Creating alternatives for single-use
plastic hangers in GOH logistics
plastic hangers in GOH logistics
designed at CSM under the supervision of Andrew Friend
Garment on Hanger (GOH) logistics is a dominant retail model in which garments travel from factories to stores already on hangers to reduce handling and labor. Yet most of these transport hangers are replaced before display. Due to contamination, low quality and inefficient reverse logistics, around 8 billion single-use plastic hangers are discarded every year, largely ending in landfill.
The hanger is a monomaterial product printed with water-based inks and includes an integrated size chart, eliminating plastic tags and improving recyclability. Its production layout generates zero off-cuts, maximizing material efficiency. Standard industry dimensions ensure seamless integration into existing GOH racks and logistics systems without infrastructural changes.
Rather than relying on idealized circular systems, the project accepts the reality that most logistics hangers
are not returned. By replacing plastic with a highly recyclable paper-based solution, GOHanger remains sustainable even when disposal is inevitable. The cardboard material is fully compatible with household recycling
streams and can be recycled multiple times.
are not returned. By replacing plastic with a highly recyclable paper-based solution, GOHanger remains sustainable even when disposal is inevitable. The cardboard material is fully compatible with household recycling
streams and can be recycled multiple times.
GOHanger demonstrates how low-tech, system-focused design can create large-scale impact in high-volume
industrial products, offering a practical path to reducing billions of single-use plastic hangers each year.
industrial products, offering a practical path to reducing billions of single-use plastic hangers each year.
