Notice every time you do your dry cleaning, each piece of your clothing is returned atop a wire hanger?. Convenient, Yes – Eco-friendly, No. About 3.5 billion hangers escape from US closets each year, ending up in already overflowing landfills. Stretched out end to end, that’s roughly enough wire to travel to the Moon and back – twice. Startling, considering they take over 100 years to decompose.
We had the chance to chat with Josh Cohen (pictured, left), hailing from Melbourne, Australia – whom with his buddies Christian Ferrante and Ash Singam (pictured, right) have created a rather clever alternative. Green Hanger made from 100% recycled paper completely replaces the antiquated (and eco-ghastly) wire hanger.
In short, eco-conscious companies (and consumers) who care about what their threads are hanging on, can now make the choice to go green. A brilliant concept, in a changing world – we just had to talk to to these guys.
Tell us about Green Hanger, how did it start?
Green Hangers started by helping a few mates move and having a discussion on what to do with all the remaining wire hangers. After some research and development, we found an alternative which wasn’t eco friendly but made our version completely eco friendly by eliminating print, glue or any bonding agents as well as being environmentally led not advertising led.
Coat hangers? It’s a rather obscure product to re-invent – is there any particular affinity with the product? (Anyone in the dry cleaning business maybe?)
Traditionally coat hangers have just been a commodity and expense, now with Green Hanger we have the power to promote a cause and create awareness around a big issue. In OZ 77 million hangers end up in landfill – the Green Hanger seeks to reduce this. Also the dry cleaning industry is inherently a “dirty” industry with bad chemicals and practices. The Green Hanger goes towards promoting a greener industry and moving one step forward to becoming a better overall industry.
How important do you think “Green Marketing” is today?
I think its very important as long as the people and practices behind the organizations are true to their beliefs and don’t use the “environment” as a great way to make money while not practicing what they preach. Since everything has to be certified, accredited and assessed from all aspects of production, distribution and manufacture, it is important that companies look at the whole picture not just one component to hang their whole hat on.
What is a Green Hanger made of?
Green Hangers are made from 100% recycled and recyclable cardboard from post consumer waste.
Any plans on selling advertising on the facade?
We are against any forms of printing on our hangers as the inks and printing process ads another level of management and environmental concerns to manage. The other hanger companies promote that they have a recycled hanger but forget that most of them glue another sheet of paper to the front then print with ink all over the front. Plus who wants an add for a new Disney flick or type of new coffee by Nescafe in your wardrobe.
What type of customer buys a Green Hanger?
A customer that sees the potential in making a difference and willing to try something new and different in the market. It is hard to think that there is a cardboard alternative to the wire hanger, but it is stronger and hold more lateral force than a wire one.
How have you let your audience know about the benefits of Green Hanger thus far?
Through our website, word of mouth and face to face discussions at festivals and events.
We see you’re an Australian based company, any plans on marketing Greenhanger offshore?
Through our intensive e-marketing campaign and high google rankings for keywords, we have been able to spread our message wide and far fielding enquires from Canada, US, UK, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and France. People are very interested in the product and we are in negotiations in setting up distribution arms in the UK and US.
What is the life expectancy of a Green hanger?
We have thouroughly product tested the Green Hanger and in the home they last for along time, upto 6 -12 months, in dry cleaners they have a lower expectancy due to the high turnover.
We love the product, how do we get some for our own home?
To get some go online for the OZ home – we are shortly offering packs of 25 which will be perfect for the home.. Currently for OS clients you will soon see throughout US and UK so stay tuned.
About Green Hanger
The Green Hanger was born in response to the ever-increasing number of wire and plastic hangers ending up in landfill each year. They have produced a fashionable solution to an unfashionable problem and it’s available immediately. When you choose Green Hanger, you are using a product that is attractive, functional and most importantly environmentally sound. It’s the perfect solution for any rag-trade business that wants to operate with minimal impact on the environment.
The vision clear, and the vision strong. Green Hanger is more than just a product, it’s a vehicle with the power to make the fashion industry leaner and greener. It demonstrates a commitment to actively reducing impact on the environment, while helping to educate, promote and reinforce awareness surrounding some of the world’s greatest environmental challenges.
Green Hanger is actively leading the change, providing an alternative choice to existing outdated technology like wire and plastic. Visit Greenhanger.com.au to place an your order. We know what our threads will be hanging on.
