Can mannequins be eco-friendly?

With the drastic weather and rising temperatures, the environment and trying to be as eco-friendly as possible is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. And as the fashion industry produces 10% of global carbon emissions and almost 20% of waste water worldwide, fashion and the associated industries should be doing all they can to offset the damage that has already been done. And while the green fashion trend has brought with it a rise in charity shops, vintage clothing events and second-hand stores such as Vinted, can the way that shops display their clothes be better for the environment? 

In this article, we are going to take a dive into the possibility of eco-friendly mannequins, and discover whether or not they are possible, how they are made and what eco-friendly alternatives there are to buying mannequins.

Can mannequins be made eco-friendly?

Unfortunately, traditional mannequin manufacturing methods, such as producing them from fibreglass and plastic, can have a negative impact on the environment. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are various sustainable mannequin manufacturing methods that are being adopted by companies across the world. 

Innovative, environmentally-friendly and biodegradable materials such as sugarcane-derived substances and natural, organically made paints are becoming more popular among manufacturers. 

How are eco-friendly mannequins made?

There are a number of different techniques that can be adopted by companies to make eco-friendly mannequins. The choice of materials, manufacturing process and recyclability credentials all contribute to the process of manufacturing a mannequin or bust form that is more sustainable and better for the environment. Here at Proportion London, we offer two different sustainable options.

Ecoform

We have recently launched our Ecoform mannequin. This first-of-it’s-kind mannequin is manufactured using a combination of innovative materials, including Bio-Resin and water-based paint to drastically reduce its environmental impact, and actually has a carbon footprint that is 49% lower than traditional fibreglass mannequins!

The combination of Fibrimat and Bio-Resin used in our Ecoform mannequins contribute to a 13% lower carbon footprint compared to fibreglass. These materials are responsibly sourced and processed with sustainability in mind. With the addition of water-based paint over its less sustainable alternatives, the mannequin also boasts lower toxicity to marine environments and reduced ozone depletion effects, ensuring a safer option for the environment.

On top of this, we have ensured that the Ecoform mannequin packaging is sustainable too! The use of fewer, locally sourced components including double-wall cartons, kraft paper and shredded corrugate, has led to a 54% lower carbon footprint than the packaging of fibreglass mannequins, significantly reducing the environmental impact.

Papier-mache

We also offer papier-mache mannequins. Our papier-mache mannequins are made out of recycled cardboard and water, and are a very eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic or fibreglass mannequins. 

By repurposing cardboard and using recycled water, we are able to reduce waste. The stability of our papier mache forms is enhanced with a layer of plaster, and is cured in a four-day hardening process in our bakehouse. This process results in a finished product that is both robust and long-lasting.

What are the advantages of eco-friendly mannequins?

There are a number of advantages of eco-friendly and sustainable mannequins. Of course, they allow for a smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional plastic or fibreglass mannequins, and when made out of natural or recycled materials, these mannequins can be recycled again after use. 

However, as well as the obvious environmental benefits, there are numerous other advantages of using these kinds of mannequins. For example, paper mannequins are, on average, 20% lighter than traditional mannequins. Their light weight means that they are much easier to transport, move around a shop or museum and manoeuvre into your desired position. 

As well as this, eco-friendly mannequins are just as aesthetically pleasing as their fibreglass companions, and still have the ability to present clothes in a high quality way.

Lastly, because most of these mannequins are recyclable, they are very easy to dispose of. Mannequins made out of papier-mache can simply be dismantled and thrown into the paper recycling, rather than having to take them to the tip or throw away with general rubbish, and our Ecoform mannequin is able to be reused, remanufactured, or recycled into other things, aligning with a circular economy model and reducing overall environmental impact.

What are the disadvantages of eco-friendly mannequins?

The main disadvantage of sustainable mannequins is the time that it takes to make them – especially if you are purchasing a bespoke, custom-made papier mache or eco form mannequin. If you are in a time crunch, sometimes it might be more convenient to purchase the traditional alternatives, as many of these are already in circulation and you won’t need to wait for the manufacturing process to be completed before you receive your order.

Sustainable alternatives to buying mannequins

If you don’t want to purchase an eco-friendly mannequin for whatever reason, there are alternatives. Hiring, for example, could be seen as better for the environment, as the mannequins get reused multiple times by different customers before they are disposed of. Hiring mannequins rather than purchasing them means that the demand for the raw materials and energy needed to manufacture new ones are minimised. As well as this, renting mannequins helps to reduce the overall waste generated, as there is less need for disposal.

Another alternative to buying new mannequins is to get your existing ones refurbished. Unless they have been destroyed beyond repair, most pre-owned mannequins can be renovated to fix damaged parts or stands, replace missing or broken parts and touch up any chipped or scuffed paint. This is a much more sustainable way of ensuring your store or museum displays look as good as new, whilst also prolonging your mannequins ending up in landfill! 

And if you don’t want physical mannequins in your store  or showcase, another replacement is the digital mannequin. Digital mannequins are full-sized screens that display images of real-life models wearing the clothes – rather than 3D replicas of the human form. One step further is Outform’s addition of the interactive element. This scannable QR code feature means that customers are able to take full control over what content is displayed through the use of their mobile phone. They can choose what products are shown, from what angle, and can even change the model that the clothes are shown on to better reflect their body shape.

How Proportion London can help

Proportion London have been at the forefront of green fashion, designing and manufacturing premium, eco-friendly mannequins since we started out in 1867. 

If you are interested in our Ecoform mannequin or our collection of eco-friendly papier-mache mannequins, or you want to browse our traditional alternatives, you can explore our diverse range of mannequins available. We have collections available for both purchase and hire. Contact us today to discuss your needs.