Reusable Bags News

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.

The first thing made apparent is that product options don’t suffer. A look at their reusable shopping bags, for instance, shows a range of options. From typical custom printed bags to green shopping bags with shoulder straps or even wholesale wine totes, they offer a full product line-up. Their custom promotional bags offer a range of options to display your logo or message. Creativity is definitely not lacking in Factory Direct Promos’ products.
Next, you see that an eco-friendly take on promotional business items can actually expand your product catalog. Factory Direct Promos offers a wide range of promotional products, from seed bookmarks that bloom when you plant them to their unique Turf’n’Tin item (wheatgrass that grows out of a branded tin.) Eco friendliness not only helps the Earth, but from a marketing standpoint brings a breath of fresh air to product lineups.

Finally, and most importantly, is the benefit to all citizens of this planet. Their custom recycled bags, once the user gets two years of life out of them, decompose harmlessly. Likewise, imprinted pens made of corn (rather than plastic) don’t occupy space for long in our already overflowing landfills when they run out of ink. Further, seed paper products actually benefit the Earth, leaving behind a nice blooming flower.

At last count, over 360 billion plastic bags have been consumed this year. This is a truly frightening number, especially considering businesses can easily switch to reusable shopping bags. The benefits are apparent. Reusable bags are a better product, far more durable, eco friendly, and give business a great opportunity to shape their image or message. I encourage all stakeholders to turn to Factory Direct Promos for their next eco-friendly custom manufactured items. We can, and must, all work together to make sure we leave our children with a strong Earth, and shopping with Factory Direct Promos is but one of many simple ways to do this.

Governments everywhere are advocating reusable, recycled bags at a breakneck pace. It was a big week for shopping bags indeed. The end is drawing near for our disposable, gutter-clogging, tree-hanging one-time use friends. On the other side of the coin, eco-friendly RPET bags (think the Whole Foods bag) are enjoying their time in the sun like never before.
In 2009 large grocers and retailers in New York State that give plastic grocery bags to their customers must provide recycling bins for returned bags. It seems public awareness about the adverse effects of the typical petroleum-based shopping bags has finally boiled over into legislative action. This law has a two-pronged effect. Beyond the obvious, it represents a push towards using recycled grocery bags. Instead of buying a bin that uses up retail space and hiring a transport service to collect the throw-away bags, merchants are thinking that it is better and more profitable to simply give their customers recycled shopping bags. Flexible manufacturers such as Factory Direct Promos offer custom branded non woven bags that are cost-effective enough for mid-size merchants to get in on the action as well. Not only do retailers get to save the Earth, they can do it in style with their unique custom branding and leave a lasting impression.
On the other side of the country, Los Angeles is celebrated their second annual “Day Without a Bag.” L.A., historically one of the more eco-conscious cities out there, is making a major push to eliminate the unsightly disposable plastic bags completely. According to KTLA,
“In January, the county Board of Supervisors told large grocers to lower the number of plastic bags used by 30 percent by 2010 and by 65 percent by 2013, or else face an all-out ban. In July, the Los Angeles City Council ordered plastic bags to be removed from store checkout counters by July 1, 2010.”
This is more great news for all of the stakeholders. Reusable grocery bag manufacturers will enjoy increased sales, citizens will enjoy a cleaner city, and retailers, in using custom branded reusable bags, will get to have their message on the single most used product in their entire inventory.
Our brothers across the pond are getting in on the action as well. Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury (the three largest U.K. supermarket chains by sales) pledged to cut their use of disposable plastic bags in half. According to Bloomberg, this will eliminate enough waste to fill 60 Olympic-size swimming pools by this spring.
In summary, a new era in bags is dawning. The unsightly one-time use bags are being replaced by eco-friendly custom-branded reusable grocery bags that come in a variety of shapes and styles. This is a change where we all win.

1. Eco Friendly Materials and Production

“Eco-friendly” is the phrase of the day across industries. When showcasing your brand message, as is the case with promotional bags, it is imperative to change in order to meet customer needs. As consumers grow more and more eco conscious, it’s now a necessity that your products reflect that. This doesn’t limit your choices however, as suppliers offer a wide range of eco friendly bags in a wide variety of shapes, colors and styles.

2. Made with Recyclable Materials

Bags from quality manufacturers are lasting longer and longer. However, they do have a life cycle. After years of use, consumers will need to dispose of your custom branded bags. When they do, make sure that they are biodegradable, and won’t contribute to America’s growing landfill problem. You can take a look at a great selection of custom recycled bags and reusable bags by clicking here.

3. RPET is the Way to Go Green

RPET products, or those made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate are growing in use and utility. RPET has even been described as the “new polyester” by industry insiders. PET, most commonly used in water bottles and fabric, is long-lasting and can be recycled into new products. RPET represents a low- cost and environmentally friendly solution for your next giveaway bag. Not only are you reducing the amount of new raw materials needed, you are also giving consumers a long lasting and durable product they can recycle when they are finished with. Factory Direct Promos, the leader in eco-friendly manufacturing offers a wide range of RPET recycled bags, (plastic bottle bags), that are sure to suit your needs.

4. Unique Size and Shape

Regardless of eco friendless, you still want a product that is sure to stand out and attract your customer’s attention. From a clean corporate look to something fun and youth oriented there are a plethora of design ideas for unique looking green bags that are sure to be used. Their eco bags are offered with plenty of design, patter, size, and shape options that are sure to please even the most discerning marketing manager.

5. Fills a Need

When purchasing green bags you are sure to be left with a product that fills a definite need in the lives of recipients. Originally coined as “the Whole Foods Bag,” reusable shopping cart bags are growing in popularity and usage in astounding numbers. New uses for green bags are coming up every day. The latest has buildings using RPET bags as apartment recycling bags. Residents store newspapers and other recyclables such as cans and bottles in colorful recycled bags until trash day.

6. Cost

Eco friendless aside, cost is still a very important factor. Despite having a wide range of branding options (think sizes, shapes, colors, lay-out) Factory Direct Promos is still able to offer eco friendly reusable bags at affordable prices. This low cost option comes with the same high quality service and support that you would gladly pay more for. So next time you are in the market for custom branded bags be sure to request a quote from Factory Direct Promos and see what an industry leader can do for you.