Reusable Bags NewsReuse & Recycle Eco Community

What is the big deal when it comes to disposable shopping bags?  You may have heard in the news over the last several years that we need to think twice about using plastic and paper grocery bags.  But why?  Why should you go out of your way to avoid using disposables, and start using eco friendly reusable or recycled grocery bags?  Before buying into any movement or cause, it is important to know exactly how your actions will make a positive impact on the environment and our world.  Today, we will go over some key environmental issues and problems associated with disposable shopping bag usage.

The Environmental Literacy Council does a great job of explaining the negative effects of both plastic and paper disposable bags at EnviroLiteracy.Org.  Let’s start with the environmental impact of manufacturing plastic and paper bags in the first place.  Plastic bags are produced using oil, and so the environmental consequences of production includes everything from extracting the oil, to the separation of products in the refining process, to the plastic manufacturing process, and the energy used and emissions created to distribute the bags to retailers.  So in reality, the production of plastic bags (caused by our demand as consumers) is a contributing factor to our dependence on oil.  Paper bags, are of course made from trees and contribute to worldwide deforestation and reduction of habitats all over the earth.  Also, the amount of energy used to manufacture and distribute paper bags and the carbon emissions created even exceeds that of plastic bags.  The truth is that neither paper nor plastic bags are a healthy product for our environment, especially compared to eco friendly reusable shopping bags.

Of course, as you likely know, another major issue with disposable bags is the widespread pollution and litter problem, especially associated with plastic bags.  Plastic bags have evolved to become the “modern tumbleweed”.  They show up everywhere and often end up in ponds, streams, rivers, lakes and in the ocean.  While researching this article I came across some startling information at 5gyres.Org, which educates people regarding the 5 gyres in our world’s oceans.  Here’s an excerpt:  “At sea floating plastics are swept up into slow moving currents.  These currents are called ‘gyres’.  Our Oceans are dynamic systems…. made up of complex networks of currents… Large systems of these currents, coupled with wind and the earth’s rotation, create ‘gyres’, massive, slow rotating whirlpools in which plastic trash can accumulate.”  The most famous of these is the North Pacific Gyre, which has also been called the “great pacific garbage patch”, has been researched the most and is an accumulation of trash and plastic estimated by many to be twice the size of Texas.  What most people don’t know is that there are actually 5 gyres spread throughout our world’s oceans where trash, and especially plastic is accumulating at a fast rate.  One of the scariest parts about all this is that marine animals often ingest this waste floating in the sea and suffocate or starve to death as a result or then WE humans turn around and eat these fish (and the plastic).  By using biodegradable bags, as opposed to disposable paper or plastic bags, our individual actions contribute to the solution rather than the problem.

The environmental crisis our world finds itself in today demands that we take action.  As you can plainly see, the widespread use of disposable shopping bags contributes to major environmental problems that are not going away.  We must change our individual habits by remembering to use eco shopping bags and/or reusable green bags every chance we get.  When we take a stand against the widespread pollution problem caused by disposable shopping bags, we are creating a healthier world one decision at a time.

Care about our world’s oceans, plants and animals?  Of course you do, and you’re not alone. Concerned people everywhere agree we have an environmental disaster of historic proportions on our hands in the Gulf of Mexico. You may have heard that the oil spill appears to be larger than previously thought.  Purdue University engineering professor Steve Wereley, after analyzing BP’s congressionally mandated live video feed of the spill, estimates that up to 100,000 barrels of oil are leaking from the bottom of the ocean every day.  This news adds to a laundry list of bad news on the worldwide environmental and economic front in recent years and it can be overwhelming and flat out depressing to think about.

But what can we do to help?  Most of us have jobs and families we must attend to. It’s not like we can just drop everything and head down the gulf to help with cleanup.  Furthermore, many of us wouldn’t have the slightest idea of how to help with an oil spill clean up or have the resources to make a significant difference.   So how can we be a part of the solution?

