands and retailers consider end-of-life waste management and recyclability to be the highest priority in terms of packaging sustainability.

180bn

Approximately 180 billion poly bags are produced every year to store, protect and transport apparel, accessories and footwear.

15%

Less than 15% of poly bags are collected for recycling, globally.

Key Questions to Ask:

Will it cost more?

Over 70% of brands and retailers say that price competitiveness with current poly bags is somewhat or very important, however it is unclear how the price of Vela compares to its plastic counterparts. A New Earth Project sells a 750 case of medium-sized Vela bags for USD 99.25. Consider whether you would be able to absorb any extra costs in order to standardise use of Vela bags and accelerate uptake and economies of scale.

How will you ensure your Vela bags are recycled?

If your customer is used to putting their packaging in the bin, a behaviour shift will be needed for kerbside recycling. That Vela bags can be recycled at the kerbside is a boon for brands who want to showcase their commitment to sustainability, so it makes sense to incorporate that message into the design of your packaging.

What are the other impacts of Vela?

A recyclable, plastic-free material has an immediate environmental advantage over plastic, but can you measure or push for the measurement of other impacts, such as water and land use, emissions and chemicals? When you know the whole impact, you can innovate further.

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Vela Paper Poly Bags

WHAT WE SAY:

We know that packaging clothes is necessary to prevent damage. But that does not mean they have to be wrapped in plastic and Vela proves the point.

WHAT IS VELA PAPER POLY BAGS?

KEY PROPERTIES:

INDUSTRY:

AVAILABILITY:

Commercially Available

DIVE DEEPER:

Approximately 180 billion poly bags are produced every year to store, protect and transport apparel, accessories and footwear, and less than 15% of them are collected for recycling.

Poly bags function to protect garments against dirt, dust and moisture, and they need to be transparent in order to view the garment and hang tags for inspection, packing and picking.

In the UK, the difference is starker. Only 6% of plastic bags and wrapping are recycled, while around 80% of paper is recycled, highlighting the impact of access to kerbside services.

80% of brands and retailers consider end-of-life waste management and recyclability to be the highest priority in terms of packaging sustainability.

Brands that have adopted the packaging so far include Outerknown, Mara Hoffman, Oakley and Diadora, and stock is available across North America, Europe and Asia.

Vela claims it has replaced 105,039 pounds of plastic poly bags with Vela to date.

Seaman Paper recycles approximately 28% of wastewater effluent used in the papermaking process and has reduced its water usage by 15.5% since 2015. The company’s certifications include PEFC, Green Seal and Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

KEY FACTS:

80%

180bn

15%

Key Questions to Ask:

Will it cost more?

How will you ensure your Vela bags are recycled?

What are the other impacts of Vela?

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