Going Green: Why Switch to Eco-Friendly Retail Bags?

Eco-friendly retail bags have become more in demand nowadays. These custom reusable bags are sold in the market to aid the increasing problems caused by the excessive use of plastics. These non-biodegradable packagings end up in landfills and are sometimes disposed of directly in the oceans, causing environmental concerns.

If these continue, our planet will be contaminated by unnecessary waste, affecting the food we ingest. Thus, to solve this foreseen problem, experts strengthen the initiative of using eco-friendly bags instead of plastics.

We, at ODM strongly support sustainable marketing. Therefore, in this blog, we will try to educate businesses on the importance of using eco-friendly bags, their options, how they will benefit them, the challenges they may face, and the practices they need to consider while implementing eco-friendly bags in their businesses. So, let’s get started.

What are the Different Types of Eco-Friendly Bags?

The best thing about using eco-friendly bags is that businesses can have a lot of options to choose from. Here are some of a few types of eco bags to consider.

RPET Bags

RPET stands for Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate.

They are one of the most eco-friendly alternatives for replacing HDPE bags and disposable plastic bags.

Following the new sustainability regulations, these bags are durable and reusable.

Likewise, they make an excellent print medium that lends itself to high-definition designs and graphics.

Kraft Paper Bags

These bags are more eco-friendly and the best substitute for plastic bags.

Not just for packaging, kraft papers are also ideal for making shopping bags because they are exceptionally strong.

Kraft paper bags are highly biodegradable; thus, they disappear entirely when they fall into the field and become a fertilizer.

Aside from its good effect on the environment, businesses would surely love this option because of its customization.

Reusable Bags

The main advantage of using reusable custom bags is that they can do what plastic bags can do.

These bags are commonly made from recycled materials and are designed to be used multiple times.

They help prevent the use of single-use bags, which contribute to increasing pollution.

Furthermore, they are very practical and can help save money that will be spent on new shopping bags.

Cork Bags

Cork is typically used for handbags, backpacks, and toiletry bags.

However, this material is also used for creating shopping bags.

Cork is from the cork tree; thus, it is guaranteed 100% natural and biodegradable.

Cork bags are extremely durable, making them ideal for groceries and shopping.

Fabric Bags

Fabric bags are very popular types of eco-friendly retail bags.

They are commonly made of cotton, canvas and jute materials.

The best thing about fabric bags is that they can be hand-washed or machine-washed and used repeatedly.

Moreover, they can be printed in different ways, making them still fashionable.

Benefits of Using Eco-Friendly Retail Bags

Environment

Did you know that approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide annually? Extreme, right? This figure shows how people take advantage of using plastic bags.

Thus, in the earlier part of this blog, we’ve mentioned the negative impacts of plastics on the environment and pointed out some ways eco-bags alleviate these.

To add to the list, eco-friendly bags also help prevent excessive littering as consumers dump their plastic waste anywhere. However, if they use reusable bags, they are more likely to keep and use them again.

In addition, using eco-bags can prevent the buildup of greenhouse gases. Renewable materials, such as jute, cotton, and bamboo, have a quick growth rate so that the plants can be harvested, and new crops planted quickly.

Not just for the environment, using customized eco-friendly bags also helps decrease animal extinctions.

Economy

Did you know it takes 12 million barrels of oil to produce plastic bags annually for the US alone? And transport and disposal are not yet included in the figure. Therefore, businesses investing in eco-friendly bags contribute to less fossil fuel use, saving water, and promoting more sustainable resource distribution.

Likewise, it takes $4,000 USD to recycle one ton of plastic bags, creating a product that can be sold for $32. Plastic bags may be cheap and convenient but expensive to clean up. The money and taxpayer dollars spent on plastic bag cleanup could be much more beneficial elsewhere.

Social

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) allows businesses large and small to enact positive change. It’s when companies choose to do what’s right for their bottom line and to build customer trust.