We have to stop thinking so big, and begin small.  It is little decisions like riding our bike to work and recycling our aluminum cans that is what we must do to help.   For far too long our culture has treated issues such as recycling as “optional” and with complete ignorance.  We have an extremely short memory as a society.  As an example, check out Anne Casselman’s article about the Top 10 Biggest Oil Spills in History at PopularMechanics.com. The shocker is that the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989 doesn’t even make the list.  Oil spills keep happening throughout the world repeatedly and we all act like this is a once in a decade thing or something.

The truth is that oil will continue to be drilled as long as there is demand for it.  Our culture’s attitude about clean energy and the green movement needs an immediate shift.  But like I said, we must start small and simple!  For example, another huge environmental issue is the amount of plastic that is being used in this world, and this plastic is ending up in our oceans just like the oil.   You’ll be shocked if this is your first time hearing about The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and as Oprah Winfrey reported last year “ is estimated to be twice the size of Texas”.   Although this giant garbage dump is composed of all kinds of floating trash and debris, plastic is the biggest problem because it never really decays completely.  So not only do we have oil spills in to our oceans, we also have plastic and trash spills.  According to the Container Recycling Institute, 51.9 billion beverage containers have been consumed so far this year, as of late May.  Reusable water bottles are a perfect example of the kind of simple changes we can make in our individual habits and lifestyles. Imagine the difference that can be made if the average person chooses to use stainless steel water bottles instead of plastic bottles.  In the same way, we can prevent environmental catastrophes by not driving gas guzzling inefficient cars and walking or using public transportation instead.

We all care deeply about the health of our planet, and now we need to turn our disgust for the disaster in the Gulf into simple action and minor adjustments in our lifestyle.  Don’t let the latest news get you down, develop a vision for a healthy planet and do the right thing: Go Green.

It is that special time of year again. The Earth’s birthday, well we don’t know that for sure. So lets call it the Earth’s re-birthday, Earth Day 2010. In honor of our planet and her precious finite resources, Factory Direct Promos is proud to announce the release of new attractive eco promotional products for businesses. These crafty eco promotional items such as custom printed reusable bags made of non-woven polypropylene material or RPET recycled material, business cards made completely of seed paper, and PLA corn products are an excellent way for a business to promote their brand, message and environmental awareness amongst their potential customer base at trade shows and conferences.

Factory Direct Promos, owned and operated by Jason Tunick, based out of Coral Springs Florida has been streamlining custom eco bags and promotional products at wholesale prices to businesses since 2003. Jason has a background in advertising and marketing platforms for companies and has always been an ambassador for the environment and protecting vital ecosystems from overflowing landfills and litter throughout our streams and rivers. He entered the business-to-business realm to motivate companies to effectively drive both their brand and raise interest in taking a stand for improving the ways we handle waste in our society. Here’s Jason’s take on businesses being eco leaders for America:

“I believe that by interacting with hundreds to thousands of businesses we can reach millions. The consumer must understand that we have a duty to this planet and it cannot be taken for granted. My efforts to help companies promote their brand with eco friendly products is making a small difference, but it is a million small differences that lead to one gigantic positive outcome for all people on this planet. I hope to leave our mark by lightening our carbon foot print on the Earth and establishing a mecca for all generations to come.”

There are many ways for a business to promote their brand with Factory Direct Promos; anything from recycled paper pens to reusable stainless steel water bottles. Amongst the new eco product lines are the 100% biodegradable corn products, often referred to as PLA, an acronym for polylactic acid, which is a strong polymer that biodegrades completely within 30-45 days. Another interesting product is seed paper, made completely of seeded woven material. When these seed cards are discarded they break apart and plant in the soil. Within two weeks a sprout will break ground and a flower is born, what a provocative idea! This versatile seed paper can be used for business cards, greeting cards, promotional flyers, CD cases and much more all custom printed with company logo and message. Jason also recently introduced a line of Grow Green Kits, desk plants or herbs that simply need water to germinate and sprout. His featured lines of reusable stainless steel water bottles are a perfect way to everlastingly promote a business’ brand and be a part of the solution to the plastic bottle waste issue.

