CustomEarthPromos - Eco Blog US

Camping is one of the best ways to escape the daily grind and relax. Enjoying nature is a favorite pastime for many, but it’s important not to damage the environment in the process. To make sure we can all enjoy the beauty of nature for a long time to come, here are some sustainable camping essentials! 1. Sustainable Food Containers Reduce your carbon footprint whilst on the road with eco-friendly food containers. Choosing a material like metal or wheat straw is a great way to practice sustainable camping. Plastics are often non-renewable, so recycled containers such as wheat straw containers and utensils are better for the environment in the long-term. As a bonus, they biodegrade more easily, so are less harmful to wildlife once finally disposed of. 2. Reusable Insulated Mugs Enjoying a good view is better with a good beverage. Reusable mugs are perfect for saving space in your backpack whilst also being sustainable. Choosing a large, insulated mug will keep either hot or cold drinks at the ideal temperature when sitting outside. Whether it’s a cool beer in the summer or a warm cup of cocoa in the winter months, reusable mugs have got you covered. Opting for a mug with a lid will also help reduce spills when driving along bumpy roads! 3. Eco-Friendly Dish Soap Some daily chores are unavoidable, even when away from home. Washing your dishes is no exception to this, as you don’t want to be packing your bags with dirty food containers at the end of your trip. Eco-friendly dish soaps can help protect the environment as they’re made from natural ingredients. This means you won’t be putting nasty chemicals into local water sources whilst cleaning up! 4. Recycled Cooler Bags Take your sustainable camping trip to the next level with reusable cooler bags. Keeping your lunch cold when spending the day outdoors is no easy feat. People often use polystyrene boxes to insulate their food and drinks, but this is a single-use material that’s harmful to the environment when it degrades. There’s a huge range of reusable cooler bags made from recycled materials that can keep your snacks cool whilst protecting the planet. The best thing is that they come with handles for easy carrying whilst hiking. 5. Eco-Friendly Sleeping Bags After a long day of adventuring, curling up into a cozy sleeping bag is essential. Unfortunately, a lot of sleeping bags are made from materials such as non-renewable plastics or unethically sourced down or feathers. Synthetic fabrics, often used in waterproof outer layers, are usually non-renewable and non-recyclable, which means they’re contributing to the plastic crisis over time. These can also be harmful to the environment when they’ve finally reached the end of their life as they end up in landfill. Thankfully, some companies now offer sustainable sleeping bags, such as ones filled with recycled fabrics to keep both you and the planet well cared for.

Cotton tote bags are one of the hottest accessories around. What’s even better is that they’re a great sustainable alternative to bags made from other materials. Read on to find out why your business should start using cotton tote bags as a promotional tool! Cotton tote bags are eco-friendly Cotton is a sustainable material as it’s a natural plant-based fiber. It’s both renewable and biodegradable, and can be harvested easily. Cotton typically takes around 6 months to grow, which means it’s a readily-available resource. Many cotton farmers now take an eco-friendly approach to their farming practices, choosing to grow the crop organically. This means that there are no pesticides or harmful fertilizers used that could cause damage to the surrounding land, animals or people. Because cotton tote bags last for years, they reduce throwaway culture and excess waste. Opting for cotton bags over single-use plastic will appeal to eco-conscious buyers. They’re durable and reusable Cotton tote bags are more durable than many other reusable bag options. This means that your customers will continue to use them (and promote your brand) for longer. Cotton is a fabric that’s not easily stressed. It can withstand high and low temperatures, and the strength of cotton actually increases when wet! Over time, cotton doesn’t lose its appeal, instead developing a gentle lived-in feel. Because of the strength of cotton, many people choose cotton totes to reliably carry their groceries. Cotton bags are easy to print on Because cotton is a natural fiber, it absorbs ink really well. When you choose custom cotton tote bags, you know that your logo or artwork is going to look incredible. Whether opting for a dyed cotton tote bag (they come in a range of colors!) or a natural finish, it’s sure to make an impact. What’s more, designs printed on cotton will be more resistant to wear over time than we often see with plastic. Fitting with fashion Cotton tote bags are timeless, but still fit with seasonal fashion trends. Customers are more likely to carry cotton totes on an everyday basis than they are with reusable plastic. When choosing a bag for advertising, cotton is going to spread your brand the furthest. The versatility of cotton bags means they are suitable for everyone, regardless of gender or age. The comfortable, slouchy vibe of a cotton tote effortlessly enhances any outfit. These bags are perfect for both summer beach days and cold-weather coffee dates. Passers-by are sure to take notice of your brand’s logo! Structured bag options are available For stores that want customers to be able to take home larger, heavier items, cotton tote bags with added structure are available. You can choose an option that has thicker fabric and handles, giving extra strength. In addition to this, a bottom insert will keep the bag’s shape taut to reduce ...

