How Is Sustainability Changing Packaging Decisions in Fashion? Sustainability in fashion retail is no longer a standalone initiative. It is now a critical factor shaping packaging strategy, material selection and supply chain decisions, particularly for procurement and operations teams.
Packaging sits at the centre of this shift. It directly impacts cost, compliance, carbon footprint and recyclability, making it one of the most visible and measurable areas of sustainability performance. As regulation increases and commercial pressure grows, packaging decisions are becoming more complex and more consequential.
This article is based on an interview with Bethan Taylor, Global Sustainability Manager at Checkpoint Apparel Labeling Solutions as featured in LoopedIn. Drawing on her experience across sourcing, supply chain and sustainability, it explores how packaging decisions are evolving and what procurement teams need to prioritise.
From material selection and labelling to data, compliance and circular design, the role of packaging is expanding. Success now depends on balancing performance, regulatory requirements and long-term sustainability goals within a clear sustainable packaging strategy.
How Does Product and Packaging Design Influence Circularity Outcomes?
A consistent theme is that sustainability outcomes are largely determined at the design stage.
Material selection, product construction and packaging formats all influence whether an item can be reused, repaired or recycled at end of life. Decisions made early in the process define the environmental impact that follows.
The industry is gradually moving away from a linear “take-make-waste” model towards a more circular approach. However, achieving this requires businesses to design with the full lifecycle in mind, including how products will be collected, sorted and processed after use.
For procurement and operations, this means engaging earlier in the process and working more closely with design and product teams.
How Is Regulation Changing Fashion Procurement and Supply Chain Strategy?
Legislation such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and forthcoming Digital Product Passport requirements are re-shaping expectations across the sector.
These frameworks are designed to improve accountability, fund recycling infrastructure and increase transparency. However, they also introduce complexity, particularly where data requirements and operational processes are not fully defined yet.
Bethan highlights that while regulation is still evolving, businesses should not wait for full clarity. Reviewing data, engaging suppliers and identifying gapes now will reduce risk later.
At the same time, there is a need to stay focused on the underlying objective, reducing environmental impact, rather than viewing compliance as an end in itself.
How Do Labelling Decisions Impact Supply Chain Performance and Sustainability?
Labelling has traditionally been treated as a functional requirement, focused on compliance, price and application.
That is changing. Technologies such as RFID are turning labels into valuable sources of data, enabling greater visibility across inventory, production and logistics. This information supports more accurate forecasting, reduces overproduction and improves operational efficiency.
As a result, labelling is increasingly influencing wider supply chain decisions. What was once considered a minor component is becoming a strategic lever for both performance and sustainability.
Why Does Sustainability in Fashion Now Require a Cross-Functional Strategy?
Sustainability is often still viewed as the responsibility of a single team or function. In practice, it cuts across every part of the business.
From material sourcing and supplier selection to packaging decisions and logistics, environmental impact is shaped by day-to-day operational choices. Procurement, operations and product teams all influence outcomes, often more directly than sustainability specialist themselves.
Bethan describes her role as bringing these areas together, aligning priorities and ensuring consistency across the organisation. The implication for businesses is clear: sustainability cannot sit in isolation. It must be embedded into decision-making across the value chain.
Why Is Data Critical to Sustainable Procurement and Supply Chain Decisions?
One of the most significant shifts highlighted is the growing importance of data.
Technologies embedded within labels can provide detailed insights into product movement, material composition and lifecycle information. While RFIS itself does not directly reduce environmental impact, the data it generates allow businesses to make more informed decisions from optimising production volumes to reducing waste and improving transport efficiency.
This shift mirrors broader trends across sustainability and compliance. Businesses that can access and act on accurate data will be better placed to control costs, manage risks and reduce environmental impact.
What Are Digital Product Passports and How Will They Affect Procurement Teams?
Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are set to introduce a new level of transparency across the fashion and retail sector.
By linking physical products to digital records, DPPs will require businesses to capture and share information on material composition, sourcing, certifications and environmental impact across the product lifecycle.
For procurement and operations teams, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity. Data gaps, unclear specifications and disconnected systems will become increasingly visible. At the same time businesses that prepare early can use DPPs to strengthen traceability, improve customer engagement and unlock additional value from the same infrastructure.
Labels, particularly those incorporating QR codes or embedded technologies, will play a central role in connecting physical products to these digital systems.
Why Is Collaboration Essential for Sustainable Fashion Supply Chains?
No single organisation can address the scale of the sustainability challenge in isolation. Industry groups, alliances and cross-sector partnerships are increasingly important in sharing knowledge, developing standards and accelerating innovation. Collaboration across the value chain, from suppliers to recyclers will be critical in building the infrastructure required for circularity. For businesses, participation in these networks is moving from “nice to have” to a practical necessity.
What Should Procurement Teams Prioritise in a Sustainable Fashion Strategy?
The direction of travel is clear. Sustainability in fashion and retail is becoming more data-driven, more regulated and more integrated across the business.
Bethan advises organisations should focus on:
- Embedding sustainability across procurement, operations and product teams
- Using data to inform decisions and improve supply chain efficiency
- Preparing for Digital Product Passports and increasing data transparency
- Designing products and packaging with full lifecycle outcomes in mind
- Avoiding short-term thinking and material bias in decision-making
- Collaborating across industry networks to accelerate progress
Businesses that take a structured cross-functional approach will be better positioned to manage cost, reduce risk and respond to increasing expectations from regulators, customers and stakeholders.
Read the full interview with Bethan in Loopedin here, where she shares deeper insight on RFID, Digital Product Passports, EPR for textiles and the practical realities of driving change across global supply chains.
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How Duo can help
If you’re reviewing your packaging, labelling or sustainability strategy, having the right partner is essential. Duo supports brands with practical, data-led solutions that align performance, compliance and environmental impact. Contact the Duo Team:
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