eco custom promotional trade show bags

The core competency of Factory Direct Promos has always been eco friendly wholesale reusable bags and RPET recycled custom bags. Jason is able to keep a very small turnaround time on the custom imprinted logo bags, delivering within 60 days and in stock wholesale reusable bags are shipped in as little as one week. The recycled PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) material is made from 85% used plastic water bottles. Through a process of heating and shredding the bottle is grained into fine strings of material which are then woven into the recycled bags. Yes, that is correct, the plastic bottle waste is transformed into a recycled and reusable bag. These promotional trade show bags are durable and can then be custom imprinted with company logo, message and colors. This is an extraordinary alternative to plastic trade show bags, which when handed out are typically discarded within 24 hours and add to our waste issues. So for a company to hand out reusable bags is a win-win for the business and the environment. The bag is kept for an extensive period of time, keeping the brand alive in the consumer’s mind and is not thrown away to pile up in a landfill somewhere.

Factory Direct Promos is now making an asserted effort to help spread the word in online eco forums, blogs and social networks. By creating and maintaining an  eco blog resource full of updated reusable bags news and information on recycling, plastic waste, and other green issues, Factory Direct Promos is directly engaging the world-wide eco friendly community like never before. Jason’s team writes original articles on the issues green-minded people care about, and portraits of other interesting eco-minded companies and organizations detailing their perspective on methods for a greener planet. This reusable bag blog is the medium to create an active eco community online and tighten the fabric of the web to motivate more discussion and debate on which direction we should move as a people to solidify our planet for the future. So on this Earth Day 2010, the first of the new decade, Jason is reaffirming his oath to the environment and his leadership in the B2B market to help companies promote their brand, environmental awareness, and their inherited responsibility to our planet and future generations.

About FactoryDirectPromos.com
Factory Direct Promos Inc was founded by Jason Tunick in 1996. Located in Sunny South Florida, Factory Direct promos, Inc. is a direct manufacturer of Eco Friendly Promotional Products imported direct from his exclusive factories overseas. The website features over 100 eco products such as reusable and recycled bags, stainless steel water bottles, recycled lanyards, organic t-shirts, corn pens, seed paper bookmarks, seed paper shapes, recycled baseball caps and more. Jason Tunick’s twelve year commitment to finding and using renewable resources in his design, development and manufacturing of environmentally friendly premium products, makes his Eco Life product line a pioneer in the eco movement.

Imagine for a moment, a future world where all the paper products we consume can sprout into a flower if planted in soil.  Like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory where everything is edible, except in this ideal world: all the paper is seeded and sproutable, and the schnozberries still taste like schnozberries!  As it turns out, seed paper makes this possibility a reality.

If you’ve never heard of seeded paper, you’re not alone; who knew paper made from seeds could produce a flower or any plant for that matter? Yes, despite the paper making process, the seeds can still germinate which allows them to sprout when planted.  Seed paper is a beautiful, attractive, and easily recyclable product that can include a variety of plant seeds.

But why should we use and spread the word about recyclable seed paper and all recycled paper for that matter?  According to the CWAC (Clean Water Action Council) the answer is because of the environmental damage caused by the paper industry, which is much more than just deforestation:

8 major environmental damages caused by the paper industry (CWAC.net):

• Contaminated Sediments, Fish & Ducks — major source of toxic chemicals in rivers.
• Continuing Toxic Pollution — major source of toxic chemical pollution.
• Conventional Air Pollution — large source of  air pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxides and particulates.
• Energy Consumption — energy intensive, drawing larges amount of electricity from public utilities, or forcing mills to build their own power plants.
• Water Consumption — uses a great deal of water.
• Solid Waste — generally produces a large amount of solid waste
• Deforestation — Worldwide, enormous tracts of forest are affected by the paper industry, contributing to the world’s tragic deforestation trends.
• Corruption of Democracy — The paper industry is a special interest and is well taken care of by the politicians and government.

Most of us are aware of global warming, man’s ever-growing carbon footprint, and harmful man-made pollution of all kinds.  We see with our own eyes the harmful toll on the environment caused by the cumulative effects of our individual human actions and habits.  We want to reduce, reuse, recycle, and make this world a better place for future generations, but sometimes we need to be encouraged, inspired, and reminded.  Seed paper is a great way to inspire each other to go green.