Implementing zero-plastic in business indeed affects how consumers perceive the brand. They feel that when they use a product or service of a socially responsible company, they are doing their part. The more socially responsible the company, the more supportive its community and consumers become.

That said, businesses using eco-bags tend to get more customers than those that keep using toxic plastics.

What Are the Possible Challenges?

Switching from toxic plastic to eco-friendly bags is not as easy as it may seem. There are many hurdles businesses need to overcome when turning to plastic bag alternatives. Here are just some of the most pressing ones:

Customer Behavior

Just like any product, not everyone will appreciate eco-bags essence and beauty. People may resist using them for shopping as plastics are more convenient, especially when buying wet goods.

Similarly, consumers would always compare plastic durability over kraft paper bags. Washing bags instead of ditching them out right after use would also be an additional task for them. Thus, customer behaviour toward this shift is something that businesses should be prepared for.

Cost

There’s no denying that eco-friendly retail bags are more expensive to produce than regular plastics. But there are reasons that so. First, fair labour and ethical practices cost more.

Moreover, sustainable materials cost more to grow and manufacture, and reputable third-party certifications, such as organic or fair trade, are not cheap. Though expensive upfront, these bags can help businesses save money in the long run.

Availability

Another problem with eco-friendly bags is that they are manufactured upon order. Unlike plastics, they are massively reproduced, allowing other companies to have them immediately whenever needed.

In addition, the materials used in manufacturing eco-bags cost more and take time to grow. Thus, it is crucial to produce them in a large amount already or place advance order to secure supply.

What Are the Best Practices for Using Eco-Friendly Retail Bags for Businesses?

Educate consumers on the importance of using eco-friendly retail bags.

Create campaigns that show the benefits and importance of eco-friendly bags. Use reliable resources to prove the negative impacts of using plastic on the environment.

Encourage the use of reusable bags.

Offer incentives for consumers who use reusable bags when shopping. This will help encourage them to make it a habit to have reusable bags whenever they visit retail stores.

Partner with suppliers that provide eco-friendly retail bags.

Choose a particular supplier that will manufacture your branded eco-friendly bags. Good working relationships with suppliers will not only deliver cost savings, but reduce availability problems, delays and quality issues – and that means you can have your supplies whenever you need.

Design bags that are durable and aesthetically pleasing.

Not because your bags will be only used for buying groceries doesn’t mean that you’ll not pay attention to its look. It is always very important to consider it’s design and function when creating them.

Eco-Friendly Bag Ideas from ODM:

As a company committed to sustainability, we take pride in our ability to offer a wide range of eco-friendly bag ideas. From reusable grocery totes made from recycled materials to compostable and biodegradable bags for waste disposal, we have an option for every need.

We strive to provide our customers with bags that are not only functional but also a reflection of their values. With our commitment to reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices, we are confident that we can offer you the perfect eco-friendly bag solution.

See how businesses worldwide shift to eco-friendly bags:

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What is the Future of Eco-Friendly Retail Bags?

With all the technological advancements, the future of eco-friendly bags is becoming brighter, not just for the environment but also for businesses and consumers. The time will come when natural sources of materials will no longer be a problem.

Availability will be easy, and people will fully appreciate the beauty and their relevance to lives and the community.

Final Thoughts

Eco-friendly retail bags offer many benefits to consumers, businesses and most especially the environment. With the every-growing environmental problems, it is us, the people who will suffer most.

Therefore, we have to take actions before it becomes too late for all of us. May this blog serve as a wake up call to brands and consumers the future we will have if we keep on patronizing and using toxic plastics in our daily lives.

How Does ODM Support Sustainable Marketing?

As a Product Development house for the marketing industry, our buying office is committed to doing our part and leading the change toward sustainable materials. We have compiled an extensive list of materials and products for our clients to consider.

We believe sustainable marketing is a major trend, and our industrial design team at Mindsparkz is working hard to integrate this into our projects. You may send us an email to learn more about our ideas and the services we offer. Or check our page: