Reusable Bags News

Isabella, owner of Solay Wellness has just joined our eco community and I love her line of salt crystal lamps, I had no idea the therapeutic values these lamps have and they are beautifully crafted.

Isabella’s motivation came from a deep concern for the health and well being of the environment and all that inhabit it: “My intention is to become a brand that is known for its true therapeutic values, products with heart and soul that provide real benefit to the customer.“ The best consumption for the planet is to limit our buying, really focus on what we just need, reduce and recycle as much as possible. That is why they focus on providing products that are needed for better health and well-being and package them in earth friendly packaging that is recyclable and reusable.  Their products are not mass marketed and are made by hand in small batches by small companies in the USA and around the world.  They also donate a percentage of profits to non profit organizations and have set up a non profit center on their website that will allow customers to help make the world a better place for all.

Their Mission is simple: to be the best, trusted and unique source for exceptional quality health and wellness products and useful information on living a healthy, natural and earth friendly lifestyle. Solay Wellness Inc. offers consumers dozens of unique natural salt health and wellness products for the natural home, personal care, oral care, respiratory care, healthy eating, and more products that are environmentally and socially responsible.
“The creation process starts with me, as I need a product, I start to think about its development and since I’m not an excessive consumer, I really think about the impact and consider, do I really need this? If I do, then instead of purchasing something that may or may not be good, I develop it, because then I know it will be great.”  They also work only with other manufacturers that have the same intentions, crafting well made, exceptional quality products with environmental integrity.

Check out her amazing line of salt wellness products and you will be amazed like I was!

I’d like to welcome Rebekah at Little Green Beings to our online eco community. She has cute Go Green T-shirts for kids to help raise their awareness of the connection we have with our Planet. Here’s Rebekah’s sediments and belief…

Our Mama Earth is our only home and it’s up to all of us human beings to respect and take care of her. “Little Green Beings” is all about inspiring and teaching the children of this Earth to be the very best beings they can be- to live in harmony and peace with their fellow humans, animals, bugs, plants, and the natural environment. In turn, we will all inspire ourselves. Our Earth needs our help and love now more than ever. Please take time to look at our site with your children and please check out our products. They will make you smile and remind you to be GREEN…

Feel free to contact her with any of your green ideas and we can grow a strong community to help this planet and it’s animals!

Well, I know I can’t imagine starting my day without my fresh cup of Joe, and after looking through Martin’s wide variety of organic coffees I may have to try a new brew! Martin owns and operates Nectar of Life organic coffee company with their roasting facility located in Dalton Gardens, Idaho.

Nectar of Life Coffee Company was founded in 2002, and is dedicated to only roasting certified Fair Trade organic coffees.  Their philosophy is based on providing the public with high quality, handcrafted gourmet coffees to promote the efficacy of sustainable Fair Trade coffee farming.  Nectar of Life provides 100% Arabica coffees that are also 100%
organic and Fair Trade certified.  They provide these coffees at reasonable prices, many times at a lower cost than conventional gourmet coffees.  They also provide private label coffees for fundraising and business use.

Doesn’t that just make your mouth water? Check out their wide variety of gourmet organic coffee and make an order!

I’d like to introduce Carolyn and The Greening Place which is all about Sustainability, Ease of Reuse, Fundraising, recycling and most importantly Zero Landfill increase! Here’s what Carolyn has to say about The Greening Place’s cause…

The Greening Place offers free inkjet cartridge and cell phone recycling to groups of any size.  We have a large list of cartridges and cell phones that we pay you for, but we take all of them!

After ten years of collection programs we still only recycle around 20% of these two small electronics, which is sad because there are over 500 million inkjets going into the trash and 130 million cell phones that are either not recycled or stored and we repeat this every year. They are extremely easy to collect and recycle and we pay you! We offer collection materials and pay shipping.

No one knows why more businesses and other organizations don’t collect and recycle these in the work place where people go every day. Research does show that these types of programs would be the single most effective change that could finally increase the recycling rate and get more turned in for Reuse.

We’re different because we collect them to REUSE them.  About 60%-70% of what you turn in will be reused.  The remanufactured products that your old electronics become are in high demand in this economy because they are usually up to 50% less than a new cartridge or cell phone.