If you’re a business professional, environmentalist, business owner, salesperson, or just sending your annual holiday letter to friends and family, using seeded paper as your correspondence stationary is a great way to convey your personal or organization-wide commitment to reducing your carbon footprint while also saving trees.   Every time you give out your seed business card, or send out your holiday seed cards you are spreading the good news about seeded paper, recycling, and the absolute necessity for all of us to live and be eco friendly.  As the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day approaches (April 22^nd), there has never been a more appropriate time for companies to show their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint by adopting green practices to make this world a better place for future generations.

So how’s that 2010 new years resolution going? Well, if you’re like many or even most of us, you may have already given up.  It can be extremely difficult to change one habit.  In fact, we may go year after year making the same promise to ourselves to break a bad habit.  Then we break the promise of breaking that habit (sound familiar smokers, habitual soda drinkers, or fast-food eaters?).  It’s a vicious cycle! How do we break it?

I propose we adopt a strategy of changing a variety of simple and easy things in our lives, right now, instead of having just one goal for change.  What if changing in just one way is not enough? As we make decisions to change, even in small ways, we gain momentum and confidence in our ability to make positive changes regarding some of the more difficult things like working out regularly and finally losing that extra weight.  So let’s start building that confidence!

I see two simple yet significant ways I can change our planet and myself.  First, I’ll use eco friendly reusable or recycled shopping bags instead of plastic and paper bags when I shop.  Secondly, I’ll remember to use stainless steel water bottles. You may be surprised by what a positive influence these two easy habits can have on the world.

These habits are simple, easy and affordable.  Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, plastic containers and bags are not addictive (we promise, no withdrawals or cravings)!  Many aren’t mindful of how our usage of these products affect our planet’s health.  Once upon a time not long ago, we weren’t mindful of the harmful effects of cigarettes.  We accepted cigarette smoke as the status quo.  Some of us still smoke or live in communities where smoking is allowed in public indoor spaces.  Using reusable grocery bags and reusable water bottles can be new healthy habits and so easy compared to something like quitting caffeine, high fructose corn syrup or eliminating fast food from our diets.  Keep a stash of eco friendly recycled bags in your car, backpack, or shoulder bag.  Make a small investment in a stainless steel reusable water bottle and bring it with you everywhere you go.  You will not only reduce the harmful affects of disposable bag and disposable bottle waste in our environment, you will also inspire others to make these simple changes in their lives as well.

The best part is how you will feel about yourself when you realize you’re now part of the solution, rather than the problem.  Check out the stats and facts:

Disposable bag usage:

• Plastic bag waste pollutes our lands, forests, ponds, rivers, lakes, and oceans.
• Just since the year began (as of March 1st, 2010), it is estimated that over 82 Billion plastic bags have been consumed in the USA.
• According to the EPA this contributes to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of marine mammals (who ingest and subsequently choke or die of starvation as a result).
• In California alone, an estimated 19 billion plastic bags end up in landfills each year.
• Although there is debate about which one (plastic vs. paper) is worse for the environment, there is no debate that the widespread adoption of reusable eco bags is by far the best solution for this significant environmental problem.

Plastic bottle usage:

• According to the Container Recycling Institute (CRI), more than 21 billion beverage cans and bottles have been landfilled, littered and incinerated so far this year (yes just since 2010 began).
• CRI also reports that Americans purchase an estimated 34.6 billion single serve plastic bottles every year and hundreds of millions end up in the same places that disposable bags end up.

We all dream of a day when we finally break loose of our bad habits:  quitting smoking, eliminating fast food in our diet, or just getting off the couch and working out!  You know you can do it!  Determine what you can easily change now, and act on it.  So make a simple change in your life today: Adopt a reusable shopping bags and stainless steel water bottle habit and start building momentum for greater changes that are beginning in your life right now!

I’d like to welcome Heather and her company Extinct Design to our eco community.  With a dream of taking forgotten designs from the past and weaving imagination into a new era. Here’s some more from Heather on her unique designs…

Recycled Vintage Clothing

What you wear can say a lot about your individual style, your creativity and now even your beliefs! Recycled clothing and vintage handmade eco fashion garments help reduce the need for mass produced “quick fix” clothing.

