Sustainable mannequins: Materials, recycling, and the circular economy at a glance

03.06.2026

Growing awareness of environmental impact – among both consumers and retail companies – has led to a wave of sustainability claims, including in the mannequin industry. But what actually makes a mannequin sustainable? What factors should retailers consider? And what exactly is PLA?

This article puts current material trends into context, explains key terminology, and offers practical guidance for decision-making.

What makes mannequins sustainable?

Side view of several headless mannequins, some with a paper-like surface, in a lighted display case at a trade show booth

Anyone looking to source sustainable mannequins will quickly encounter a variety of approaches. Some manufacturers use recycled plastics to reduce demand for virgin raw materials and keep existing materials in circulation longer. Others focus on recyclable materials that can ideally be reused as feedstock for new products after their useful life. Increasingly, renewable materials and bio-based plastics are also being used to partially replace fossil-based resources. In addition, mannequins are being produced from upcycled materials, giving what would otherwise be considered waste a new purpose and making particularly efficient use of resources.

However, sustainability does not end with material selection. Durability and repairability are equally important, because long-lasting mannequins need to be replaced less frequently and consume fewer resources over time. A circular approach to use is also crucial: Are mannequins reused or refurbished for a new purpose?

Production conditions matter as well. Avoiding problematic chemicals, reducing energy and water consumption, and using renewable energy sources all help lower environmental impact.

Logistics can also contribute to a better sustainability profile. Lighter constructions and regional manufacturing can reduce transportation distances and emissions, while packaging made from recycled or renewable materials conserves resources.

Sustainability in visual merchandising is therefore a question of the entire value chain and the full life cycle of a mannequin.

Between recycled plastics and coffee grounds: New material approaches at Booma

What materials are used in mannequins? Quentin Varaldi, Manufacturing & Excellence Director, presents the sustainability strategy and products of the Booma Group.

Materials for sustainable mannequins: An overview of current industry developments

These concepts reflect a broader trend currently visible throughout the visual merchandising sector: Manufacturers are seeking ways to reduce the share of fossil-based raw materials, incorporate recycled content, and integrate waste and residual materials into new products. The following overview highlights some of the most important material strategies and market examples.

Material approach

Examples from the industry

Recyclable plastics

Many manufacturers, including Booma and Bink, use recyclable thermoplastics such as ABS, while Sempere uses recyclable plastic resins. These materials can be reprocessed, making them attractive for circular-economy concepts.

Bioplastics

PLA (polylactic acid) is among the best-known bio-based plastics used in the mannequin industry.

Natural fibers

Booma uses bamboo, wood, and grain fibers as additives. B Mannequins works with hemp, coconut, and bamboo fibers, while Bink uses textile materials such as raffia, linen, and ramie.

Agricultural byproducts

Some manufacturers incorporate byproducts from other industries into their materials. Examples include coffee grounds, straw, and sugarcane waste, all used by Booma.

Bio-based resins

In certain product lines, Bink replaces conventional polyester resins with the bio-based resin Susterra®. Sempere also uses certified bio-based resins combined with natural fibers in its “BioTek” models.

Paper-based materials

Pasqual Arnella produces mannequins from recycled paper pulp (“Paperpaste”). With its “PaperTek” line, Sempere uses FSC-certified paper fibers and rice powder.

Paints and coatings

In addition to core materials, surface treatments are important. B Mannequins reduces the use of certain chemicals through water-based paints and paper-based finishes.

A quick guide to the key terms

What are bioplastics?

The terms bioplastic and bioplastics generally combine two different characteristics. Bio-based plastics are made wholly or partly from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, or plant oils. Biodegradable plastics can be broken down by microorganisms under specific conditions.

Important: Not every bio-based plastic is biodegradable, and not every biodegradable plastic is made from renewable resources. Whether a bioplastic is actually more sustainable than a conventional plastic can only be determined by evaluating its entire life cycle.

What are ABS and PP?

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a durable, long-lasting plastic that can be easily molded and painted. Recycling: When properly separated into pure material streams, ABS can be melted down and reused as a raw material.

PP (Polypropylene) is a lightweight yet durable thermoplastic. Recycling: PP is one of the most commonly recycled plastics, although it is often downcycled, meaning used products are converted into new applications of lower quality.

What is downcycling?

Downcycling is a form of recycling in which a material is converted into a new product with lower quality or performance requirements. High-quality plastic packaging, for example, may become park benches, outdoor furniture, or transport containers. The material remains in circulation but loses some of its original value.

What is PLA?

PLA (polylactic acid) is one of the most widely known bioplastics and is produced from plant-based resources such as cornstarch. PLA is a thermoplastic that can be processed in ways similar to conventional plastics.

