Monday, November 18, 2013

Practical Reasons To Buy Reusable Grocery Bags

The more we hear about environmental problems and their impact on the earth the more conscious many people are in changing their habits. It seems more and more these days that plastic grocery bags are slowly fading off into the sunset. While they have proven to be very convenient they have outlived their purposefulness and have caused much more damage than many of us ever thought possible. In addition to the environmental reasons, there are also problems with cost to consider. That's why reusable grocery bags have been gaining in popularity over the years. According to Kate Pullen at greenliving.lovetoknow.com,
"Plastic grocery bags are considered very much a part of life.... However, the potential harm that these plastic grocery bags can cause has been recognized and there is a current move to reduce the number of plastic grocery bags that enter the system every year. Using recycled grocery bags are one way to reduce the use of plastic bags."
While many people have thought that switching to paper bags would be more environmentally beneficial, it has been discovered that it takes at least four times as much energy as making plastic to produce. It is becoming evident that using reusable grocery bags is better for the environment all around than paper or plastic. Here are some reasons why.

Reduces Oil Consumption

Manufacturers of grocery bags use oil as a base for making plastic grocery bags and that's in addition to the amount of energy used to create them. As reported by the Department of Energy, 83% of the energy used in the US comes from fossil fuels. That means that the use of plastic bags is actually contributing to the nation's dependence on this constantly dwindling source of fuel.

Uses Less Landfill Space

When plastic bags are buried deep in the landfills without exposure to sun and light, it could take as much as a thousand years to decompose. When you use recycled bags wherever possible, you free up a lot of landfill space and can actually keep hundreds of bags from having to be disposed of in other ways.

Cash Benefits

It's true that money gets the attention of many people and now many stores are offering a cash incentive for bringing in your own reusable bag. Some stores offer cash back for every reusable grocery bag you use. This may not seem like very much but with just one shopping cart of food every week (approximately 5 bags) could actually save a lot of money over the course of time.

What to Look for When You Buy Reusable Bags

When you are ready to purchase your reusable bags try to buy those made from organic materials, preferably cotton. It is great for keeping chemicals away from the food and can be easily tossed in the washing machine if they ever get soiled in any way. You also want to buy those that have been made to be strong and sturdy. This way the bag will last for a long time; some have even lasted for years if they have been made well.

As we have become more aware of what non-biodegradable materials can do to our environment it is evident that we need to continue to keep adjusting so that we can claim our earth back. Joseph Erdos of the Huffington Post makes this comment about making a change,
"If you've made the switch to reusable grocery bags, then applaud yourself for being environmentally aware. But if you're still using plastic bags, read the facts and consider making the switch. Our world deserves to be treated better."

People are finally realizing that much of what we do for convenience has caused and is still causing harm to our environment. Gradually they are realizing that they have to be socially responsible and take care of the world we live in. Even little things, like reusable bags can make a major difference over time in claiming our world back.

Check out our website!  greenbagpromos.com

Monday, November 4, 2013

How Custom Drawstring Backpacks Can Help Your Business

It's hard to believe that 50 years ago the backpack was a relatively new idea. The kid who came to school with a backpack was the kid that had everything. Other students envied them and couldn't wait to go home and beg their parents to get them one (parents, of course thought they were a luxury that they just couldn't afford.)
Today, backpacks are used for everything from school to camping and they even have special design features that would have been unheard of in the past. So, when you're ready to buy custom drawstring backpacks they are not the same as years ago. Then there was only one kind, a simple bag with a large mouth pocket that can hold a number of things for easy carry. While they can be used for many purposes, drawstring backpacks are often used for business promotions. According to the WiseGeek,
"These may also be able to be customized, but it usually must be done at the time of manufacture. These are typically simple drawstring backpacks. Some companies will give employees a promotional messenger bag or duffel bag instead, but these are not as common as backpacks because they tend to be more expensive."
There are many reasons why a company would choose a drawstring backpack for their promotions.

They Are Functional

These backpacks serve a useful purpose for the owner. Unlike other promotional items that may be small and decorative, these packs are happily used by the recipient to carry all sorts of things. When you place your company's logo or advertisement on the backpack, every time it is used you are getting advertising directing passersby to visit your place of business.
Often companies give out small gadgets like key chains and refrigerator magnets; these items are small and will only be seen by a very few people but considering the size of a drawstring backpack it will be noticed by many more people giving your business a much wider exposure.

They Are Inexpensive

They are also inexpensive in comparison to other similar promotional products. Depending on the size and design of the pack you choose many can be purchased for less than a dollar a pack. This makes promoting your business a very affordable means of spreading brand awareness.

They Come in Many Different Designs

Because they come in so many different designs, the packs can be tailor made to suit your customer base. Once you have determined who your customer is and how they will most likely make use of your pack you will use that information to tailor design the pack to fill those needs. Some designs include a drop bottom panel where they can be opened from underneath for easier access to your contents. Others may come with additional pockets, different types of drawstrings, and used with special materials. Whatever it will take to appeal to your customer.

A custom designed backpack is also a means to let your company stand out from the crowd. Knowing that your company is the only one that has that particular design will encourage people to do business with you when they see and admire the functionality associated exclusively with your name.
They are excellent promotional tools for anyone you meet. As explained by Print a Promo,
"The most common users of drawstring backpacks are students but are also widely used by professionals of any kind, travelers, executives, or anyone who wants to stay organized on the go and have ease in carrying belongings on the run."

Using a drawstring backpack to promote your business can give a far wider exposure than regular advertising might be able to do. Anytime a business gives a functional gift as a reward to a paying customer they put themselves in a position of higher respect and recognition and drawstring backpacks are the perfect way to do that.

Check out our website!  greenbagpromos.com