Frequently Asked Questions

NORMN Hangers is a company that makes clothing hangers from paper. Especially designed to replace plastic with readily available recycled paper, the hangers are recyclable and made from non-polluting materials. We’ve designed the hangers in a range of shapes and uses, making it possible to switch out any plastic hangers in the supply chain.

NORMN hangers are made from our very own NORMN Board, which we developed it ourselves. It’s a paper-based material, similar to cardboard or SolidBoard, and is 100% recyclable. It’s created with 100% recycled FSC paper or, if requested, from a blend of FSC/PEFC certified pulp. We use water-based glues and inks, so neither product or process involves any plastic. Our NORM range includes a metal hook, which is taken out by paper recyclers.

Our production is in The Netherlands, so we are close to the site for development and can make use of one of the best paper recycling rates in the world. The Netherlands is a frontrunner when it comes to recycling paper: 86% of paper produced in The Netherlands in 2020 was made from recycled paper. (Source: Paper Recycling Nederland). Additionally, it means we are near our suppliers and everyone is paid fairly.

Yes! That’s how we designed them. Our cardboard hangers can be recycled in any existing paper recycling scheme, even with the metal hook. This means that any paper bin, corporate cardboard pick-up or other paper recycling system works. With paper being one of the most widely recycled resources, our paper waste is picked up and reduced back to paper pulp. This pulp is then used to make new products. In the Netherlands, where we manufacture, this process is one of the most efficient. (Source: Paper Recycling Nederland).

Yes.

NORMN Hangers are easily and 100% recyclable – in any paper bin or pick-up. Anyone, anywhere can recycle them today using existing systems. No new systems are needed; we simply plug into the paper recycling already available all over the world. The hangers also provide a 90% reduction in CO2, space, and transportation.

Our plastic-free cardboard hangers are made from recycled and compressed paper fibres. Our board manufacturer Solidus Solutions, formerly Smurfit Kappa and a front-runner of sustainability in their industry, operates a European recycled paper mill system, which is Chain of Custody certified. The printing at production is done with non-toxic vegetable-based inks and water-based glues.

The hangers are durable and can be reused. Durability depends on usage.

Our hangers are also biodegradable, should that be relevant. We do prefer, however, for them to be reused or recycled instead. We believe that reusing resources is better than the linear approach of landfill.

Cradle2Cradle’s William McDonough explains that we need to create circular products and systems by design and intent. This is what we did: instead of using plastic, which has a linear approach, we designed paper-based hangers in order to create a circular system.

Our adult hangers can hold up to 8kg and have been GS1 equivalent tested. Depending on the intensity of use, hangers can last for years. The NORM hangers with a metal hook are even stronger, able to withstand the push and shove of the back-of-house distribution and transport systems.

Please send an email to info@normanhangers.com and we can share further information with you.

Our paper-based hangers have been tested by our customers for years. The newest generation of metal hook hangers were GS1 equivalent tested and travelled through steam tunnels: starting at the factory, through the distribution centre, to the shop floor. Practical experience therefore tells us the hangers perform well in distribution centres. An overview of the types of tests done can be found here.

This depends on the model and how many you want to order. For orders under 1000, the prices can be found in the shop. Retailers looking for a bulk order can get in touch with us on sales@normanhangers.com.
What if I want to buy in bulk?

That’s absolutely possible, just get in touch with us at sales@normanhangers.com and we can discuss the options.

This will depend on the size of the order and the location it needs to be sent to. We always aim to get you the best option available.

Orders start at 5000 when ordered in batched. This includes the possibility to customise the order with printing.

For smaller orders, it is possible to order the hanger which are in stock online.

We can make bespoke designs. These do, however, usually require a minimum of 10000 – 20000 units. This due to specialised tooling and set-up costs.

If the hangers are in stock, it takes around 2-3 weeks depending on delivery. Printing can add a further 2 weeks to the delivery time.

For production it usually takes around 2 months. 

The hangers can be recycled worldwide, in any existing paper recycling scheme. This means that any paper bin, corporate cardboard pick-up or other paper recycling system works. With paper being one of the most widely recycled resources, our paper waste is picked up and reduced back to paper pulp for making new products. In the Netherlands, where we manufacture, this process is one of the most efficient.

