Eco-Friendly Tote Bags: Good for the Planet, Good for Your Brand

When it comes to businesses' marketing and advertising efforts, one promotional product category is a classic: bags and totes. Promotional tote bags are a favorite for trade shows and conferences. They're getting even more attention thanks to new eco-friendly tote bags designed for grocery shopping, which help our environment and your brand at the same time. What makes a shopping tote eco-friendly? First, it must be reusable. All around the nation, communities are banning single-use plastic and paper grocery bags. These bags consume precious resources and clog up our landfills. It's important that we stop using these bags and make the switch to sturdy tote bags that can be used again and again. The next keyword is recycling. Some eco-friendly tote bags are recyclable and others are made of recycled materials. Either way, this conserves materials and energy, which are key environmentally friendly qualities. A popular recyclable eco-friendly tote bag material is non-woven polypropylene, and a recycled option is RPET, which is made from the plastic found in water and soda bottles. When choosing recycled products, be sure to note the percentage of post-consumer content.  

Recycled PET Tote Bag

This recycled PET tote bag used to be a water bottle! Now it shows off your brand at the grocery store[/caption] With these basic terms defined, we can discuss the promotional benefits of eco-friendly grocery tote bags. Just like traditional totes, they have a large imprint area, giving you plenty of room to show off your logo and message. They come in dozens of colors and are easy to match to your brand. They are easy to ship, store, and distribute, avoiding the logistical challenges of many other promotional items.Another option for eco-friendly tote bags is biodegradable construction. If the materials in the bag will break down naturally when exposed to air and water, then it can reduce landfill contribution. For example, cotton and jute tote bags are biodegradable. Finally, you might consider an organicbag. Natural fibers like cotton can be called organic when they are grown without environmentally harmful persistent pesticides. Also, note that many eco-friendly products come with a special label or hang-tag that explains the item's properties. This is important since many eco-friendly products look and feel identical to traditional items. It educates your recipient about your commitment to the environment. But the number-one reason to choose eco-friendly totes for your next promotion is simple: People want them, and people use them. Many Americans make two or three trips to the grocery store every week. That adds up to a lot of time carrying those bags around. Not only do they see your logo, the other people in the store see your logo, too. It is estimated that promotional tote bags generate 1,000 impressions per dollar spent. Compare that to television commercials, print ads, and other promotional products, and the winner is clear. Eco-friendly tote bags start between $1 and $2 each, and come in dozens of shapes and sizes. For maximum value, choose one with reinforced handles and a sturdy bottom. Remember, if the bag breaks, it will stop being used and you won't get any more impressions from it. Also consider convenience features like a shopping-list pocket, a pen loop, or a tuck-away pocket so the bag can fold up neatly when not in use. Contact us and we can help you navigate the options and choose the eco-friendly tote that's right for your promotion.