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Looking for a way to reduce the environmental impact of your display, without compromising on style? Eco-friendly mannequins have an important role to play.
Over 1 million mannequins that don’t bio-degrade end up in landfill each year
What to consider when searching for eco-friendly mannequins
Materials:
There are many options on the market now for mannequins made for biological materials, such as rice powder, sugar cane, rafia paper, bamboo fibres, or bio-resin.
For the parts of the mannequin that can’t be constructed from biological materials, it’s important to consider whether they are made from recycled materials, which can themselves be recycled in turn.
Finally, are these materials sourced locally to the manufacturer? This reduces the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process.
Energy efficient production
The production method is an important factor, it isn’t good enough to just have mannequins made from sustainable materials, the environmental impact of how the mannequins are produced is essential for ensuring your mannequin is eco-friendly right from the beginning of its’ life-cycle.
This is where energy efficient tools, which are either faster, use less energy or produce less waste, or manual labour being used where possible, becomes something to consider when looking into eco-friendly mannequins.
For example, the supplier of Morplan’s eco-friendly mannequins, uses 3D printing for sample production, so that models can be made and amended in miniature before a full-sized mould is created. This has the added benefit of reducing shipping costs and emissions, because the smaller samples can be sent much easier.
The impact of production on the environment
Are steps being taken to reduce the affect on the local environment?
Such as:
- Air filtering to prevent dust escaping the factory
- Water filtering before the water is returned to the local water table
- Steps to prevent over-spray in the painting process.
- Are they a member of Sedex? This is an online database, which displays information on a suppliers’ ethical and sustainable practices, representing a commitment to sustainability and transparency on their production process.
Morplan’s eco-friendly mannequin range
“Being good for the environment and looking good, just got easy, our eco mannequins do both!”
- Jeff Coulthard, Product Manager
We are passionate about our eco-friendly options, with a full eco-friendly products range that spans from void fill, to hangers and all the way to entire furniture ranges, such as our Blue City range, which is made from reclaimed materials.
Check out our blog ‘Stylish sustainability: recyclable hangers made from recycled materials’ to learn more about our sustainable hanger range.
In 2023 Morplan won an award at the Creative Retail Awards, and we were also a finalist in the VM and Display Awards for our eco-friendly products.
Our range of eco-friendly mannequins are made using bio-resin, rice powder and raffia paper. Our range consists of Male, Female and Childrens models and are available in either white or a natural, gloss or matt finish.
Our mannequins are not only 100% biodegradable but the glass stand and metal spigot are made using recyclable materials (100% and 60%). Not only this, but the packaging we deliver our mannequins in are also 100% recyclable - that's the box, void fill and water-based inks used for printing.
How it’s Made:
Corn crops that are produced in large quantities for human, animal and industrial uses (such as biomass feedstock used in a biomass power plant), is put under a fermentation process to produce glucose. The glucose is processed using metabolic engineering to extract 99% of the available bio resin. This bio resin is called “1,3 Propanediol (PDO)” and is an alternative to a wide range of glycols. Glycols are used in ordinary resin, which is made through the industrial refinement of oil - a non-renewable resource.
The raffia paper is used as an alternative to fibreglass, as it provides strength to the final piece but is also biodegradable. The raffia is mixed with rice powder, which is then twisted and worked into a lattice. The bio resin “1,3 Propanediol (PDO)” is then applied, which causes the lattice to expand and flatten out leaving a smooth finish with no holes. Extra raffia is placed around all the joints (and areas that may become weak) for extra stability. Instead of using standard acrylic or oil-based paint, the mannequins are covered with a matt water-based paint (certification can be provided).
The end of their life-cycle:
A normal mannequin can become toxic to the environment and take centuries to break down. However, the bio resin, raffia paper and rice power in these eco mannequins will start to break down within the first 12 months of being landfilled. This is caused by the lack of oxygen, the humidity and pressure (thanks to the soil). The metal fittings can be broken away from the main body and fully recycled, alongside the recyclable glass stand and all packaging (boxes, void filler, packing paper and foam).
Shop our range below, or visit our Eco-friendly and Zero waste inspiration page for more ideas on sustainable practices in retail.
Alternatively, instead of buying a mannequin for a temporary window display or event that you later dispose of, consider using our hire service, where you can hire mannequins for short term events.
