Stella McCartney Converts to TIPA Sustainable Packaging Solutions and Highlights the Issue of Single-Use Industrial Plastic
Continuing in the brand’s Ongoing Commitment to Sustainability and Eco Innovation.
September 28th 2017.
Staying true to Stella McCartney’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, the brand turns to the Israeli-based start-up developer and manufacturer, TIPA for their breakthrough bio-based, fully compostable flexible sustainable packaging solutions. The brand has committed to convert all industrial cast film packaging to TIPA compostable packaging which is designed to break down into compost, a step towards a solution for the massive problem of plastic waste. In celebration of this groundbreaking solution, the envelopes for the guest invitations to the Stella McCartney upcoming Summer 2018 fashion show on October 2nd in Paris have been made by TIPA using the same process as the compostable cast film.
Plastics used for packaging, both food and non-food, account for a staggering two-thirds of the world’s plastic waste. And it takes over hundreds of years for conventional plastic to breakdown. Out of the nearly 300 million tons of plastic produced every year, half is for single use. Therefore sustainability solutions and eco-packaging remains a critical topic for brands as it looks to eliminate and reduce plastic waste in all forms within the value chain, as well as meeting industry guidelines for biodegradability and self-regulation commitments.
As a vegetarian brand that never uses leather, fur, skins or feather in any products for both ethical and environmental reasons, Stella McCartney has made a firm commitment to being a responsible and modern company. By working with TIPA, Stella McCartney continues to turn this pledge of sustainability into solutions. TIPA offers the same properties as conventional plastic packaging but with an end-of-life solution that enables the packaging to safely biodegrade in compost, in the same way as organic waste does, like the peel of an orange. The unique technology TIPA uses is based on fully compostable polymers. The films are manufactured with particular formulas developed by TIPA and protected by several IPs. The fully compostable films break down to small pieces that are then eaten by bacterias that allow for natural recycling – this is what turns the package into fertilized compost.
TIPA’s compostable solutions are just as transparent, durable, and impermeable as ordinary plastic packaging. However, unlike other commonly used materials on the market, TIPA packaging can be disposed of along with food waste – returning to nature with no harmful impact on the environment.
Stella McCartney stands by TIPA’s vision that flexible packages will become a natural part of our organic waste, and so nature won’t even notice we were here.
About Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney is a luxury lifestyle brand that was launched under the designer’s name in a 50/50 partnership with Kering in 2001. Stella’s approach to design emphasizes sharp tailoring, natural confidence, and sexy femininity. A lifelong vegetarian, Stella McCartney does not use any leather or fur in her designs. The brand is committed to ethical values and believes the company is responsible for the resources it uses and the impact it has on the environment. It is therefore constantly exploring innovative ways to become more sustainable, from design to store practices and product manufacturing. Stella McCartney offers women’s ready-to-wear, menswear, accessories, lingerie, swimwear, kids, fragrance, and Adidas by Stella McCartney collections through 51 free-standing stores including London, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, Milan, and Shanghai. Her collections are distributed in 77 countries through 863 doors including specialty shops, and department stores, as well as shipping to 100 countries online.