CASE STUDY
Piloting Seaweed Packaging in Global Supply Chains
THE PROBLEM
Plastic sucks — plain and simple
We've all been there: you're opening an online order you're beyond excited about, only to be disappointed by the amount of plastic inside.
Each year, 180 billion plastic polybags are used by the fashion industry alone. Less than 3% of flexible plastic is recycled. The rest flows into landfills, waterways, wildlife, and our own bodies.
While many polybags can and should be eliminated, protective packaging is non-negotiable in our globalized world. Polybags keep products clean, dry, and damage-free as they travel thousands of miles through warehouses, cargo ships, and distribution centers to reach their final destination.
A SOLUTION
Meet Sway
Sway is a team of material scientists, designers, and ocean lovers on a mission to replace plastics of the past with compostable, seaweed-based options. Get to know us!
Founded in 2020 and operating from the San Francisco Bay Area, we've spent years developing a material that can match plastic's durability, flexibility, and lightness. After years of R&D, we've done it.
Enter Sway Polybags: designed to deliver the same protection that global supply chains demand, with a radically different impact story.
THE IMPACT
Sway vs. LDPE: What's the difference?
Traditional polybags are made from low density polyethylene (LDPE). Sway Polybags are made from responsibly sourced seaweed, plants, and home compostable polymers — and after use, they break down entirely in home and industrial compost.
Seaweed is a superstar ingredient. It's abundant, fast-growing, and requires very few inputs. As it grows, it absorbs excess nutrients, purifies water, and supports thriving marine biodiversity. Seaweed farming also builds employment in coastal communities most vulnerable to rising seas, overfishing, and changing climate conditions.
In this way, each Sway Polybag is tethered to positive impact beyond just eliminating pollution. Seaweed’s inclusion upholds benefits for climate, ocean health, and coastal communities.
After testing Sway packaging in the lab, with distribution partners, and behind-the-scenes with brands, it was time to pilot in real world supply chains.
Here's what happened.
Pilot Focus Areas
OPERATIONS
How did the Sway Polybag perform in factories and distribution centers?
SHIPPING
Did the bag protect product in transit, from warehouse to customer?
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
How did customers react to compostable seaweed packaging?
Meet the Brands
This crew of leading fashion and outdoor brands is validating how an entirely new category of packaging can meet the demands of global supply chains while delivering on performance, efficiency, and circularity.
Banana plants, flax, organic cotton, merino wool, natural dyes, ethically sourced leather, cactus, natural rubber, corozo, alpaca wool, coconut. Alex Crane uses these ingredients throughout their clothing line, committing to natural products that are entirely plastic-free — and now, they're venturing into seaweed.
Inspired by all-day surf sessions, road trips, and bonfires on the beach, Faherty is a family-led brand built on the highest quality products, making things better, and always spreading good vibes. In their continuous pursuit to innovate, they have become an innovation partner for Sway's seaweed packaging.
The outdoor gear brand founded in partnership with World Surf Champion John John Florence designs products in harmony with the places we love. Florence offers modern utilitarian equipment for all sport conditions, with a laser focus on performance innovation. This is our second collaboration!
prAna creates durable lifestyle apparel for those who live authentically, love the outdoors, and engage in their communities. Based in Southern California, they prioritize nature-based materials, ethical supply chains, and responsible packaging to protect the environment and empower communities.
THE PACKAGE
Sway Polybags
• Made from regenerative, renewable, and compostable ingredients — including seaweed!
• Seaweed is a regenerative resource that grows abundantly without land, fresh water, or fertilizers
• Reduces waste and pollution through home and industrial compostability (certification pending)
• Custom branding designed by Sway and printed with Living Ink’s Algae Ink™
• Conversion, customization, and logistics handled by Sway's production partner EcoEnclose, who played a key role in enabling this activation
• Used to package a variety of apparel items, including shorts, shirts, and swim
Pilot Results
KEY RESULT #1
Logistics Made Easy
Sway packaging is offered through distributors like EcoEnclose, who manage conversion, design, and order fulfillment. Their expertise (and strongheld belief in novel materials) made logistics a breeze for every Sway Innovation Coalition brand.
Alex Crane plans to scale 100% of their polybag needs to Sway Polybag in 2026 through EcoEnclose.
"Packaging always presented a huge problem in Alex Crane’s journey to rid plastic from our supply chain. It's always felt like there were no real solutions or viable partners on the market. It wasn't until working with Sway and EcoEnclose that we saw a light at the end of the tunnel, and a real potential to change the packaging industry for good."
— Alex Crane team
KEY RESULT #2
Operations As Usual
Brands reported that Sway materials made minimal to no disruption to their fulfillment and packing operations. Some reported that Sway Polybags solve for paper’s low tensile strength and tearing issues, withstanding packing and shipping throughout various stages of fulfillment process.
“The bags arrived from the factory in good condition. No tears, puncture, damage, material degradation, or impact from moisture or weather."
— Faherty distribution center
"Sway Polybags were user-friendly for factories accustomed to working with conventional plastics. There were no issues stacking or packing, and product arrived to customers without issue."
— Florence team
KEY OUTCOME #3
Happy Customers
Brands noted how fondly Sway Polybags were received by end users. Marketing the package on PDP pages increased purchase conversions, and 100% of surveyed customers preferred the Sway Polybag over plastic.
"It felt AMAZING. The package felt incredibly durable, yet soft and protective. Very surprised about how nice the bag was."
— Alex Crane customer
"This is one of the coolest things we've ever done. Everyone I've shown, from friends to people in the industry, have been so stoked on it."
— John John Florence, Founder & 3x World Surf Champion
KEY OUTCOME #4
Industry Leadership
Seaweed packaging offers the opportunity for brand differentiation and values alignment.
“Where most brands think of packaging as trash, we are reframing packaging as an innovation initiative.”
— Florence team
“This partnership goes beyond packaging. It's about supporting an entire ecosystem of positive change.”
— Faherty team
“We're hopeful Sway will push the packaging industry forward with bold solutions and vision for a more regenerative future.”
— prAna team
“Sway packaging is a gamechanger. Their Polybags are meeting performance expectations, they enhance our customer’s experience, and have an amazing impact story.”
- LISA DIEGEL, DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY & IMPACT
Browse More Case Studies
Learn how brands are riding the seaweed packaging wave!
Ready to try seaweed packaging?
Sway Polybags are offered through our trusted distributors EcoEnclose and A New Earth Project. These packaging experts will guide you through every step of logistics, ensuring Sway materials work perfectly in your operations.
