CustomEarthPromos - Eco Blog US

With every environmentalist supporting Mayor Rahm Emanuel's recommendation of a ban on plastic bags in all stores in Chicago, there are people who suggest taking this ban a step further. They suggest imposing a fee on paper bags as well, which are only slightly less hazardous to the environment than plastic bags. Will the Ban Be Effective without a Fee on Paper Bags? A ban on single use plastic bags is something that Chicago needed for the longest time. Though these bags come cheap and are convenient to use, they pose a great hazard to the environment. They take years to decompose. They are very lightweight and get carried away for miles with even the slightest breeze, littering every possible street and park. They also clog storm water drains and then a lot of money needs to be spent to fish them out of there. They fly to rivers and get carried to the sea and kill sea animals that choke on these bags. Even other animals like calves and lambs on farms have died of choking on plastic bags. The money spent on removing these bags from trees, unclogging drains and then transporting these plastic bags to landfills is an unnecessary expenditure which can be avoided if people consciously stop using these bags. This ban on plastic bags would definitely serve the purpose of reducing unwanted plastic waste in Chicago. But just a ban on plastic bags would mean that people would simply switch to paper bags, which would be the same- imagine the number of trees being cut down to make all those bags. So it is imperative that a fee be imposed on paper bags. A small, 10-cent fee would not hurt anyone much, but would still be enough to remind people to get their own bags when they go out shopping. Maybe that would encourage people to use more environment-friendly options like custom-printed totes. Custom Printed Totes Are a More Eco-Friendly Option Instead of Paper Bags With a ban on plastic bags and a fee on paper bags, it would be best for people to start using reusable bags - they are a better option than both, anyway. They are sturdy and come in all possible colors, sizes and patterns. They look very trendy and stylish and could be your personal style statement. Retailers and store owners should do their bit by encouraging customers to bring reusable bags and distributing custom printed totes to their customers as a reward for adopting environment-friendly practices. People need to co-operate with administrators and take responsible steps to save the planet from plastic menace. Source

Here is a brand which offers you all kinds of detergents - dish washing, laundry and oxygen brightener, which are all eco-friendly. Not only that, even the packaging is environment friendly. What more could you ask for? If you think this is too good to be true, read further to know the entire story. Eco-Friendly Packaging with New Recyclable Detergent Pack Savvy Green is the story of two women who did not want to compromise when offering eco-friendly detergents to conscious buyers. So they were extremely particular about the packaging of their detergents. This is how the idea of eco-friendly packaging was born. The packaging material they use not only blocks moisture more efficiently than a regular cardboard box, but is also recyclable. The laundry pouches are made of high-density polyethylene. These bags are lightweight, easy to ship and store and above all, can be reused and recycled with other recyclable plastic bags. The total package deal is about green, keeping with the name of the brand. Savvy Green detergent is totally biodegradable and its packaging is recyclable. If your community accepts flexible recyclable packaging curbside, you can drop your detergent bags there. Or else you can check online and find the one of the drop-off points closest to you. Savvy Green detergent bags are different from regular detergent bags - they are among the best eco-friendly promotional items you will come across. Its packaging completes the message of the product. The detergent is very different from the regular synthetic cleaning products, which you find almost everywhere. The detergent bag, unlike a cardboard box, keeps the detergent from turning into a clumpy mess. At the same time, unlike any other detergent pouch, it is partly-made of recycled material and is completely recyclable. You can reseal the bag after every use and once the product is finished, you can dispose of the bag like other recyclable bags. Eco-Friendly Promotional Items: Using Them the Right Way This is one of the many inspiring stories we have all around us. If each one of us tries and does his/her bit, we can surely make this planet a cleaner and greener place for our children to live. Making use of eco-friendly promotional items and publicizing them as much as possible is our responsibility towards our future generations. Let us all join hands and pledge to make these small changes in our lives and switch to organic living. Items like Savvy Green detergent bags are here to pave the way for more such eco-friendly products. Source

