The brief was to explore and provide a more sustainable solution to the existing microfibre pouches that are currently used by Gemporia to hold their range of jewellery products. The challenge was to produce a more sustainable solution while keeping the original aesthetic of the iconic Gemporia purple pouch as well as fit within the clients budget and required quantity.
Microfibre, crafted from a blend of polyester and nylon, stands out as a durable and versatile material, making it ideal for reuse. However, its production process consumes nearly double the energy required for natural fibres, and its inorganic nature prevents biodegradation.
We needed to find a material that balanced efficient production and end-of-life considerations. This alternative must retain the advantages of being reusable and easily recyclable for secondary purposes.
The obvious competitor to microfibre is cotton. However, cotton has its own sustainability problems. These include the high use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, which pollute waterways, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and ruin the soil. Cotton also uses a huge amount of water: 20,000 litres to produce 1 kilogram of cotton, which is equivalent to just one t-shirt.
With these obvious choices not being as clean as we wanted, other material choices needed to be explored; including better cotton solutions.
The solution was a pantone-matched organic cotton pouch that’s both durable and eco-friendly. Organic cotton is a natural fabric grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilisers. It uses 62% less energy and 88% less water than conventional cotton, making it the more sustainable choice.
The organic cotton pouch is a balanced solution; considering the environmental aspects and practical requirements. It retains the iconic look of the original pouch without compromising on durability, cost and quantity.