We know that sometimes small things like this can seem like small potatoes in the big green movement but it’s very important to recycle these because we keep using them in the hundreds of millions every year.  They are a big e-waste problem.  The other big reason is such a high percentage of them can be reused and reusing more of what we use is what sustainability is all about.

Please consider getting a collection going at your place of business, school, church or group and let’s get more of these turned in!  It’s easy, it’s free and you’ll make money in the process.

Our friend Lynette at Knowaste Ltd, The world’s leading developer of recycling technologies for nappies and personal care products, has launched a new sustainable roofing solutions venture. Here’s a summary of their press release on the new company and it’s vision.

The new company, SmallPlanet Building Products Ltd, will manufacture innovative global roofing solutions made from recycled plastic. Initially, this recycled plastic will come from a variety of sources but the ultimate aim is to use the plastic recyclates produced at the UK’s first Knowaste nappy recycling plant scheduled to open early in 2010 in Birmingham.

This plant will process and sanitize nappies and adult incontinence products, resulting in two outputs:  plastic and cellulose organic residue for green energy.  The plastic will be recreated into a variety of products, including plastic cladding, decking and roof tiles.

SmallPlanet will market and distribute roofing products to building contractors, roofing supply companies, homebuilders and architects and DIY, hardware and gardening stores.  Long-term plans will be for SmallPlanet to represent other manufacturers of recycled building materials such as decking and siding, thereby extending the product range.

Roy Brown, President and Chief Executive of Knowaste Ltd added: “More than 750,000 tonnes of nappy waste is disposed of in the UK each year – a figure that highlights the importance of developing alternative uses for post-consumer nappies. There is an obvious potential for synergy between the material waste produced by industry and householders and the raw materials required to produce construction products. We see this as a win-win opportunity.”

SmallPlanet roofing materials will be manufactured by Mailbox Mouldings in Stalybridge, Cheshire. The environmentally friendly production process utilizes recycled materials that are both pliable and durable to produce the roof tiles that will be available in a standard black color or with an additional natural stone granulate in Forest Green, Granite Grey, Traditional Red and Broadleaf Brown.

The tiles are UV resistant, colourfast and non-corrosive and their ultra-light weight nature allows for easy installation. The unique design also makes the materials easy to ply, saw and cut and provide good thermal insulation and sound absorption. The tiles are suitable for a wide range of buildings and purposes including non traditional and traditional housing, pre-fabricated and industrial buildings, over-roofing of asbestos, felt or industrial sheeting, conversion of flat to pitched roofs, sheds, conservatories, garages and stables.

I’d like to welcome PicoTurbine to our eco friendly community. They are not only pioneers of turbine technology but also ambassadors of the education for our young people to facilitate the future. Here’s what they have to say about their company’s vision…

PicoTurbine provides kits, books, and projects for the purpose of advancing the use of renewable (alternative) energy and inspiring students to look into the future. Our concentration is on Wind Energy; however, we offer a wide range of other renewable energy education items for fifth grade and up.

There is a an old adage which states: “Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I might remember some of it. Involve me, and I will master it”, which has been tried and tested. It has become a core concept of PicoTurbine. We provide renewable energy education products that encourage young people to learn hands-on and “see for themselves”.

Our products on their basic levels offer you the ability to produce electricity on a small scale. With further experimentation you can end up producing much higher levels of electricity. We suggest our Enhancer Section as the best starting point in giving you the ability to create more power. Test yourself and see how far your imagination can take you. Feel free to contact us along the way to help guide you on your “future” journey to learning about Renewable Energy.

I would like to welcome Paul from Alternate Power Technologies to our eco friendly community. His company specializes in creating turbines to collect wind energy and provide the hard to find parts for DIY enthusiasts.

Here’s what he has to say about their cause. “Our small company has specialized in building small variable pitch wind turbines, the pinnacle of efficient design. But, unlike many other companies, we have extended ourselves even further by offering a number of useful hard-to-get parts for those who wish to build their own energy producing devices. These are typically motivated individuals who enjoy the challenge of building these devices using their own good ideas. With that in mind, we offer two areas on our website which highlight meaningful videos and ideas along those lines. We are strong supporters of this devoted group of people who do more than lip service to our precious environment.”