Extinct Design has been set up to celebrate this individual style, recycling of ideas and clothing whilst promoting quality on trend eco-fashion. The couture range has been hand-crafted and are all hand finished pieces incorporating vintage, pre-owned material in an imaginative and truly personalised way.

There is a range of exquisite dresses from the 50s, 60s, and 70s that will add colour and quality to your wardrobe.

Every girl deserves the perfect dress and Extinct strives to bring you just that! Quality handmade pieces that are meant to last more than one season. Heather Jones, Designer and Owner of Extinct says “I love making things, producing one-off pieces designed and tailored just for you. Making items to order rather than producing any unnecessary wastage. All neatly packaged up
using recycled materials.”

I would love to hear from anyone who is interested in creating their own home-made garments or re-styling their clothing, re-using the materials. A feature soon to be added to the site will include tutorials on updating items you may already have – free of charge.

You can always browse the store to update your look with stylish items such as our vintage coloured tights, handbags or shoes! Also unearthed treasures harking back to a bygone time where men were princes and ladies were glamour pusses can be found to adorn your home. www.extinctdesign.co.uk ~ breathing life back into forgotten clothing,
vintage dresses whilst restyling material into modern wonders….

Visit Heather’s visionary website today and check out all of her cool designs and read more about her vision.

I’d like to introduce Cindy and Sarah’s Essence whom offers AromaMists, Bath Salts, Jojoba moisturizers. Here’s more from her on the wonderful products they offer to put your mind, soul and body at peace…

Discover the aroma of pure essential oils to enhance your life with Sarah’s Essence®, created by Cindy Wolk-Weiss as an extension of her healing practice and interest in aromatherapy. She began hand-creating unique massage blends and aroma mists for her clients. Due to her concern about the ingredients she found in “natural” body care products and her own sensitivity to fragrances and chemicals she began her search for healthier products. Cindy then expanded into luxurious bath salts, gentle body powders and Jojoba blend face and body moisturizers.

All Sarah’s Essence® products contain the finest therapeutic essential oils that has been blessed with Reiki energy and assistance from Divine guidance into each individually hand blended product. Vibrational qualities of essential oils and gemstones are incorporated to influence the energetic body. All products are perfume free, no synthetic ingredients and most are organically grown or wildcrafted. ONLY the purest and quality tested essential oils are used not synthetic perfumes or fragrances. Products are made in small batches to maintain freshness. You will find these mists pleasantly mild and not heavily scented. Simple is best!

We give back and so do YOU! Sarah’s Essence® is committed to creating an environmentally sound product. We are serious about our commitment to the environment so we DONATE a percentage of all profits to The Jane Goodall Institute (and at times other quality groups). Jane Goodall’s mission is similar to ours, to advance the power of individuals to take informed and compassionate action to improve the environment for all living things.

May Sarah’s Essence bring you peace, joy & healing

Visit their website today to browse the many aromatherapy products and you will be at ease!

Trees and Tots is an organic/natural web-based boutique that carries a spectacular array of merchandise for babies, children, teens and a few for the home.  We are a quaint company ran by a family raising our own children a beautiful shade of green, conscious of the environment and healthy.  We are very aware of the of the harmful chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, carcinogens and toxins in so much of the food we eat, clothes we wear, cleaners we use, bedding we sleep in and toys our precious children play with.  We realized that the safest, healthiest way to raise our family was organically and naturally; from food to clothing, cleaners to bedding and shampoos to toys.  Parents do want the best for their children and we can help you achieve this.  We at Trees and Tots want to help you raise your family green while being mindful of the world we live in and share.   We are dedicated to helping babies, toddlers and children lead a balanced, healthy and happy lifestyle while educating Mommies and Daddies on how and why to do so.  We want to be your one stop shop for all your wee one’s organic natural, safe and healthy needs.  Our web-store is open 24/7/365; you can’t beat those store hours.  We at Trees and Tots believe in doing our part to make our land a cleaner, healthier environment and are always striving to lessen our carbon foot print. 