A new bill in California aims to reduce plastic waste and pollution. The law requires that all packaging in California is recyclable or compostable by 2023. What’s more, CA is rolling out a state-wide recycling programme to increase recycling of single-use plastic to 65%. So what is the plastic problem and why do we need this bill? The Plastic Problem The US contributes to more plastic pollution than any other country in the world, recycling less than 10% of all plastic used. Each year, the US uses roughly a billion plastic bags. When you think about all of the plastic packaging, straws, water bottles and coffee cups that we throw out each day, it’s easy to see how plastic waste piles up. The plastic waste that isn’t recycled gets sent to landfill. Plastics can take thousands of years to decompose. This means they take up a lot of space on our planet for a long time. Much of the plastic from landfill finds its way to the ocean, which is harmful to marine life. Because plastic is not a natural material, it never fully decomposes. Instead, plastic waste breaks down into microplastics. Microplastic particles infiltrate water systems, and are harmful to both people and animals. California alone spends $500 million each year cleaning plastic from its oceans, rivers and beaches. Plastic Waste Bill SB 54 The new plastic waste bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom states that, by 2032, at least 65% of all plastic in the state of California must be recycled. Bringing businesses and environmental groups together, the bill aims to tackle the plastic problem at the source instead of focusing on individual consumers. Companies producing or distributing plastic that is not recyclable may face c. The new plastic waste law will allow for fines of up to $50,000 per day for those not complying. With this new plastic waste law, California is setting up a fund of $500 million per year to try to compensate for the plastic damage that has already been done. This will involve environmental projects to push forward for a greener USA. What this means for your business Whilst California is leading the US in its attempts to tackle the plastic problem, it’s likely that other states will follow suit. If your state issues a ban on non-recyclable plastic, you could face financial consequences for non-compliance. Thankfully, a wide range of available recyclable plastic products make it easy to fit the requirements of the new plastic waste law. How can my company comply? Small changes make a big difference. By switching from single-use to recyclable plastic bags, your stores will dramatically reduce the amount of non-recyclable plastic being distributed. Options such as Recycled RPET Bags are 100% recyclable. They’re also cost-effective and have the benefit of promoting brand loyalty. Other ways to tackle the plastic waste problem include: Restaurants and hospitality can switch single-use plastic straws for paper ...

You don’t turn up to a convention without expecting to take home far too many freebies! Being part of a convention is a great way to reach new customers, and convention giveaways mean your brand will spread far beyond the event. Attendees will take your promo items home and use them in their daily lives. From branded pens that will take up residency in a desk organiser until the end of time, to fun little push-pop games for stressful moments, promo items are a cost-effective way to advertise your company in new places! When ordering large quantities of convention giveaways, you can minimize your environmental impact, and reduce throwaway culture, with eco-friendly promo items. Read on for 4 low-cost eco-friendly promo items for convention giveaways: 1. Custom Recycled Pens Pens are the ultimate cost-effective promo item. Using pens as a convention giveaway is a great way to ensure your brand will go with the attendees throughout their lives, acting as a constant reminder of your company. Your branded pens will be what they reach for whilst on the phone, what they grab to take notes at their desk, or what they lend to a stranger who needs one! Opting for a recycled pen option minimizes your company’s environmental impact and gives a good impression to those visiting your booth. Custom recycled pens also come in a wide range of colors to match your logo! 2. Recycled Custom Journals Offering custom journals as convention giveaways will place your brand on the desk of anybody who takes one home. Notebooks are something that everybody needs, and that nobody likes to throw away. By creating a colorful notepad customized with your logo or artwork, you can make a lasting impression. You can choose from a wide range of designs and color options with your recycled custom journals. Many recycled notepads also use fully recycled materials, from the inner paper to the metal bindings. 3. Promo Push Pop Game These fun little stress-relievers have been ‘popping up’ everywhere recently. Custom push pop games make great convention giveaways! They’re something out of the ordinary that the inner-child in everyone will struggle to resist taking home. Push pop games are easy to clip onto a keychain, or can sit on a desk for easy stress-relief. The best thing is that these can be customized with your brand name or logo, getting your company name into new hands. There won’t be a single one of these left at your booth! 4. Seed Paper Business Cards Everyone needs to hand out business cards at a convention, but have you ever thought about the amount of paper that goes into producing them? What’s more, at the end of the event, all business cards can tend to blur into one. By handing out seed paper business cards with your convention giveaways, you’ll be sure to make an impression and stand out from the crowd. Seed paper business cards can later be turned into beautiful flowering plants that will pose as a happy reminder ...