So please visit his website if you’ve ever had an inclining to create your own environmentally friendly energy source. Sustainable energy will be one of the major challenges our children and grand children will face. Pioneers like Paul are making it readily available today.

Recently Canada’s Environment and Plastics Industry Council stated in a report that eco friendly reusable bags may “pose a public health risk.” The report was minor, and they did not suggest that reusable green bags shouldn’t be used. However, per the norm, special interest groups ranging from plastic manufacturers to lumber mills manipulated the store into something greater. They have begun promoting the report out of context to serve their interests. The Environment and Plastics Industry Council report is not a cause for concern in the least. Reusable green bags are a much better option to paper and plastic for a variety of reasons ranging from the environmental toll of disposable bags to saving for companies.

These interest groups, including plastics manufacturers and deforesters, are irresponsibly further stoking germophobia caused by the swine flu. What they neglected to mention is that simply washing your reusable bag after it comes into contact with contaminants will avoid any and all issues. The lumber and plastics industries have resorted to fear mongering to protect their interests, and they are doing it in both an inappropriate and unethical fashion.

Reusable bags are no different than other improvements in consumer products throughout history. During the Second Industrial Revolution (1890s) terry cloth replaced linen as the primary material for bath towels. Users experienced a better, more pleasant experience all around. However, as any parent knows when they unpack their child’s summer camp luggage, towels must be washed. This has now become second nature, and most people wash and dry their towels regularly. This avoids mold, bacteria, and anything else that may be a cause for concern. Simply washing your green reusable bag after they come into contact with anything suspect will have the same effect and render the report’s concerns completely unfounded.

The benefits of reusable bags outweigh any and all concerns. Green bags are longer lasting and don’t fill landfills or destroy forests like their plastic and paper counterparts. At last count over 203 billion (nine zeroes), have been used this year. The effects of this are drastic and far reaching. First, the raw materials used in making disposable plastic bags include complex oils that can actually poison rivers and streams. Next, these plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photo degrade, which means while the molecules may get smaller and smaller they never actually leave the Earth.

The opposite is true of reusable bags. They are made from RPET fabric or non woven material, which not only use recycled raw materials, but return harmlessly to the earth when you are done with them. Jason Tunick, of Factory Direct Promos, an industry leader in reusable eco friendly bags, says, “Businesses of all sizes should switch over to reusable bags today. The environmental toll taken by one time use bags is simply too great to go unchecked. Our bags are made from recyclable materials, are long lasting, and leave a drastically smaller footprint on the Earth. Not only that, we help strengthen our customers’ marketing messages as well.” His sentiments are echoed by others in the industry.

Reusable bags aren’t just great for the environment, they make economic sense too. Business owners have found that they can actually use recycled bags to entirely replace their plastic stock. The green bags are very affordable, and leave their customers promoting their marketing message for years to come. Don’t fall prey to the confusing message being sent by the special interest groups, reusable bags are harmless, eco friendly, and the only alternative to disposable bags. Go green today!

The Growing Popularity and Importance of Reusable Bags

Reusable grocery bags (also known as eco bags) have seen their popularity surge in the past few years. Celebrities from Aretha Franklin to Lindsay Lohan, and everyone in between, can be seen sporting them around town. What makes these reusable bags so great? Most importantly, the reduced environmental impact reusable bags have over disposable paper and plastic ones. Next, these bags are far more useful and customizable over disposables. Reusable grocery bags make a compelling case to vendors and merchants that still haven’t made the switch yet.

The environmental impact of opting for reusable non woven bags is the easiest to discern. According to the counter at Factory Direct, so far this year nearly 360 billion (360 with nine zeroes behind it!) have been wasted this year in the U.S. alone. These bags are filling garbage dumps, polluting rivers, streams, and waterways, and getting caught in trees at a truly alarming pace. Far too many landscapes are ruined by every present plastic bags tumbling through the air. The worst part is these bags never biodegrade (they photo degrade, meaning the molecules get smaller but never disappear. Within the disposable plastic bag niche (which should be moved away from completely) paper bags avoid much of these problems. However, they have plenty of their own.

First, we are running out of forests and jungles at an alarming pace. In 1999 alone, 14 million trees were cut down to produce paper bags for America alone. This has a two-fold effect. Not only does producing these bags produce greenhouse gases, the Earth is then less prepared to fight off these gasses due to the loss of trees. Next, according to several industry sources paper bags actually require four times the energy of plastic bags to be produced.

Paper and plastic are out and reusable bags are in. The disposable bags simply have too much of a negative environmental impact to warrant their continued use. The reusable grocery bags aren’t only better for the Earth, they are better for both users and marketers alike. A quality reusable bag can take over two years of normal use. This means that when a merchant gives one away, their customer becomes a walking, talking advertisement for a good amount of time. Since the material in eco bags is much more durable, a wider range of eye-catching colors, logos, and features can be used, making the marketing message that much stronger. Instead of having a one color logo on an ugly peach plastic bag, why not offer your customers a bright beautiful bag emblazoned with your brand? Doesn’t a custom branded nonwoven bag with 4 colors and a cell=phone holder built into the strap send a better message than seeing your brand on a plastic bag clogging a rain gutter somewhere?
Disposable bags are on the way out, and it’s for the better. All stakeholders involved, including the environment, customers, and store owners all stand to gain from the shift to reusable bags. They pollute less, last longer, and are more durable and better market companies that use them. What’s not to love? Switch to eco friendly bags today.

Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of the celebrity touch. From Jay-Z making Cristal cool (and then taking it all back) to Bob Dole making it OK to talk about “problems down there,” a strong celebrity endorsement is often what it takes to bring a brand into the limelight. I still remember drinking Gatorade with my Wheaties thanks to number #23. While my palette has since advanced; I must admit, I still want to be like Mike.
In the above examples an individual product or brand is being promoted, but the same effect can be had for an entire cause or movement. From Brad Pitt freeing Tibet to Pamela Anderson baring it all for PETA, celebrity endorsements are often what it takes to rally the masses. Now it is the environments turn. Celebs are now seen everywhere from the red carpet to the red clay roads of Georgia (Ludacris’ new hybrid) displaying an eco friendly message. Green has gone chic.
Actresses such as Natalie Portman are ditching the Louis Vuitton in favor of eco bags. Why spend so much in this economy when for under a $1.00 you can be just as stylish, and convey a positive message, with a custom reusable bag? Eco friendly bags have endless options and designers at Factory Direct Promos are ready to assist in making your creative vision a reality. A good nonwoven bag should last up to two years of regular use. When you are done with it, the recyclable raw materials mean that it can return to the Earth, not sit in a landfill. If a stylish eco bag is good enough for Natalie Portman or Gwyneth Paltrow, it should suffice just fine for the rest of us as well.
Quality reusable bags are just the start, eco friendliness is starting to pop up in celebrity driveways as well. Next time you see Ludacris cruising down the road know there is a lot more to his ride then just a set of chrome wheels and a thundering sound system. Under the hood you’ll find a hybrid engine that uses methods such as regenerative braking to increase his MPG, decreasing harmful emissions in the process. Perhaps he is going back to his mansion, where he has solar panels on the roof. Brad Pitt is another convert. He recently traded in his fleet of convertibles for the new Lexus RX 400h luxury SUV hybrid. Once the new Tesla electric sports car goes into mass production, look out for motorists cruising past you in eco friendly style.
These celebrities didn’t do anything dramatic or life altering. Ms. Portman simply opted to use reusable bags, while Ludacris and Brad bought a few new cars. This is exactly the point; there is no longer a reason not to use eco friendly products. They are cool and chic, display a positive message about your brand or self, and are quite affordable. The trendsetters are going the eco friendly route, so why shouldn’t you?
The impact is even more felt for business owners and marketing managers. No longer is it acceptable in the public’s eye to be wasteful or a polluter. Opting to use eco-friendly products, such as polypropylene bags in place of plastics, means that you are sending a message to your potential customers that you care about this Earth of ours. The little decisions we make really do add up. Next time you are in need of custom manufacturing, do the right thing, choose Factory Direct Promos.