Reusable Bags Can Save the World

How Reusable Bags Can Save the World and Your Brand

A socially responsible society is defined by the constant desire to reflect, and to become better. Over the last half-century, our global community has gone from the lowest levels that society can ever go, to a place where we can unite around something as simple—yet complex—as the planet we live on.

As the tolls that mankind has taken on the planet become more and more apparent, we have successfully crossed from the horror of realization, to the acceptance that we need to fix something. In this infographic, we discuss the problem of single-usage bags, and what role they play in our ever-evolving society. We talk about the solution to this problem, and what positives it presents to us as a socially conscious group.

In a time where speed and efficiency is paramount to the average individual, the opportunity to blend social responsibility with a more cost-effective way of shopping is something that makes a great deal of sense.

Across the United States, multiple municipalities are voting to enact a baggage fee in order to encourage customers to bring reusable bags to stores.

Over 130 cities or counties across the U.S. have either banned single-use bags or started charging for them.

• As of July 1, 2015, single-use plastic bags banned at large retail stores in California.
• Hawaii’s most populous counties prohibit non-biodegradable plastic bags at checkout.
• North Carolina banned plastic bags for the Outer Banks region in 2009.

Disposable bags in North America cost roughly five cents. Those cents add up—for the store and ultimately, for the customer!

Good for the Consumer

By purchasing and using reusable bags, customers can:

• Endorse a company or brand that they support
• Make a socially conscious fashion statement
• Save the money they would have used on disposable bags

Reusable bags are sturdier than single-use bags. They are more comfortable to carry. They can be used for various outings, not limited to shopping.

Good for the Environment 

Few plastic bags are recycled.

• Anywhere from 0.3% to 0.5% of all bags end up being recycled.
• If left in a landfill, one single-use plastic bag can take anywhere from 20 – 1,000 years to degrade.

Scientists estimate that 245,000 tons of floating trash litter the ocean.

• This heap of trash includes five grocery bags per foot of coastline around the globe.
• According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, using one reusable bag for a single year can replace 300 to 700 disposable bags.

Good for the Economy

The U.S. goes through roughly 100 billion single-use shopping bags annually.

• This costs retailers roughly $4 billion.
• The state of California spends $428 million a year combating and clearing trash from its beaches.
• It costs $4,000 to process and recycle 1 ton of disposable plastic bags. $4,000
• The recycled product can then be sold for a meager $32.

Promoting the use of reusable bags will help cities in the long run.

• Dependence on foreign oil, which is needed in order to produce single-use plastic bags, can be cut.
• Suppliers can create an incentive program. This will also save the company money that would have been spent on single-use bags.

Marketing and Reusable Bags

The versatility of the reusable bag presents a plethora of opportunities for a company to:

• Create and support a brand identity.
• Encourage potential customers to associate the brand with positive environmental change, as well as a smartly-designed reusable bag.
• 34% of U.S. consumers own logoed bags.
• Create a bond with potential customers.
• Design the bags to be as fashionable as possible.
• Use specific-purpose bags to provide more function and a sharper message.
• #SavethePlanet

Creating a brand association with eco-friendliness says a lot to:

• Returning customers
• Potential customers
• Other businesses, including partners and B2B clients
• 5,983/bag
• Logoed bags generate more impressions in the U.S. and Canada than any other promotional item.
• Promotional products average only 0.6 cents per impression. That’s less cost per impression than television, magazines and newspapers.