It’s all in the Bag
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 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 reusable 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.
About Factory Direct Promos:
Factory Direct Promos is the leader in eco friendly reusable bags. They can be found through their website, http://www.factorydirectpromos.com or contacted at (866) 222-0949
July 2nd, 2009 - Posted in Eco Smart Solutions | | 0 Comments
Eco-Swag: When Going Green Goes Cool
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, found at www.factorydirectpromos.com, 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.
May 26th, 2009 - Posted in Eco Smart Solutions | | 0 Comments
Top 3 Uses for Corporate Promotional Gifts
3. Trade Shows and Expos
It can be a real challenge to stand out from your competition at trade shows and expos. At the next event let your brand shine with creative promotional products. From captivating point-of-sale displays to colorful reusable bags or pens Factory Direct Promos offers a wide range of great products to stand out from the masses.
2. Internal Giveaways
Any good manager knows that you have to keep your employees happy. A great way of saying thanks is by giving them a nice inexpensive gift. The key here is to offer something that is either useful in their day-to-day activities or something they will enjoy. Factory Direct Promos has got you covered for both. A nice branded pen or bag is sure to get plenty of use, while our seed download cards will give them a song they love and flowers in their backyard. For more about seed download cards please take a look at http://www.factorydirectpromos.com/promotional-business-items/seed-cards.html.
1. Clients and Prospects
Buying decisions are motivated by a wide range of factors. Often purchasing managers will simply choose whoever is freshest in their mind. This is exactly why it is vital to fill their offices with creative products that display your branding message. Whether you opt for a custom branded hat, reusable bag, or imprinted pen make sure to leave a lasting impression.
May 14th, 2009 - Posted in Eco Smart Solutions | | 0 Comments
Opportunities abound
U.S. and China agree on environmental and climate change agenda: Opportunities abound
According to a statement from the White House, President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China agreed to open a dialogue to discuss, among other things, climate change and the environment. Obama took the chance to showcase the United State’s most recent efforts in the areas of energy efficiency and green production. Of course, the eco-friendly crowd is watching these discussions closely to determine where we can first expect progress.
China and U.S. cooperation on environmental issues has already been seen in the private sector for some years now. Companies such as Factory Direct Promos, a full-service direct-from-manufacturer production house, have already made the jump into environmentally-conscious factories on the Chinese mainland. Factory Directs’ 18,000 sq. ft. production facility is constantly looking for new ways to lessen its environmental footprint, and is having a great deal of success. In particular, Factory Direct strives to use eco-friendly raw materials (in particular post-consumer recycled materials) wherever possible, and enjoys creating eco-friendly products such as their wholesale tote-bags. These custom printed bags are recyclable and present a much better option over out-dated disposable plastic bags. This empowers marketing managers to have products that not only effectively spread their message, but help the environment in style.
Factory Direct employs a flexible business model ultimately designed to benefit its customers. In practice, this means that clients looking for the fastest turnaround time on their imprinted reusable bags can employ one of Factory Direct Promos’ stateside resources. On the other end, buyers in need of the best price on their wholesale shopping bags can rely on Factory Directs’ overseas facility to manufacture their promotional business items.
Designers at Factory Direct Promos are full of great ideas, and their direct-from-manufacturer business model means buyers are able to pay less for their imprinted items. The creativity is apparent, from Factory Directs’ green shopping bags, which have an endless amount of options, to its other custom promotional products, such as calculators in the shape of your logo to eye-catching point-of-sale displays that are sure to capture consumer attention.
Factory Direct Promos global model benefits buyers and users alike. Effective product branding means maximum ROI, and their eco friendly take on manufacturing ensures that a minimal footprint is being left on the Earth. Business owners, marketing managers, and decision makers are all strongly encouraged to turn to Factory Direct Promo’s for their next order of custom promotional products. Even in this new and challenging economy, Factory Direct Promos can help increase your brand awareness in a cost-effective and planet-friendly way. As a new era of cooperation between China and the U.S. on environmental issues begins companies such as Factory Direct are already fostering eco-cooperation between the two nations.
About Factory Direct Promos:
Factory Direct Promos is the leader in the manufacturing of eco friendly custom-branded promotional items, can be found through their website, http://www.factorydirectpromos.com or contacted at (866) 222-0949
April 6th, 2009 - Posted in Eco Smart Solutions | | 0 Comments
Supporting a Cause and a Greener Future
When finding a reusable shopping bag to sell in our local grocery store we decided to go even further by supporting breast cancer research as well. We easily customized the bags with our name and made sure that shoppers knew that proceeds from sales of the bags would support the worthy cause. It has been a major hit so far with sales exceeding expectations. Shoppers now know how dedicated our store is to reducing waste and finding a cure. We also see that customers seem more likely to purchase the bags knowing that the benefits are doubled.
- Loretta G., Savannah, GA
October 2nd, 2008 - Posted in Eco Smart Solutions | | 0 Comments