Due to their shape, plastic hangers are particularly tricky to recycle. The shape and colour of plastic hangers prevent proper sorting by gravitational belts and optical sensors. This means they require specialised, bespoke additional systems that companies pay extra for, making it difficult for smaller companies to access these systems. Additionally, of the plastic re-use schemes the best-in-class still fail to capture over 25% of hangers. Plastic recycling simply isn’t the right solution. According to the UNEP: “Only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled.”

Paper and cardboard recycling schemes, on the other hand, already exist all over the world accessible to everyone. In some cases, companies even get paid for their paper waste.

The hangers with metal hook also fit into existing paper recycling. The hooks get taken out by the paper recyclers, who are used to already taking out paper clips and staples. Metals are infinitely recyclable and are sold by the paper mills for reuse.

The hangers hold up in humidity. Our metal hook hangers were GS1 equivalent tested, which included humidity. Additionally, they were taken through steam tunnels by the brand Filippa K and they held up well. Though humidity is fine, we do not recommend contact with water or putting wet clothes on them.

From the very start, we have taken pride in balancing the aesthetics, functionality and circularity of the hangers. We chose paper for its recyclability and versatility. Experience has also taught us that customers want the full range of hangers. This is why we are in constant contact with our customers to ensure the hangers work well in their environment and that we are working towards offering a hanger for the full range. Our extensive Research & Developments  has led us to continually test and double-check our work. And we always make sure we make a beautiful hanger. It’s fashion, after all.

For our printing process we use vegetable-based inks. These are better for the environment during production and good to recycle. We do not use non-mineral, oil-based inks, such as soya and linseed oil, as these complicate recycling and are toxic, harmful and/or corrosive. Our inks are not classified as an irritant or as highly inflammable and do not contain heavy metals.

We use water-based glue so that they do not contaminate the recycling of the paper. If we would use epoxy (plastic) or oil-based glues these would contaminate the paper solution during recycling. We want optimal recycling and quality of output, so water-based is the best choice for us. It’s also why we don’t use foil, another element that would complicate the recycling process.

Yes, through our partners in a chain of custody. For the certification of the hangers, we refer you to our paper suppliers Solidus Solutions and Eska and production partner Argent, all up to date with all of their certificates and leaders in sustainability.

These certifications include FSC STD 40-004; Cert # SKH COC 000292FK and C017135 – group.

There is plenty of research to show that plastics damage the environment and that micro-plastics damage us and the other life on this planet. Recycled or ethically sourced paper does not.
Billions of plastic hangers are produced every year. Last year alone, the large plastic hanger producer Braiform produced at least 2 billion plastic hangers for the US market. Only a fraction of those get reused or recycled, though figures for this are not published.

Some companies are reusing their plastic hangers, but we feel this is not the real solution. The British brand M&S was championing this approach, but even in their best year they missed out on more than 25% of their hangers. This means that roughly 50 million M&S hangers get landfilled every year when they are doing their very best. Reuse is good, but it only adds a second linear process. We need circularity.
Transport hangers, called ‘GOH’ for Garments-On-Hangers, are mostly plastic hangers used to transport clothing from the factory to the shop floor. These are mostly single-use plastic. They are awkward in shape to handle and therefore expensive to recycle due to their shape and often too expensive to transport back, so they get landfilled or incinerated.

Plastic is not biodegradable and is problematic to recycle. Hanger shapes are specifically difficult, which means you need specialised processes for recycling. But plastic is a problematic material in itself. There is a wealth of research that shows why and how plastic recycling is problematic and that we are only at the very start of that approach. In Scientific American M. Wilkins summed up it with: “Recycling plastic is to saving the Earth what hammering a nail is to halting a falling skyscraper”. In other words, let’s use alternatives to plastic.

Paper recycling, on the other hand, has been in place for decades and does not require anything new or specialised.

Our hangers can be fully printed on both sides, offering excellent real-estate for branding or other forms of communication. Read more about the branding possibilities of the hangers here.

The hangers are entirely printable. A combined 10 000 metal hook hangers are as large as a tennis court. So that means they offer 546m2 of your own advertising space in the store. Plus, they are much more visible than a swing tag.

That’s absolutely possible, just get in touch with us at sales@normanhangers.com and we can discuss the options.

From the very start, we have taken pride in balancing the aesthetics, the functionality and the circularity of the hangers. We choose paper for its recyclability, a material in which offers many possibilities. We are in constant contact with our customers to ensure the hangers work well in their environment. Our extensive Research & Developments  has led us to continually test and double-check our work. And we always make sure we make a beautiful hanger. It’s fashion, after all.