PLA is often described as biodegradable. However, rapid decomposition generally occurs only under the controlled conditions found in industrial composting facilities. In natural environments or in the ocean, the material breaks down much more slowly. While PLA can partially replace fossil-based raw materials, its production requires more land.

What does recycling mean?

Recycling refers to the recovery and reuse of materials so they can serve as feedstock for new products. It is important to distinguish between theoretical and actual recyclability. A material may be technically recyclable, but it will only be recycled if suitable collection, sorting, and processing infrastructure exists.

What exactly is upcycling?

Upcycling refers to transforming waste or residual materials into products of equal or greater value. Examples include mannequins containing coffee grounds, textile scraps, or other byproducts from industry and agriculture. This reduces the need for new raw materials.

On the sustainability scale: From theoretically recyclable to truly circular

The wide range of new materials demonstrates how actively the industry is pursuing more sustainable solutions. At the same time, it is worth taking a closer look at both the concepts and the practical realities. How sustainable a solution truly is depends on much more than material selection. Production conditions and recycling requirements, for example, are equally important.

A material being recyclable simply means it can theoretically be recovered and reused. Whether it is actually collected, sorted, and processed within a functioning recycling system depends on the available infrastructure.

In addition, many material concepts rely on composite materials. When plastics are combined with other plastics or with natural additives, separation and recycling at the end of life can become more difficult.

Bio-based plastics may reduce reliance on fossil resources, but the crops used to produce them require land, water, and other resources. In some cases, feedstock production may also compete with other agricultural uses.

The same applies to biodegradable plastics, which generally do not simply disappear in nature. In reality, efficient biological degradation usually depends on specific conditions, such as those found in industrial composting facilities.

Against this backdrop, one simple principle often applies: The most sustainable resource is frequently the one that does not need to be produced in the first place. Upcycling approaches are therefore especially compelling, as they transform waste or residual materials into higher-value products.

Checklist: What retailers should consider when selecting mannequins

A headless mannequin with a male torso and a paper-like surface stands in an illuminated display case.

Retailers navigating the wide range of mannequin options need reliable information and sound guidance. The following questions can help compare products and identify the right points to discuss with suppliers:

What materials are used? Are they recycled, recyclable, bio-based, or derived from renewable resources?
What percentage of recycled content is included? Is actual recycled material being used, or is recyclability simply being marketed?
Are certifications or documented proof available? Examples include certifications for recycled content (GRS), sustainable forestry (FSC), or environmental standards.
How transparent is the manufacturer? Are materials, sourcing, production processes, and sustainability goals explained clearly and verifiably?
Is sustainability a credible part of the company’s overall strategy? For example, does the company prioritize renewable energy, resource-efficient manufacturing, short supply chains, or sustainable packaging?
How durable are the mannequins? Can individual parts be replaced or repaired?
Are take-back or refurbishment programs available? Does the manufacturer support redistribution, refurbishment, or reuse?

Several simple mannequins made of materials with varying textures, some of which are recycled, are grouped in front of a brightly lit display area with plants in the background.

Sustainable mannequins: Moving toward a holistic solution

Materials, recycling, production, logistics – examining sustainable mannequins reveals just how complex the topic is. And once mannequins have fulfilled their purpose in a storefront display, their life cycle is not over. The more mannequins are passed on, refurbished, and reintroduced into new usage cycles through take-back programs, the stronger their sustainability performance becomes.

For retailers, this means evaluating sustainable visual merchandising solutions is not straightforward. Genuine circularity involves many stages. At the same time, awareness of sustainability and demand for credible solutions continue to grow – not only among retail businesses but increasingly among environmentally conscious consumers who are paying closer attention when they shop.

The good news is that the industry is actively developing new solutions. From recycled and natural materials to innovative production methods and circular programs, the number of available approaches continues to expand. Sustainable mannequins have become a field of innovation that is likely to keep evolving rapidly.

Portrait of Julia Pott, member of the EuroShop editorial team, with shoulder-length brown hair, hoodie and open smile; copyright: beta-web GmbH

The portrait was AI-generated.

Author: Julia Pott | EuroShop.mag

Julia Pott has been working as an editor in the retail sector for eight years – initially at the retail magazine iXtenso, at times also as editor-in-chief. Today, she is responsible for the concept, editorial plan, content and design of the online magazine EuroShop.mag on behalf of the EuroShop and EuroCIS trade fairs. Her contributions combine editorial depth with a feel for trends and topics that drive the retail sector.

More about shopfitting & store design:

A bustling market street in Mumbai with heavy foot traffic, colorful stalls under parasols, and a historic domed building in the background.

Shop Fitting, Store Design & Visual Merchandising