Make the most of summer with eco-friendly cooler bags! With people flocking to lakes or beaches this season, customers everywhere are looking for ways to keep their drinks and snacks cool! Fully customizable cooler bags with your logo will keep your brand at the forefront of everyone’s mind whilst they enjoy the sunshine. How do cooler bags work? To keep food and drink cold, cooler bags use an insulated lining. Insulation is a non-conductive material that stops heat passing through. Eco-friendly cooler bags also keep food warm using the same technology. The only difference is that the insulated lining will prevent heat from getting out rather than into the bag! Cooler bags are much more flexible than traditional coolers, and can still keep food and drink cold for long periods of time. They’re easy to carry and lightweight, and can carry a range of food and drinks depending on the size of the bag. Why are cooler bags eco-friendly? Eco-friendly cooler bags are often made with recycled materials such as polypropylene (PP) plastic. This sustainable method of manufacturing means we aren’t using precious non-renewable materials. The outer lining is easy to wipe clean, allowing for reuse time and time again. As these cooler bags are designed to last, they help reduce the amount of plastic waste that goes into landfill and the ocean. Wholesale cooler bags for grocery stores Stocking your grocery store with eco-friendly cooler bags allows your customers to get their chilled goods home safely. Encourage them to pick one up on their way into the store, so that they can spend longer browsing the aisles without their food defrosting. This means your customers will spend longer (and likely more money) in-store, and less time worrying. Alternatively, place eco-friendly cooler bags at your checkouts so your customers can take their time getting home without worrying about their frozen items melting! The perfect summer promotional item! When the mercury rises, people flock to outdoor public spaces. Create a customized cooler bag with your logo on it for cost-effective advertising this season! Handing out cooler bags on university campuses is a sure-fire way to get your brand invited to every summer party. Eco-friendly cooler bags are also great for promotional giveaways to launch new stores or products. In the warm weather, people will become walking advertisements for your company by carrying your cooler bags with them on every day trip. Eco-friendly cooler bags will also show your customers that you care about the environment and societal issues. They’ll help ensure everyone’s favorite summer spots stay spotless! Nobody wants to go to a beach littered with single-use plastic. Single-use plastic carrier bags are a big problem where litter is concerned. They also often wash up on shore from the ocean. Nobody will leave a well-designed cooler bag, such as one with a zip-closing lid, on the ground as trash. Help the ...

It wouldn’t be summer without sitting in the sunshine, sipping an ice-cold drink through a straw. Whilst we’re enjoying ourselves it’s easy to ignore the wider impact such a simple action can have on the environment. Eco-friendly straws mean you can enjoy your favorite summer drinks without contributing to the plastic problem! Why are eco-friendly straws better than plastic straws? Plastic straws are often only used once and then thrown away. The US uses around 500 million plastic straws per day, in bars and restaurants as well as the home. Whilst a single plastic straw might not seem that big of a problem, looking at the big picture makes it easier to see how harmful straws can be to the planet. Eco-friendly straws are a great option to help both humans and the earth. The problem with plastic straws Our oceans gain over 15 million tons of plastic each year. Experts predict that in just 3 years from now, the weight of plastic in the ocean will equal one third of the weight of fish. Marine life can confuse plastic in the ocean with food, which seriously harms fish, turtles, aquatic mammals, and seabirds. Plastic will lodge in the nose, throat and stomachs of these animals, causing them to get sick or die. Plastic straws are made from petroleum oil, which is a non-renewable material. As there are finite amounts of oil on the earth, straw manufacturing is taking up valuable resources for something that most of us use as a small luxury. When plastic degrades, it breaks into tiny particles called ‘microplastics’. Microplastics cause problems not only for sea life but also for humans, through the food chain and water supplies. Eco-friendly straws prevent these problems caused by plastic straws, and have some additional benefits too! The benefits of eco-friendly straws Eco-friendly straws are typically made from stainless steel or paper. If you’re a business, such as a bar or restaurant, paper straws are a great throw-away option to offer your customers whilst reducing plastic waste. They’re low-cost and will show your guests that your business cares about the environment. Stainless steel straws are the perfect eco-friendly straw for giveaways and promotional items. They’re dishwasher friendly, so your customers and guests can hygienically reuse them indefinitely. You can customize these straws with either metallic colors or colorful silicon tips to match your brand. With personalized pouches, giving away eco-friendly straw sets at events means you can get your brand out to a wider audience whilst encouraging sustainability. Many cities in the US have already issued a ban on plastic straws, and it’s likely that more will follow suit along the Race to Zero. Consumers today often vote with their wallets when it comes to environmental issues. Getting on board with eco-friendly straws now means that your business can stay in the favor of the eco-conscious, driving business whilst sending a positive message!

