THE PROJECT
With a launch of their most advanced shoe line yet — the Frontline Pro 3 — ALES GREY sought packaging that could match the sustainability of their product while delivering on performance.
Building on early packaging innovations together, ALES GREY chose Sway's newest TPSea Flex™ format: a replacement for the traditional polybag.
This material is made with seaweed, plants, and certified home compostable polymers!
Replace conventional plastic with compostable packaging made with regenerative resources
Extend circular design principles from product to packaging
Source and manufacture entirely within the United States to shorten supply chains, reduce emissions, and avoid tariffs
- "SNEAKER STEVE" PATIÑO, CEO & FOUNDER
THE SOLUTION
✅ Made with seaweed as a key ingredient: this regenerative marine crop grows abundantly without land, fresh water, or fertilizers
✅ Circular end-of-life, designed to compost in home and industrial settings (certification pending)
✅ Customized with Algae Ink for a clean, brand-aligned aesthetic
✅ Produced by EcoEnclose for efficient integration at scale
✅ Formulated and manufactured domestically, enabling full traceability and minimal emissions
✅ Improved performance and lower price, compared to Sway Polybags made with Firstwave™ film in 2023. Innovation is an ongoing journey!
Remove all conventional plastic from product packaging
Ensure durability and moisture protection for footwear during transit
Maintain a clean, high-end unboxing experience to align with ALES GREY’s brand
• Sway Polybags used to package 100% of Frontline Pro 3 shoes
• Conversion, customization, and logistics handled by Sway production partner EcoEnclose, who played a key role in enabling this activation
• Seamless integration of packaging with domestic supply chain partners
• Frontline Pro 3 shoes debuted online and in-store at REI, the nation’s leading outdoor retailer store
• Accompanying digital campaign maximized marketing impact by including influencers, frontline worker gifting, and Earth Month messaging
✅ OPERATIONAL FEASIBILITY
• Successfully integrates with existing domestic manufacturing and fulfillment systems
• No overseas shipping or customs delays due to domestic production of packaging
• Enables fast iteration, high quality control, and consistent supply
✅ SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT
• Eliminates 100% of conventional plastic polybags for Frontline Pro 3
• Reduces landfill waste through home and industrially compostability
• Seaweed-based material aligns with Ales Grey's algae-based products and circular production principles
✅ CUSTOMER & BRAND PERCEPTION
• Launch via major retailer REI maximizes visibility and impact of package
• Material story provides a cohesive narrative across product, manufacturing, and packaging
• Enhances customer experience of purchasing a sustainable product with visually engaging, minimalist, plastic-free packaging
• Strengthens ALES GREY’s position as a sustainability leader in American-made footwear
✅ Sway Polybags delivered performance and brand alignment in a domestic, circular supply chain
✅ First successful plastic-free packaging integration for ALES GREY
✅ Overwhelmingly positive customer response
✅ Next Steps: Continue exploring new applications for Sway packaging in future ALES GREY product lines to expand partnership!
- "SNEAKER STEVE" PATIÑO, CEO & FOUNDER
ALES GREY’s second Sway packaging activation demonstrates how long-term partnership drives innovation. This blueprint for regenerative, American-made manufacturing — supported by EcoEnclose as Sway's production partner — sets a new standard for circularity and domestic innovation.
Together, we're proving that products and packaging can be designed from nature and designed to return to nature.