There are several scenes in 2018’s Aquaman movie where the denizens of the sea are sending back all the garbage surface dwellers have tossed into the ocean. It’s a gut-wrenching series of images and, chances are, if you were to look closely, a lot of that garbage would be in the form of plastics, especially single-use plastic bags.
Here are some compelling facts from www.earthday.org that may make you think twice when reaching for that single-use plastic shopping bag the next time you’re in the grocery store:
- In 2016, world plastics production totaled around 335 million metric tons. Roughly half of annual plastic production is destined for a single-use product.
- It is estimated that 4 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide annually. Only 1% of plastic bags are returned for recycling.
- Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags annually. That’s about 307 bags per person! All that waste can be eliminated by switching to reusable shopping bags.
- A full 32% of the 78 million tons of plastic packaging produced annually is left to flow into our oceans; the equivalent of pouring one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute. This is expected to increase to two per minute by 2030 and four per minute by 2050. By 2050, this could mean there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans.
- Even when single-use plastics are sent to one of the 3,091 active landfills in the United States, they aren’t harmless. Loose plastics on the tops of landfills (especially bags) can be carried away by the wind. The best way to curb single-use plastic pollution is to reduce your personal plastic consumption!
Similarly, www.biologicaldiversity.org raises the following alarms about the impact single-use plastic shopping bags have on the environment (and marine environments in particular):
- The average American family takes home almost 1,500 plastic shopping bags a year. With only 1 percent of plastic bags returned for recycling each year, that means that the average family only recycles 15 bags a year and the rest ends up in landfills or as litter.
- It takes 500 (or more) years for a plastic bag to degrade in a landfill. Unfortunately, the bags don't break down completely but instead photo-degrade, becoming microplastics that absorb toxins and continue to pollute the environment or get swallowed by marine life. It is estimated that 100,000 marine animalsare killed by plastic bags annually.
Do Your Part
Whether you’re a retailer or a consumer, switching to reusable bags in place of single-use plastic bags is an easy way to do your part in helping keep the environment green. Every little bit helps.
- Companies that offer their customers reusable shopping bag show that they care, and it’s not only good for the environment, but for the corporate bottom line. A 2017 international study by global consumer goods company Unilever revealed that 1 out of 3 consumers now prefer to buy from brands they believe are doing social or environmental good.
- Consumers benefit because reusable bags (especially those given away by retailers) in the long run are cheaper to use than single-use plastic bags. Many states and municipalities have imposed extra fees for each plastic bag used (usually around 10 cents a bag, which adds up over time)—and many others are bound to follow suit.
- Reusable bags also help to reduce the mess and clutter of plastic bags, which either fill up storage closets or garbage cans, plus they tend to be sturdier than plastic or paper bags, which can fail/rip, spilling groceries and other important items to the floor or ground.
There’s No Reason to Wait
Right now, you can start doing your part for the environment and also help your customers send a positive, eco-friendly message to others.
Our custom branded bags make the perfect take-home gift, promotional item, or reusable tote for your store, venue, event, or organization. Add your logo, your colors, and your design to our recyclable and reusable eco-friendly bags to grab attention and make a lasting green impression on your patrons and everyone they encounter.
Belvedere Exclusive offers recycled polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) eco custom shopping bags:
- Made from recycled soda & water bottles
- 80% post-consumer materials
- 125+ reuses and they’re washable and PET-1 recyclable
- Meet all state and local “bag ban” requirements
- Printing options for your name and logo start at minimum orders of 10 cartons.
We also offer Polypropylene (PP) Nonwoven custom shopping bags:
- These are the lowest price FOB USA bags in the market!
- 125+ reuses and they’re washable and PP-5 recyclable
- Meet all state and local “bag ban” requirements
- Start at 85c or less per bag, minimum 1 shipping pallet.
We invite you to get a no-strings attached quote on our bags, which are already in use with many high-profile brands around the country.