Which Grocery Shopping Bag Should You Choose If You Want To Go Green?

Most of us are trying our best to make sure we do not needlessly damage the environment. One of the ways we can try to achieve this is by reusing our grocery bags and, wherever possible, using those that have a short life cycle or at the very least won't cause any real pollution or other dangers if disposed of at a landfill site. The reality is that entire species of bird and marine life are starting to edge close to endangered status due to the fact that they get tangled in plastic bags and die. This is as good a reason as any to stop using these bags! But which bags really are the best? Let's take a look at the life cycle of some of the most commonly used grocery bags.

The Plastic Bag

The plastic bag is seen as the big Bogey Man of carrying utensils. This is due to the fact that we believe them to take thousands of years to decompose and that they cause the death of various animals. While this is undeniably true, it also seems as if they are actually much greener to create and dispose of than other types of bags. It seems now, however, that the issue is not that we use these bags, but rather that we do not reuse them, even if we can.

"It is estimated that only one percent of plastic bags are recycled worldwide[10]After primary use however, polyethylene bags can be recycled in numerous ways. Even without reprocessing, plastic grocery bags can be re-used as garbage bags or shopping bags. Otherwise, the polyethylene can be reprocessed and create new plastic bags, or other goods such as clothing and containers."

The Paper Bag

More and more people believe that the better bag, therefore, has to be the paper bag. However, the reality is that paper causes mass deforestation, and that a huge range of energy is needed in terms actually harvesting these trees. Indeed, paper bags are not all that green, and they also don't last very long. A paper bag can usually not be reused because they tear and rip very easily. Indeed, it now seems that the environmental impact of a paper bag is actually far worse than that of a plastic bag.

"A paper bag has a more adverse impact than a plastic bag for most of the environmental issues considered. Areas where paper bags score particularly badly include water consumption, atmospheric acidification (which can have effects on human health, sensitive ecosystems, forest decline and acidification of lakes) and eutrophication of water bodies (which can lead to growth of algae and depletion of oxygen)."

The Cloth or Fabric Bag

This leaves us with the fabric or cloth bag. The cloth bag is really seen as eco-friendly. It is often made out of materials such as bamboo or hemp, which is seen as green and clean. Not just that, manufacturers often use Fair Trade contracts in order to make these bags. However, interestingly enough, the so called eco bags are actually incredibly damaging to the environment.

"The study reports that a canvas bag is expected to last for 52 trips. With that as a reference, a cotton/cloth canvas bag user does over twice the damage to the environment that a plastic bag using grocery shopper who throws away every plastic bag they get immediately after each shopping trip."

This means, surprisingly enough, that the most eco-friendly bag is actually the hated plastic bag. The same bag that we have been told to avoid for years. However, we should also reuse it and dispose of it properly in order to be truly green.

Check out our website!  greenbagpromos.com

Reusable Shopping Bags, Why They Are So Important

We all have to make real efforts to go green. Our planet is dying, and not of old age, but of systematic murder by our own kind. Although there is little we can do to break consumerism, to stop the governments from drilling for shale gas, to stop oil spills from happening and more, there are a number of things we are able to do. One of these things is to use reusable shopping bags. Think for one minute about why we don't bring bags with us when we go shopping. Do we really need to get new bags every time and throw them in the rubbish? Or could we just as easily remember to bring bags, or have some on us permanently, and actually make a real difference to our planet as a whole? Let's take a look at a few of the reasons why you should use reusable shopping bags.

Plastic Doesn't Decompose

The green agenda must be pressed a little bit more. Did you know that when you throw a plastic bag into the rubbish, it will never truly decompose?

"This means that as long as the earth is around, so will that plastic bag you used to hold your purchases last week."

Every time you quickly pick up a carrier bag from the shops, you are contributing to further permanent waste. You will forget about that bag as soon as you throw it out, but the bag doesn't actually go away. Ever. Add to this the shocking statistics about how many plastic bags we actually use - and throw away - each year in our country alone. That currently stands at 100 billion per year. This is a frightening thing, particularly when you start to think about how many bags that means on a global level.