You might have marveled at magicians taking out rabbits from their hats, but did you know you can take out money from your reusable bags? Well, not exactly, but every time you carry a reusable bag while shopping, you do save money by not paying extra for the plastic bags offered by the stores. It is understandable that you may forget to carry one at times. What if there was something that could always remind you to carry a reusable bag? Surprisingly, Shopping Bags Solutions claims to have the answer to your problem. SBS has come up with reusable bags, wherein you get paid for remembering to carry the bag. Wondering how? Here is the answer. What Is Special About the SBS Bag? Chandler Hadraba, the man behind the bag, explains that it comes with a patent pending external pocket, meant for storing all your gift cards, discount coupons, rewards, special offers and so on. The bags also give the users access to the incentives offered at ShoppingBagSolutions.com. So, every time you carry the bag, you get to avail the money saving offers. Forgetting the bag means missing out on the incentives. Isn't that an innovative way of making you carry wholesale reusable bags? What's more, the bags are produced by US veterans from Made in America, giving them the 'local' tag. A few bags testers were recently given out to some shoppers in California and they were all praises for the bags. One shopper said that he wasn't aware of the concept of digital coupons and thanked SBS for pointing him in the right direction. Another person mentioned that she previously used to throw away all the coupons and discount offers, but now positively stores them in the SBS bags and makes the most the offers. With the SBS bag in your hands, you also do not need any more useless apps for reminding you to carry reusable bags while shopping. Shop and Save Money with Wholesale Reusable Bags An increasing number of Californians are being made aware of the importance of using wholesale reusable bags instead of plastic ones. Reusable bags are not just safer and environment-friendly, but also help in carrying a larger amount of groceries. You can wash the bags after a couple of uses and reuse them for a long time, unlike plastic bags which tear away after one or two uses. Source

The next time you go out to run some errands, make sure you are not just carrying your wallet, but also some reusable bags. That is because not having reusable bags for carrying your groceries would mean paying extra for the store-provided bag. Yes, the plastic bag ban will soon be making it's way in Palm Springs. So get into the eco-friendly habit of carrying reusable bags when out for shopping, otherwise you may end up paying the bag fee. Shoppers Will Have to Pay Extra for Bags After the Plastic Bag Ban The city council recently voted in the favor of passing a ban on plastic bags in the city, bringing an end to the shopper's convenience of availing bags from the store while checking out. Shoppers will now have to pay a fine of 10 cents for using the paper bags offered at the stores. Though this move is meant to encourage people into bringing their own reusable bags while shopping, the ban is getting mixed reactions from Palm Springs residents. Most of the shoppers in the city do not have the habit of going shopping with reusable bags. While some are ready to make the sustainable shift, there are some who are unhappy with it. Bobby Westvrooke is one such unhappy resident who is complaining about the extra charge on bags. He feels it is understandable that the authorities want to prevent the use of plastic bags in the city, but implying extra charge on availing store-offered bags is not the solution to it. He added that he has a big family so his shopping needs are always a little higher than the average families. He would need around 25-30 reusable bags to carry his groceries if he stopped using the bags offered by the stores. After the bag ban, he will also lose that option because availing bags would add to his bill. Not all the shoppers in the city feel the same, though. Some are happy with the ban and think the fee will keep reminding people to carry some reusable bags with them while shopping. Publicizing the Latest Plastic Bag Ban with Promotional Reusable Bags The residents may take some time to get used to shopping with reusable bags, but environmental organizations and local businesses can make it a little easy for them. Both for-profit and non-profit organizations can come together and offer promotional reusable bags with eco-friendly messages printed over them. This can help to some extent in inculcating the habit among shoppers who aren't used to carrying reusable bags. Source

You might have heard of eco-friendly food stores, furniture, fabrics and materials, but have you ever heard of an eco-friendly childcare center? Well, that is exactly what Kelly and Jeremy Belot came up with last year in December. Wondering how exactly this childcare center is different from the traditional ones? Let's find out. What Makes Menomonee Valley's Tiny Green Trees Different? All the eco-friendly, busy parents in Menomonee Valley have another thing to look forward to. Tiny Green Trees, the environment friendly childcare center, gives you the opportunity to teach your kids a thing or two about the environment and its preservation. If you have always wanted your kids to learn some sustainable habits, but you weren't sure how to teach them, Tiny Green Trees may just be the solution to your problem. You can leave your children at the eco-friendly care center and when you take them back home, they may even give you a few tips learned at the center, to go green yourself! The childcare center was started by a couple whose aim was to teach practical and sustainable life skills to the little ones, apart from looking after them in the absence of their parents. When Kelly and Jeremy were themselves looking for a childcare option, they stumbled upon the idea of creating their own, but with a twist. They thought that it will be a great opportunity to teach the little ones a few basic about the nature and its protection to make way for eco-conscious citizens. That is how Tiny Green Trees came into existence. At the childcare center, they stress on encouraging healthy eating habits among the children and at the same time guides them about their role in preserving the environment. The childcare center is open for children in the age group of six months to six years. It offers both full day and half day services. Parents in Menomonee Valley are quite happy with this initiative and feel it is a practical way to look after the kids as well as teach them something valuable. Menomonee Valley Using Eco-Friendly Promotional Items to Popularize Green Alternatives Opening an eco-friendly childcare center was Kelly and Jeremy's way of giving back to the environment. In the same way everyone can do their bit to save the planet. On an individual level, people can begin with giving up on plastic bags, saving energy, opting for organic food and so on. Businesses too can show their concern for environment by offering eco-friendly promotional items, which can help in spreading awareness about green habits among people. Source