In a world of growing environmental concerns, making the switch to reusable bags is more important than ever. Single use plastic bags negatively impact the environment, and paper bags may not be as beneficial as you think! Read on to find out how making the switch to reusable bags can help both the environment and your business… The problem with single use plastic bags Non-renewable source Single use plastic bags are made from petroleum. Petroleum oil is a fossil fuel, which means there is a finite (non-renewable) source of it in the world. To process petroleum into plastic bags also creates greenhouse gasses, contributing to climate change. Not reusable or recyclable Single use plastic isn't reusable. The thin material breaks easily, and clog up recycling machines. Harmful to marine life We often throw away single use bags after one use (hence the name). This means there’s more plastic in landfill or the ocean. When this plastic ends up in the ocean, it can kill marine life who mistake it for food. Reusable bags prevent this from happening! Litter Single use plastic bags are so lightweight that they’re often blown out of trash cans, unlike reusable bags. We’ve all heard Katy Perry’s famous lyrics about plastic bags drifting through the wind, or seen the American Beauty scene with one flying through the air. As ‘beautiful’ as Jake Gyllenhaal might find it, clean streets are far more appealing! Why should you avoid paper bags? Whilst paper bags might be recyclable, they don’t prove to be very reusable. Paper bags aren’t waterproof and break easily. Trees are a non-renewable source, taking many years to grow. What’s more, bleaching paper bags with chemicals is harmful to the environment when they degrade. Why should you switch to reusable bags? Recycling and reusing Reusable bags are mostly made from recycled plastic, reducing waste. You can reusable them for a long time as they’re much stronger than single use plastic. Your customers won’t experience the dreaded experience of their groceries breaking whilst carrying them home, and your store will spend less money over time purchasing bags! Many supermarkets have recycling schemes for when reusable bags reach the end of their life, which contributes to less waste in landfill. Renewable sources Reusable bags can be made from renewable plant sources such as cotton or jute bags. These plants are grown and harvested very quickly, unlike trees. Meet consumer demand Consumers are becoming more eco-conscious, and are “voting with their wallets” on environmental issues. They’re more likely to shop at a store that offers reusable bags, as it shows the company cares about important social issues. Better appearance! Reusable bags can be customized in a range of colors and designs. With so many options, you can find a reusable bag that suits your brand. These are going to look far more appealing in your stores!

Don’t let your energy bills skyrocket when the thermometer does this summer. Here are some useful eco-friendly tips for saving energy whilst keeping cool this season. 1. Replace your air filter Whilst upgrading your A/C is the best way to keep it running as energy-efficient as possible, this can be costly to do. A much simpler way of making sure your A/C is efficient is to frequently replace the air filter. Air filters can get clogged up with dust and pet hair, which gets in the way of the cool air that your air conditioner is trying to pump into the room. This means your A/C is going to have to work harder and for longer to cool down a room. Changing the air filter can reduce energy usage by 15% to help you with saving energy in the summer. 2. Closing blinds = Saving energy If you have South or Western-facing windows, the sun will have a greenhouse effect and cause the inside of your room to heat up. Prevent unnecessary heat from getting into your home (whilst saving energy used by your A/C) by keeping blinds or curtains on this side of the house closed during the day. To make sure the room is still bright, you can open the blinds for windows facing other directions. You can use sheer curtains on sunny windows, allowing light through whilst reflecting heat. 3. Lower temperature washing You likely already know about saving energy by washing clothes at a lower temperature. Not only is this more eco-friendly, it also means your boiler and machine will emit less heat into your home! It’s also worth considering washing yourself at a lower temperature, too! Taking a cool shower can help with saving energy in the summer, whilst keeping you feeling fresh. A cool shower uses less energy and doesn’t warm up the rest of your home like a steamy one would! 4. Spend more time outside to save energy! Getting out of the house means you can turn off your appliances, saving energy by simply not using any! Just think about all of the electricity you use when spending the day at home glued to a screen. Spending time outside means you’ll reduce overall usage, whilst preventing your home from being heated by electronics, putting more strain on your A/C. To help keep cool outside in the summer months, cooler bags are an essential! They help with saving energy through insulated materials that don’t require power. Wholesale cooler bags are perfect for sports teams, school kids, or even for office workers to bring their own lunches. Your business can make the most of the heat by stocking up on reusable wholesale cooler bags this season. Encourage people to spend more time outside and start saving energy in the summer!

