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The recent restrictions on our movements have led to the largest ever decline in CO2 emissions. But World Environment Day (June 5) recalls that much remains to be done to minimize or even reverse the effects of climate change on our planet, our societies, the ecosystem and thousands of other species.

With the restoration of normalcy and the reopening of non-essential businesses in the UK on June 15th, "Sustainable strategies should be at the heart of corporate coronavirus recovery plans," said Robert Lockyer, CEO of the luxury packaging provider, delta Global.

The company's founder and CEO provides bespoke, waste-free solutions to some of the biggest names in fashion and beauty, and urges brands to continue to focus on the goals set in the G7 Fashion Package last year: contain the Climate change, biodiversity restoration and ocean protection.

In this piece, Robert explains how inhaling a second and even third life in clothing, products, and packaging is a key step in a circular economy:

While quick profits and marketing tricks could be tempting to get people back into stores, brands need to try not to undo the pre-pandemic effort and the unintended effects of the ban. But it is both brands and consumers who are responsible for ensuring that economic recovery measures also protect the planet.

We saw a tremendous change in people's spending habits as our pandemic attention shifted from the latest fashion trends to the real satisfaction we get from the hobbies and the environment that we find around us. If we can get out of this time, money will be a problem for many, but after consumers have lived a life without constant spending, they will have different priorities and attitudes.

Here it is important to give goods a second life. Regardless of whether you buy used clothing or reuse packaging, the end of a product's life cycle becomes the beginning of another. And brands that recognize, educate and promote this will be successful.

Even before the pandemic, it was predicted that the used market would be 1.5 times larger than fast fashion by 2028, and used items are expected to make up 13 percent of people's closets. With the corona virus putting pressure on people's finances, this trend appears to be consolidating.

The problems associated with fast fashion are no secret and consumers are beginning to understand the impact of keeping up with evolving trends and the latest Instagram must-haves. Fast fashion is easily disposable and offers little or no opportunity to reuse or resell items. While affordability is an important incentive, high-end goods can be stored, recycled, and then resold much longer, which pays off part of their original financial outlay.

This shift is exacerbated by the increasing number of users of popular websites, such as Vestiaire Collectivethat encourage consumers to sell luxury items they no longer want to new owners who are willing to give them a different life. Sellers not only get a refund, but buyers can also enjoy luxury items on a budget. This is a welcome opportunity in the post-pandemic economic environment.

In addition to the sale of articles, conversion is another trend that should be promoted to combat the environmental impact of the fashion industry. It is predicted that the global textile industry will account for 25 percent of all carbon emissions by 2050, which shows how important this is.

Whether you're using old clothes or fabrics as an alternative to wrapping paper, designing a bespoke pillow case, or following government directions to make a face mask, any attempt to recycle or reuse the landfill will reduce the burden on the industry.

However, the ultimate goal of net zero carbon requires a combined effort from all parts of a supply chain, including packaging. Brands have recognized the need for recyclable packaging that is accredited by FCS. However, more needs to be done to have a real impact.

For those who still use polyethylene, it's a good place to start looking at what alternatives are available. Or maybe thoughts about how your packaging can be used without just ensuring the safety of items in transit and delivery. It is about giving packaging the opportunity to live a second life, regardless of the materials used.

At Delta Global, we offer anti-crush and magnetic removal systems in our solutions that not only make recycling more efficient, but also maximize packaging longevity to promote a second and even third life. The durable and aesthetically pleasing packaging designs can be integrated into customers' homes, included in second-hand sales to add value, or reused in other ways.

I admire companies like Lush and John Lewisthat reward customers for returning packaging. By promoting a return culture, brands not only promote loyalty, they also minimize environmental impact and can even reduce packaging costs. It is a win-win situation for everyone.

Nobody could have predicted the global pandemic, let alone the environmental impact. With CO2 emissions down and businesses resuming, the prospect of a sustainable future has never been better. Nevertheless, we must not lose our focus, so working together is certainly the best way forward.