Walmart at North Attleboro has joined MyEco, a program that works towards local schools earning some extra money when customers bring their own reusable bags, reducing plastic bag consumption. This initiative could help local schools earn nearly $20,000. At the same time, it will also help reducing the plastic bag nuisance. What Is MyEco Program at Walmart? MyEco is an initiative driven by the community. It works on the principle of partnership between stores and customers, both encouraging each other to reduce plastic bag usage. Working together, they are able to achieve remarkable results. When shoppers bring their own reusable bags, they don't require any bag - paper or plastic - from the stores. The savings made on the plastic bag are then turned into cash donations which are given away to schools or non-profit organizations chosen by the customers themselves. More shoppers bringing reusable bags equals to more saving and more donations to schools and charities. This partnership helps people earn more money for charities they support as well as reduce trash overload in the landfills. Walmart has agreed to participate in this novel program. Customers can use the MyEco app on their cellphones and earn two cents for every $5 they spend here. This money will go to parent-teacher organizations of local schools, charities or non-profit organizations like Keep Attleboro Beautiful. The program will be formally launched on April 22, Earth Day, when a QR code display will come up at the stores participating in the program, including Walmart. Customers, when making purchases, will need to scan this QR code on their cellphones. This program could become a huge success in motivating people to begin using custom printed reusable bags which are not only trendy and stylish but also help people reduce plastic bag usage and contribute to their favorite causes at the same time. Walmart Puts Emphasis on Custom Printed Reusable Bags Programs like MyEco can help cities reduce plastic bag usage considerably. They offer customers as well as stores a win-win situation. More and more retail stores and supermarkets should participate in such programs to help reduce the use of plastic bags as well as donate to local schools with support and approval from customers. There are many such initiatives in place, but go unnoticed or meet failure due to lack of public support or shortage of funds. With huge names like Walmart joining the cause, many other stores and retailers might be willing to lend their support to save the planet. Source

Increasing number of people are realizing the importance of building a home, that not only suits their needs and preferences, but also helps in environmental protection and preservation. By making your home eco-friendly, you're too can play a vital role in creating a greener future. Turn Your Home Eco-Friendly Here are six simple steps to turn your home into a sustainable one. Large Windows Installing large windows allow you to cut down on electricity bills because they permit natural light to enter the house. You won't have to turn on the fans or air conditioners as large windows will allow breeze in, and provide natural air circulation and ventilation. Also, let's not forget that beautiful view. Wall Insulation Insulating the walls of your home can reduce your electricity bills, as well as conserve the environment, because it automatically keeps your home warm or cool depending on the weather conditions and also protects your house from harsh weather. Artificial Grass Compared to real grass, an artificial lawn not only looks aesthetically pleasing, but also requires less money and effort to maintain. It also helps conserve water as it doesn't require constant watering like a real lawn does. Green Roof Apart from making your house look beautiful, a green roof benefits the environment. It reduces heat, naturally insulates your home and prevents accumulation of rainwater on your roof. Eco-Friendly Pool Although it might be expensive, an eco-friendly pool will not only protect the environment, but will also give your family a great way to relax. It does not contain harsh chemicals, like chlorine, that are usually present in regular swimming pools. Its filtration system is designed to make it eco-friendly. Solar Panels Installing solar panels in your home can save you the electricity bills, conserve power and utilize solar energy for all your electrical requirements. Sustainability with Eco-Friendly Promotional Items People can resort to using eco-friendly promotional items if they're unwilling to make big sustainable changes to their home. Businesses promote them to show their eco-friendly side to their customers and to teach them to go organic. Some popular eco-friendly items that people are resorting to, are: Solar candles, rechargeable batteries and energy saving bulbs. Cloth napkins and biodegradable garden pots. Reusable water bottles and chopsticks. Companies can also encourage their employees to use the eco-friendly promotional items which, in turn, will build their goodwill, promote their business and encourage environmentalism. Source

The Supervisory Board of Monterey County is reconsidering a previously approved plan to conduct an environmental review on a countywide plastic bag ban. The state has proposed a legislation to ban plastic bag use in grocery, convenience and drug stores, which is expected to come into force by September 1. County Thinking over the Best Option Since the chances of a statewide bag ban are high, the County Board is reconsidering its ban. The proposed state ban will disallow the use of plastic bags in grocery and convenience stores, including drug stores. It will also impose a 10 percent fee on reusable bags made from recycled plastic or paper. Some retailers would be exempt from this legislation. The county board has been presented with three options. The first option involves employing an environment specialist and performing an EIR (Environment Impact Review). This would allow the board county and neighboring cities to maintain control over the proposal. Also, the state legislation would have to pass a local ordinance, preferably before September 1, a failure in which would result in a loss of $50,000 for the county, and discourage cities to participate and fund the EIR. The second option requires the board to hire a consultant to make ordinances for the local cities and county, through voluntarily conducted research and findings. This option would be less expensive, and will help maintain local control without having to wait for the statewide ban on September 1. The third option would be for the county board to wait for the enactment of the statewide ban, which would be consistent and cost-free, but would disallow local control and lead to confusion regarding the exemptions as per the state legislation. Arguments suggest that the reusable bags would also cause environmental pollution, as they are just thicker forms of the current plastic bags. How Can Companies Support the Ban with Promotional Reusable Bags? Multinational companies can support the ban by conducting workshops and training programs within the workplace to educate their employees, as well as outsiders, about the environmental hazards. They can also teach about the adverse impacts that plastic bags have on the environment. They can encourage people to use promotional reusable bags. Businesses can organize recycling programs in schools too, which can help children in understanding the importance of giving up on plastic bags. Source