With the rise in awareness around environmental issues today, many of us are making green lifestyle changes. Some of us now opt for organic food choices, have switched out single-use plastic shopping bags for reusable totes, or even drive an electric vehicle to reduce our carbon footprint. The thought of eco-friendly exercise isn't one that comes up often, but is worth exploring. Making even small adjustments to our daily lives can have a big difference, and you can apply your eco-friendly ambitions to your fitness regime, too. Choose an eco-friendly exercise Large gyms can have a negative impact on the environment, due to their high energy consumption and the fact that people have to drive to get to them. Many of these gyms are open 24/7, which means all of their electronic machines, lights and music are, too. Ditching the gym will not only save you money in membership fees, but could also help save the environment. Eco-friendly exercises like hiking or running don’t require any energy usage except your own body’s. Choosing to go for a hike or a run also exposes you to nature, which has multiple benefits. Numerous studies show that spending time outside has a positive effect on our mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and enhancing our brain activity. Getting out amongst natural beauty encourages you to continue on your eco-friendly journey, by showing you what you’re working so hard to protect. You can even try out Sweden’s hottest eco-friendly exercise: plogging! This is where you pick up trash whilst jogging or hiking, improving both yourself and your environment. Improvise with equipment There are plenty of things around the house that can help you make more eco-friendly choices surrounding exercise. Try using a sturdy chair or coffee table for tricep dips, or using a wall for standing push-ups! Make your own free-weights by filling reusable bottles with water or sand. If you need something heavier, fill a tote bag with bags of flour or tins. Make sustainable choices Eco-friendly activewear brands have grown in popularity in recent years. It’s now easier than ever to minimize your environmental footprint by making conscious clothing choices. Fast fashion is notoriously bad for the environment, leading to around 37 million tonnes of fiber waste each year. Activewear goes through a workout every time you do, stretching and becoming misshapen over time. Cheap options often won’t last very long, which means the synthetic fibers that they’re typically made from will end up in landfill. Opting for an eco-friendly exercise brand is both cost-effective and sustainable. Carry your eco-friendly exercise efforts through every step of your workout by choosing reusable sports bottles as opposed to disposable plastic ones. Personal trainers and gyms can make an eco-friendly impact by offering these to their clients. Refilling water bottles saves tonnes of single-use plastic from landfill.

Latest news shows that the Biden administration has made a push for growth to the US solar energy industry. New developments are seeing solar projects get back on track. This action lines up with the US’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2035. What's halted solar energy growth in the US? We've seen limited growth of solar energy in the US recently due to ongoing investigations into trade-law violations. China dominates the market for solar materials, as the country can sell at much lower costs than elsewhere. Many of the large-scale solar energy projects across the US source their materials cheaply from China to keep expenses down. Cheaply importing materials from China means US companies in the Solar Industry suffer. It's impossible for them to match prices for products such as silicon. In 2011, the US imposed tariffs on cheap solar energy materials from China. This was to help support US companies compete in the market. Unfortunately, many Chinese manufacturers then set-up companies in other parts of Southeast Asia to avoid paying these tariffs. Investigations into companies in Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand have halted the growth of US solar energy projects by preventing the import of cheap materials. New pause on solar tariffs: what does this mean? On Monday 6th June, the Biden administration announced that they’re pausing all tariffs on imports for solar energy materials. Whilst this means that solar energy projects across the US can continue as planned (with the aim of providing enough electricity to power an additional 1 million homes by the end of the year), it also comes with a side dish of controversy. Where tariffs are no longer an issue, the companies who are under investigation for breaking US trade-law are getting a ‘free-pass’ to sell at low prices to the US. This is the opposite of what US companies within the Solar Industry are asking for. These companies would instead like to see tougher regulations around cheap imports of solar materials. However, the administration has also implemented the Defense Production Act toward solar energy for the first time. This means US companies in the solar energy field (such as REC Silicon and Ferroglobe) are getting funding and power to increase manufacturing. In turn, this will increase the amount of solar materials made in the US. How other industries can join the movement The US is determined to reduce carbon emissions significantly over the next 10 years. As such, it’s useful to look at ways businesses outside of the solar energy sector can join the movement. Through sustainable pathways, businesses selling products across the US can help reduce their carbon footprint. One example is using recycled plastic goods, such as offering customers reusable bags instead of single-use plastic. Another option is encouraging environmental growth and diversity by switching over to seed paper for bulk items like product tags.