Plastic Kills

Besides the fact that plastic takes about 10,000 years to decompose, and besides the fact that only 1% of plastic bags in our country do not end up on a landfill site, there are other things to consider as well. You may not be the most ethical person and believe that it will only take a few more years for scientists to come up with a way to rid us of all our garbage. However, you cannot get away from the fact that plastic bags kill bird and marine life. In fact, some of these have been brought to the brink of extinction.

"It's estimated that 1 million birds and thousands of turtles and other sea animals die each year after ingesting discarded plastic bags."

Scientists can perhaps come up with a way to destroy plastic bags permanently, or to change our landfill sites into beautiful parks and homes. They will never, however, be able to return the sea turtles to our planet. They will never be able to reverse the suffering we have caused to the albatross.

Stop Following Trends

Do you know why we throw our plastic bags away? Because we have been conditioned to do so by the petrochemical industry.

"The largest opposition to the ban of plastic bags comes from the petroleum and plastics industries."

Indeed, creating plastic bags (remember 100 billion per year) is a massive industry. If we all suddenly started reusing our bags, the petrochemical industry would really feel it in their pockets. However, why not stop being a conformist and actually thinking about what you're doing? Is it really that hard to change your consumerist behavior? And if so, have you ever wondered why you think it is so hard? Using reusable bags is such a simple step to make a real difference, so why not make the change today?

Check out our website!  greenbagpromos.com

Tips To Save Money On Your Promotional Bags

Although utilizing clever advertising techniques such as promotional bags can help your business stay on top by spreading its name through the many people toting it around town, they can be quite pricey to make over the long term. This is especially true if you feel like they aren't being carried as much as you'd like. You don't want to waste good quality products on people who aren't going to help represent your brand by carrying them around. Fortunately there are a few ways you can save money when ordering and distributing these products.

Buy Bulk

One way to save on your promotional bags as with anything else in advertising is to go bulk and order in a large selection at once to reduce costs in the end. It might seem steeper than ordering small term stock, but this prevents you from paying more than one fee for shipping as well as other fees that come along with your order. Heidi Thorne of Hub Pages writes:

"It may be tough to shell out funds for a large quantity order. But if you can project your use for a year and buy them all at the same time, you'll save by taking advantage of volume discounts and a single set up charge."

Of course you shouldn't order more than you're certain your company will use throughout the year. You don't want to lose money while trying to make money so run your numbers and do some research to determine these factors beforehand.

Be Picky

Get particular about who you're giving your merchandise to; yes, you want to see your name getting out into the world, but you don't want to see it crumpled up on top of a trash can at the next corporate gathering you attend. You can guarantee yourself less waste if you only give out these products to loyal customers who have spent a certain amount or been clients a certain number of years with the company. You could also base recipients on a draw so that the totes aren't just some random free item they got at a conference, but something won, which is always a little more fun to show off.

Decrease Color Count

Obviously ink costs money and this means that the more colors you want to utilize in your logo the steeper the price will be on the final product. Ecomarketing Solutions informs that:

"Many companies of all sizes have two logos available for advertising: one is often a one-color logo for yellow page ads and black and white forms; the other is a multi-color logo for printed material."

You've got to be careful here because you don't want to waste money, but you also want the product to look good and properly depict your company or business in a positive light. There's no point in creating promotional bags that don't promote, but rather send a negative message to the people you're looking to impress. The thing to remember is that if it costs more than the item being printed on to print something then it's probably not worth it.

Order On Time

Finally, getting your order in, whether it's bulk or otherwise, on time is pretty important, especially if you want to save some money on shipping. If you don't want to pay exorbitant prices for expedited freight bills then you need to give merchandise enough time to ship through the regular mail. This also guarantees you a level of calm in knowing that your equipment will be delivered before you even need it all, which means less of a rush when it comes time to sort and distribute everything.

Check out our website!  greenbagpromos.com

Why You Should Use Reusable Grocery Bags

We must all make efforts to make the world a better place. Going green is no longer some leftist, hippie nonsense, but rather something we truly must get behind. Our planet is starting to become one great landfill site and unless we make some real changes, we will end up with no place to leave behind for our children. A lot of green initiatives are expensive or difficult, but there are plenty of small things we can do as well, one of them being to use reusable grocery bags. Here are a few of the reasons why you should consider this.