The city of Austin has made a bold and bio-friendly move by implementing a law that aims to restrict the usage of “use-once-and-discard” plastic bags. Not withstanding the good intentions with which the above law was framed, questions remain as to whether the law enjoys the patronage of the legal protocols of the nation. Following a Congress man's request, the Attorney General Greg Abbot's official entourage may present a formal opinion with regard to the validity of the new law. Waiting for Abbott for the Plastic Bag Ban The plastic bag ban was implemented in 2013 and the city's waste management agency, the RRD has been quick to state that the ban has had a positive effect on the waste management scenario in the city. The department has cited the law as an important cause of the reduction in the littering of parking areas and the city's water streams. Additionally, instances of waste plastic bags finding their way into waste treatment and processing plants have greatly reduced, claims the RRD. Aiden Cohen, a prominent official from the department said that waste plastic bags formed the bulk of the city's garbage and had caused a grave danger to the fauna of the area along with compounding problems in times of flooding. Cohen enthusiastically said that there had been a reduction of thirty percent in the volume of waste plastic bags reaching the city's treatment plants since the law was enacted. A research scientist associated with the WaterShed Protection Program in Austin was quoted saying that there has been a radical decrease in the volume of waste plastic bags ending up in the waterways of the city. Abbott is currently a frontrunner for the post of Governor. However, the general opinion being expressed by people is that a formal opinion by him on the law will pave the way for the implementation of other such laws in the future. It is therefore of essence that the Abbott presents his opinion in this regard. Wholesale Reusable Bags Can Help Make a Difference Although the environmental dangers posed by plastic bags are evident, certain citizens and groups have voiced dissidence against the practicality of the plastic ban. The argument put for by opponents of the law is that the production of bio-degradable containers made of reinforced paper causes nearly seventy percent more emissions than otherwise. The only available alternative to the erstwhile plastic bag is most certainly a reusable bag which is produced with minimal emissions. Enter the wholesale reusable bags phenomenon. These bags, made of either mesh or cloth will allow cities to maintain cleaner environs. The usage of cloth bags will most certainly aid the ailing bio-system of the Earth and provide a fresh lease of life to the flora and fauna of the planet. Source

The city leaders of Alamo City are working on turning the city green and its residents into more environmentally-conscious citizens. They plan to propose a ban or figure out ways to use plastic bags more conservatively. Custom printed reusable bags are a good alternative to plastic bags. The leaders will present their suggestions to a governance committee and the final decision will be made in April. Sustainable Options for the City Deputy City Manager Peter Zanoni, slated out the options that are to be presented to the committee. One of them is to increase the reach of the recycling campaigns, another is to impose a fee on customers who use plastic bags at check-out counters, the third option is that stores could refund some money to customers who bring their own reusable bags. The fourth proposed option is that businesses should make an effort and spread education about reducing plastic bag use. His last option is to issue a flat ban on single-use plastic bags. Zanoni stated that the city tried to educate residents about reducing the use of single-use plastic bags many years ago, but the campaign did not succeed. Though the campaign managed to increase the rate of recycling, but the overall use of plastics bags did not decrease. The city had spent $400,000 on the campaign. However, the private sector feels it can execute the educational campaign better by following the one business at a time approach. Zanoni praised San Antonio for its efforts of running a solid waste department, which was helping in keeping the city green. The city aims to recycle 60 percent of its waste by 2025. The Governance Committee to which Zanoni will present the options includes District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal, District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran, District 4 Councilman Saldana, and District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg. Why Should Alamo City Start Using Custom Printed Reusable Bags? We need to realize that we live in an ecosystem and here, everyone's existence is interdependent. The environment is harmed by the manufacturing and decomposing of plastic bags. Millions of sea animals and birds are killed because of them and their toxicity. Did you know that plastic bags have been found floating around Antarctica? That explains how serious the problem is. It may be difficult to change an old, ingrained habit, but stop and take notice. Your ignorance is brutally costing your own world. There are alternatives to plastic bags – reusable bags. Custom printed reusable bags are available in several designs. Use them, make a statement. Source