For more than eight decades, R&R Fabricare, as a proud family business, has been a leading provider of dry-cleaning in Canberra and is one of the oldest and most respected names in the dry-cleaning industry in Australia. 

Now in its fourth-generation, CEO Mark Ryan, who is also the President of the Dry-Cleaning Institute of Australia (DIA), continues to be innovative and forward-thinking in the industry with not only providing premium service but with the products they use and that includes the garment wrapping. 

“Each generation has faced adversity and challenges in different shapes and forms including economic depression and World War II,” Mark says. 

“And today’s challenges are just as significant with a pandemic and economic energy crisis caused by a transition to renewable sources of energy. To survive through all these periods of time, R&R has had to embrace and find a way through. The environment and caring for it is a big topic in today’s world and our customers are very aware and well-read on the things they can do as individuals to help care for the planet. By partnering with Biogone, we can show our customers that we are as concerned for the planet as they are and that by using our services, we can both do our bit.” 

Garment wrapping is a fundamental part of the dry-cleaning business and is a significant financial investment. 

“In the past, R&R Fabricare used an expensive printed oxo-biodegradable poly bags, imported from China, which cost around $3,000 per order, which was required multiple times of the year.  And for doonas, we often used the regular plastic garbage bag rolls from the major supermarkets,” Mark said. 

Mark did his research and discovered Biogone, Australia’s leading supplier in landfill-biodegradable plastics and an associate member of the 300-member DIA, had available biodegradable dry-cleaning bags which, when disposed to landfill-biodegradation, is accelerated approximately 90 per cent faster than conventional plastic dry cleaning bags, producing an organic matter and no microplastics. 

Biogone’s dry cleaning bag range is extensive – in small, medium, large, extra-large and agency size bags. 

“We also use the oversized doona bags for all our household furnishings wrapping,” Mark adds. 

“If you think about it, if you consider your clothing as a resource then we as dry cleaners are among the oldest standing recyclers as we allow you to reuse your garments after our services.” 

Mark has three pieces of advice for companies who want to amplify their sustainable message and action plan. 

  1. Listen to your customers and watch what other businesses are doing such as coffee cups and fast-food containers. Adapt to what you see even if you do not agree at first.
  2. Make a point of joining forces with your suppliers and using each other’s marketing resources to get your message across.
  3. If you are already doing cool things to save waste or energy then tell people about and don’t be shy to try new things. Things change, get with it.

 “And finally, speak out. You might not be able to make the biggest impact but your voice is strong and you never know who you might influence in the quest to get to a circular economy.”