1 - Understanding How Much Non-Reusable Bags Actually Cost

It seems like just a small plastic bag that you put in the rubbish, but try to think for a minute about how many plastic bags you throw away, perhaps even on a daily basis. Multiply that by the amount of people that live not just in our country, but around the world. Plastic takes years to disintegrate, but it can be recycled very easily. So why throw it in the rubbish at all? Think about the impact of plastic bags on nature for a minute.

"Public agencies in California alone spend over $300 million a year on coastal litter clean-up, at least 10% of which is washed-up plastic bags. Just think of how an extra $30 million could be redirected to, say, education."

2 - The Cost to Life

We know that plastic bags littering our coast lines and walkways are unsightly. Most of us also know that those bags, unless physically removed, will be there for many years to come. What many of us don't know, or don't consider for that matter, is just how damaging they actually are. We don't consider the impact on our wildlife for instance.

"It's estimated that 1 million birds and thousands of turtles and other sea animals die each year after ingesting discarded plastic bags."

That is a shocking statistics, particularly when you consider how easy it is to avoid it. Simply switching to reusable grocery bags is all that is needed in order to save turtles and birds, as well as fish and marine mammals. Some of these creatures are endangered and it would be a horrible legacy to leave to our children to know that we ended an entire species by discarding plastic bags instead of recycling.

3 - The Cost to You

One thing that drives almost everything in our society is money. None of us have enough of it, we all spend every waking moment thinking about it and we struggle through life just to make ends meet. Hence, knowing that switching to reusable grocery bags can actually save you money may just be that last little push you need in order to actually make the switch.

"Your weekly shop may use five or six bags; let's say these cost 5c each. 30c a week might not sound like much, but that's $15 a year that you could use for something else. Invest it in reusable bags that you can use at the market, carrying your library books... they're not just good for shopping."

Switching to reusable grocery bags is such a small thing to do, but it has a huge impact on the world. We treat the planet as though we own it and have another place to go, which is simply not true. This planet is all we have and we have a responsibility to make sure our children will have a place to live. A simple switch to something that makes your life easier as well will have a huge impact towards that.

Check out our website!  greenbagpromos.com

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

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

A Few Simple Ways To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Recently there has been a growing surge in people doing their part to reduce to their own carbon emissions footprint. This is because most people have recognized that most of the things we do and consume on a daily basis have some impact on our environment. Conscientious individuals around the world are taking small and simple steps to reduce their own carbon footprints so that future generations are not condemned to an overly polluted world. So what are some of the simple steps you can take in order to participate in this growing trend? Read on to find out.

One thing many savvy shoppers have recently begun to do is to reduce their use of disposable plastic or paper shopping bags. Both plastic and paper bags ultimately have a negative impact on the environment. Plastic bags are made from oil byproduct and tend to be non-biodegradable. In large quantities they can completely clog up sensitive water ecosystems and they are deadly to many aquatic animals. Paper bags are made from wood and deforestation is also a big environmental issue at this point in time.

So how do you go about reducing your use of harmful disposable shopping bags? The answer is simple: Use reusable shopping bags. Many people today are making the admirable decision to switch over to reusable shopping bags in order to be more environmentally friendly. Reusable shopping bags are usually made of sustainable fabric materials. They are also very cheap. They usually range from between 25 cents to 2 dollars in price. This makes them an affordable and reasonable alternative to disposable shopping bags.

Another simple step you can take to reduce your carbon footprint is to reduce the amount of air conditioning that you use in your home. Air conditioning typically uses an exorbitant amount of energy. By setting your thermostat a few degrees higher or lower depending on the season, you can significantly reduce the amount of carbon based fuel that your home will consume each year.

Another reasonable step to take to be greener is to drive a more fuel efficient car or switch over to hybrid of full electric technology vehicles. This will significantly lower your yearly fossil fuel intake and will ultimately reduce the amount of money you spend on increasingly expensive gasoline.

If you were to make just one of these simple changes, you could dramatically reduce the amount of energy you consume in a given year and ultimate;y do your part towards being greener and more sustainable. 

Check out our website!  greenbagpromos.com