Reusable shopping and tote bags: Can ecology and marketing go together? 

The “Green Deal” launched in 2019 by the European Union and the « renewable energy » chapter in the American Energy Policy Act (EPA), among other essential corrective measures, have precipitated the enactment of harsher no-single-use plastic policies. 

In response to more governments’ decisions to lower the environmental impact of traditional ways of consumption, businesses have had to adapt their strategy. The replacement of old single-use plastic bags with reusable ones has played a crucial part in that transition, not only for environmental sustainability but even more so for financial sustainability. How are these businesses able to combine ecology with marketing, however?

Reusable eco-friendly shopping bags 

While the concept has been around for nearly fifty years, matching effective environmental action and financial viability has never been so critical for enterprises. Recent stricter ecological policies have impacted all sectors of production, consequentially turning shopping bag manufacturing into an economic challenge of its own.

The supply of reusable, more eco-friendly bags is rich and varied, both in the materials used and the total carbon footprint involved in their manufacturing, as a result: woven and non-woven polypropylene bags, recycled tote bags, woven-fabric grocery bags, FSC paper bags, cotton-made bags, etc.

While it is a non-negligible investment for companies to make, as restructuring can prove costly, customers are not only more widely made aware of the importance of reusability, but, that way, the companies themselves can ensure a good brand image.

Moreover, bag materials sourced in an eco-friendly manner – such as cotton, for the sake of example – encourages producers to reevaluate the quality and sustainability of their crop production and manage them in a way that ensures:

. Seasonality;

. The use of natural soil;

. Biological insecticides;

. Crop rotation for soil preservation.

Cotton, our illustrative example of choice, which is nowadays a prevailing material in the manufacturing of reusable bags, proves sturdy and non-toxic, too.

Eco-friendly yet customizable reusable shopping bags 

Not only are newer generations of recycled bags less environmentally damaging, but they are fully customizable to fit the desired marketing goals of enterprises. Companies are now presented with the possibility of showcasing their ecological stance in a fashion that best matches their esthetics and brand message by getting their design printed onto their reusable ethically-sourced bags.

Through this powerful communication tool, companies can more visibly combine environmental action with practicality and efficaciously personalize their branded bags by adding:

. Their brand name and logo;

. Their address;

. Their phone number;

. Their website;

. Their social media.

Boosting brand image with reusable eco-friendly shopping bags 

While overloading a bag with overwhelming information is unproductive, focusing their communication on what activity sector and what core values and goals companies pursue is essential. Therefore, for companies to make investments in recycled bags worth their while, nothing beats the setting up of a proper marketing strategy, comprised of well-defined answers to:

. The goal behind the use of recycled bags;

. The primary target of such a campaign;

. The most sustainable distribution channel;

. The best types of bags to carry the brand message;

. The design properties these types of bags should have;

. Etc.

Depending on the company’s strategy and the kinds of bags they supply their customers with, temporary marketing operations may prove beneficial. Whenever sales draw near, for example, limited edition bags with targeted branding could be, gratuitously or not, handed over to shoppers. Impactful messages or inspiring, humorous, or one-of-a-kind quotes could better get the core message of the company across and draw attention more significantly.

How reusable bags can favorably improve the performance of a company 

As we have already seen, bettering brand image is a most-welcome boost for any company that wishes to transition toward reshaping its business practices by standing behind a core message to convey.

Because the central selling point of reusable bags is their durability and lowered carbon footprint, choosing to partner up with the right recycle bag supplier is essential to ensuring quality, brand consistency, and that all environmental parameters are in check upon manufacturing. Moreover, the longer a bag lasts, the more effectively a company can hope to spread its message and brand image to the public. When done right with the right awareness message, this long-term marketing strategy is an undeniably powerful means of appealing to a maximum of people.

We, at BK-Bags, have a wide variety of sturdy, reusable, and eco-friendly cotton, paper, polyester, non-woven, and woven PP shopping bags at the ready. Feel free to take a look!