We care about the trees and tots in the world and their prosperous future, so therefore do what we can to preserve Mother earth.  We appreciate all she gives us, her sheer beauty and want our great grandchildren to enjoy the same wonderful natural amenities.  We  make a conscious effort and it a common business practice to reduce, reuse and recycle.  We carry 100% certified organic clothing, 100% all natural products and everything is earth friendly.    Our company policy is to only purchase and support fair trade products and small handmade toy makers because I feel they are made of superb quality and are unique. 

We are always looking out for new amazing and safe products to carry in our on-line retail store to offer parents.  A goal of ours is to help clean up our planet, have less pollution and chemicals emitted in the air we breathe, save the nearly extinct animals, have a few less diseases to attack us and to live a longer meaningful life.  Our simple mission now is to provide excellent products and superior customer service, while being mindful of the earth we live in and share.  We have a resourceful Blog, insightful green living articles, organic kid-friendly recipes and also sell previously loved organic clothing and toys to give them a second life and keep them out of the landfills.  We truly do care about the trees and tots in the world!

This is courtesy of Tracy at Trees and Tots. Welcome Tracy and thank you for your dedication to the environment and children, the two most important aspects of our Future!!

I’d like to welcome Sadhu and his Eco Farm Govardhan Gardens to our eco community. Here’s a brief summary of their vision…

Govardhan Gardens is a popular eco-farm on the west coast of Puerto Rico. It is the home of the most diversified collection of tropical fruit and nut trees in the Caribbean. To help preserve and spread biological and genetic diversity in the tropics, the Garden’s nursery offers seeds of over 100 types of organically grown tropical fruits and nuts which are shipped internationally. Recently, about 40 species of structural, edible and ornamental bamboos have been added to the collection and nursery. Yearly, hundreds of visitors enjoy tours through the property. The farm serves as an educational role model for anyone interested in alternative tropical agriculture. Workshops and seminars about tropical fruit and bamboo are offered locally. The owner, Sadhu Govardhan, helps land owners in the entire Caribbean to develop eco-farms and he regularly holds conferences about sustainability, exotic tropical fruits and the importance of bamboo.

People around the world are participating in sponsoring Govardhan Garden’s tree planting project. For a minimal amount, people can have a special tree planted in their names. Sadhu Govardhan’s recently published “Oro Verde – Securing the Future of our Food” has helped change the view about ecological farming in the tropics and is used by hundreds of students, farmers and agricultural educators. If you ever plan to buy land in the Caribbean, Sadhu can help you with finding, analyzing and developing the land. Farming-related e-mail questions are answered for free.

Visit Sadhu’s website for more information on how you can get involved and if you are in search of any land in that area.

I’d like to welcome the innovators at Rishi Tea to our eco community. They produce only authentic loose leaf teas straight from tea gardens across Asia using ancient artisanal practices, organic cultivation methods and fair trade practices. It began in 1997 by a man named Joshua Kaiser, a long time traveler and student of asian tea-making techniques and the 1000’s of years of history behind tea-making in the far east. He had a vision to bring this unique taste to North America.

Each year Rishi Tea travels thousands of miles to find the points of origin where the tea leaves are harvested creating personal bonds with the families who have been cultivating the leafs for generations and setting up relationships that benefit the tea farmers and helps them sustain their industry and ancient techniques. Here’s Rishi’s dedication to sustainable organic manufacturing of their teas…

Rishi Tea’s commitment to sustainability is a core company philosophy that stems from the organic tea gardens where our teas are harvested. Our firsthand experience in many tea-growing regions led to our heightened awareness of the dire need for social responsibility. Rishi Tea was among the first to earn organic certification under the USDA’s Natural Organic Program in November of 2002 and at the forefront in the advancement of Fair Trade Certified tea, becoming one of the highest payers of social premiums from the sale of Fair Trade tea. The TransFair USA Fair Trade Certified projects with which Rishi partners directly support a better life for the tea-farming families and their communities through fair prices, fair wages, safe working conditions, environmental sustainability, education and community development.

Visit Rishi Tea and browse all of their different unique flavors and blends. You will notice a distinct difference in flavor and quality when you taste the true origin of loose leaf tea from asian tea gardens.