Reusable Bags: They Save Money and are Good for the Environment

The growing use of reusable bags by retailers, ranging from the likes of local grocers to giant retailers such as Ikea, are industry trends that not only save stores and retailers money but that are good for the environment.

For years, large wholesale stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club, haven’t offered customers any bags at all. Shoppers there have either had to re-use boxes from the store that other merchandise arrived in, bring their own bags, or buy reusable bags from the retailer. While done primarily to minimize expenses so the stores could pass savings onto customers (in keeping with the nature of their being discount stores), the practice has warmed consumers in general to the idea of utilizing reusable bags.

Why This Matters

The Sierra Club's estimates that less than 5% of the 100 billion plastic bags used in the United States each year are recycled. That adds up to a lot of waste and a lot of plastic added to landfills and littering our waterways and roadsides. It’s bad for the environment and bad for marine life, who often ingest the discarded plastic.

The Sierra Club estimates that if every person in New York City were to use one less grocery bag per year, it would reduce waste by 5 million pounds and save $250,000 in disposal costs. Factor that across a country the size of the United States (with more than 300 million people) and it’s clear to see the impact of using reusable bags can be enormous.

Why Consumers Like Reusable Bags

Reusable bags . . .

• Tend to be larger than plastic, one-time use bags. Consumers can carry more stuff in one bag, saving on trips from the curb to the house, or to the fridge or pantry.
• Are sturdier than plastic or paper bags, which can fail/rip, spilling groceries and other important items to the floor or ground.
• Eliminate the mess and clutter of plastic bags, which either fill up storage closets or garbage cans.
• Enable consumers to do their part for the environment and to send a positive, eco-friendly message to others.
• Let consumers show others where they shop and the brands they love.
• Save consumers money. Some stores offer credits if customers use their reusable bags, or at the very least don’t charge them an extra fee for each plastic bag (while it may be only 10 cents a bag, the nominal fee adds up over time).

Why Retailers Like Reusable Bags

Reusable bags . . .

• Save stores money. Retailers don’t have to source, buy, warehouse, and dispense one-time use bags.
• Allow retailers to pass cost savings onto customers.
• Allow retailers to send an important environmentally-friendly message to consumers, many of whom decide where to shop based on whether the values of a particular retail establishment align with theirs.
• Imprinted with a company’s logo turns customers into brand ambassadors.

Eco-Friendly Solutions from Belvedere

Belvedere Exclusive is the premiere source for environmentally-friendly reusable tote bags, insulated cooler bags, canvas tote bags, and other related products. All of our products are recycled, recyclable, or biodegradable/compostable.

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.

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.

Let’s Meet at the Las Vegas Gift Show!

This week, Belvedere Exclusive will be at the 2018 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show, September 25 to 28, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The nation’s largest souvenir and gift show features more 1,300 manufacturers and exhibits showcasing ways for retailers to differentiate themselves with a wide range of imprinted souvenirs and giveaways, including high-end goods, apparel, and new innovations. If you’d like to connect at the Gift Show, contact Paul June by email at pjune@barrelomonkeyz.com or call me at (310) 503-1149.

Get a Quote

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.