We all know it’s wrong to drink our milkshakes through a straw. Likewise, we are very aware that the entire enormous coffee market is responding to the challenge of re-usable coffee cups. The fashion industry however has it’s own demon product... the humble hanger.
This week has seen the launch of a new ‘sustainable’ hanger, made from 80 % marine plastic and 20% recycled plastic, the new hanger is truly ‘fully sustainable’. Designer Roland Mouret, who is well known for dressing Meghan Markle and numerous superstars, confirmed that not only is the new hanger stronger than other hangers, it is also 100% recyclable. If it does break, as they do, it is completely recyclable.
Some of the statistics about hangers are mind blowing, there are 1.5 Billion hangers used in the fashion industry and 100 Million are thrown away every year. None of which are currently recycled, as they are made from polystyrene. They simply end up in landfill.
Mouret says that the ‘humble’ hanger links everyone in the fashion industry; from the designer to customer and everyone in between. Transporting garments often uses additional hangers, that are single use and always disposed of.
I think that sustainability in our industry is not just about the clothes and the fabric with a bit of production and transportation thrown in; every aspect is important and this simple and yet so obvious development could be a game changer. If sustainable hangers that are 100% recyclable can be made, there is simply no excuse to use bad plastics from now on. Fast fashion is responsible for a lot of fashion's environmental problems, but according to Mouret it is “falling apart” as we all become more environmentally conscious and aware. The fact that a famous designer is leading the way and thinking about this element/product shows how seriously the fashion industry is taking the bad press that it gets for environmental issues.
Using waste marine plastic in this way has to beg the question, if it works on hangers and is stronger and completely recyclable, what impact could this have on other industries? There are an awful amount of toys made of plastic for example. Equally, the simple hanger is a product used for transportation of garments, what about the plastics used for the transportation of fruit, food and just about everything else. Can all plastic products be manufactured from Marine plastic? If so, why aren't we doing it right now?
Mouret used the BBC to promote his revolutionary new hanger, check out the link to story.
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