SHEIN, a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, is continuing its efforts to transition toward packaging that uses more recycled plastics， with more than half of the express delivery bags used for SHEIN packages made with at least 50% GRS-certified recycled polyethylene (PE) plastic in 2024. This effort is aligned with SHEIN’s commitment to minimise the use of virgin plastic and paper in its packaging.
Promoting greater adoption of GRS-certified recycled PE plastic packaging
SHEIN started procuring delivery bags comprising at least 50% of Global Recycled Standard (GRS)[1] certified recycled polyethylene (PE) plastic in 2022 and has gradually been increasing its use of this type of plastic-based delivery bag for express deliveries to several regions including Europe, the U.S, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
In addition, SHEIN has been making efforts to gradually increase the use of 100% GRS-certified recycled polyethylene (PE) plastic in its garment polybags. Currently, 100% GRS-certified recycled PE plastic garment polybags are used for products under SHEIN’s evoluSHEIN by Design product initiative, SHEIN X collections, and several other SHEIN sub-brands such as MOTF, Luvette, JNSQ, Cozy Pixie, Silquee and Poéselle
In 2024, these initiatives have helped the company avoid an estimated 5,695 metric tons of virgin plastic, which is equivalent to saving 16,373 metric tons of CO₂e. SHEIN has set a goal of ensuring all packaging for its branded products contains 50% preferred materials[2] by 2030.
Reducing plastic usage with “slimmer” and “thinner” polybags
Aside from switching to recycled plastic, SHEIN has also actively been looking for ways to reduce the overall plastic used in each piece of packaging, by adjusting the package dimensions and reducing the thickness of the plastic used in the production of each packaging bag.
Following a 1.34-gram reduction in the weight of its garment polybags in 2023, SHEIN implemented a further 0.99-gram weight decrease per bag last year as part of its ongoing packaging optimisation. A similar initiative has been carried out for SHEIN’s delivery bags, with the weight of each bag reduced by 4.37 grams per bag in 2024. Both these initiatives are estimated to have avoided 1,797 metric tons of virgin plastic, and 6,405 metric tons of CO₂e.
Packaging labels aligned with local regulations
SHEIN is also committed to ensuring that its packaging is appropriately labelled to guide customers on how to dispose of it based on the regulatory requirements of each country it operates in. For example, each packaging bags is labelled with its plastic type used to support waste sorting efforts. SHEIN also incorporates additional recycling symbols in line with local regulations, including the French Triman logo, the Spanish Green Dot, and the Italian environmental label.
[1] The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international full product standard managed by Textile Exchange to verify and track recycled raw materials through the supply chain.
[2] Preferred materials used for packaging are recycled polyethylene and paper packaging not sourced from Ancient and Endangered Forests (for more information on Ancient and Endangered Forests, please refer to Canopy’s Forest Mapper).
