14 x 3 x 21" Clear Frosty Merchandise Bag from Uline - $.17/bag
used to package Panel Paintings (12 x 10 in), Box Prints (16 x 13 in), and small prints (11 x 14 in and smaller)
eco merit - may be recycled wherever number 2 plastics are accepted
used to package Panel Paintings (12 x 10 in), Box Prints (16 x 13 in), and small prints (11 x 14 in and smaller)
eco merit - may be recycled wherever number 2 plastics are accepted
Our hope has been to replace this bag with a more environmentally-friendly bag once we exhausted our stock of this bag. Of course the best option is for individuals to bring their own reusable shopping bags with them to art fairs. To encourage patrons to do this, we offer a $5 discount on all purchases when a patron presents a reusable shopping bag at our booth. Sadly, since posting this offer on our website, we've only had 2 individuals present a reusable shopping bag at a show.
A few options we have considered:
A few options we have considered:
- Treecycle's Shopping Bag: unbleached natural kraft 95% PCW 100% recycled - view product
- Uline Biodegradable Plastic Bags: view product
- BioBags: printed with soy inks and 100% biodegradable and compostable - view product
- Reusable shopping bag: example Plus Packaging's non-woven shopping totes - view product
- Protect the artwork in rainy conditions - no paper bags
- Support the weight of multiple Panel Paintings - 2.5 mil weight minimum (most biodegradable bags are less than 1 mil)
- Available in order minimums 1000 or less (minimum for BioBags is 1/2 pallet)
- Cost less than $1.00/bag with minimum height of 19 inches (eliminates the reusable shopping bags)
size: 15 x 3 x 19 in
weight: 2.5 mil
cost per bag (no logo, 500-999 bags): $.58/bag
eco merits: 40% post consumer and post industrial recycled content and up to 20% non-petroleum based calcium filler which reduces the use of the petroleum based resins by as much as 60%
weight: 2.5 mil
cost per bag (no logo, 500-999 bags): $.58/bag
eco merits: 40% post consumer and post industrial recycled content and up to 20% non-petroleum based calcium filler which reduces the use of the petroleum based resins by as much as 60%
Our challenge to our readers is to find an even better solution. If you help us locate a retail shopping bag that fulfills our requirements, we will gratefully send you a $100 gift certificate.
Until then, our search continues for more environmentally responsible retail shopping bag options for the art fair vendor.
Until then, our search continues for more environmentally responsible retail shopping bag options for the art fair vendor.
5 comments:
I too have been thinking about this problem. Right now, I use standard plastic bags, but wish that I could find something to be more eco-friendly.
Thank you for your list of options to think about.
I would definitely stay away from non-woven polypropylene bags. They're appealing because they're cheap and "recyclable" but the truth is, they're plastic. They're just an even-worse plastic that won't last long enough to cancel out its own carbon foot print. (Meaning one won't be useful long enough to replace the same amount of plastic bags that could have been produced with the same energy and resources.) If you really want to help the environment, encourage your customers to bring their own high-quality shopping bag. Something that's going to replace 1000s of plastic bags like rip-stop nylon or even better, hemp, bamboo or organic cotton. Sustainably made bags are going to cost more than cheap giveaways because they're generally made with Fair Trade practices and the materials are more costly (non-woven bags are made of petroleum) but they're worth it if they're made to last long enough to actually make a difference.
The people who don't bring their own bags can at least reuse the plastic bags you have for them as garbage can liners or to wrap up dirty diapers and pet waste.
If you're wondering why I'm obsessed with bags it's because I work at reusablebags.com and we spend all day every day encouraging people to think about what they're buying to they can consume less.
Good luck with your search, I'm interested to see what you discover.
I recently switched from plastic bags to recycled kraft paper bags for my customers to take away. I understand your plight to find the right bag that will work for your product that is also AFFORDABLE. So many eco-friendly products out there are many times the price of the standards, which can be disheartening. Good luck on your search and I will let you know if I find anything out there....
Thanks for the great discussion on this topic so far. This weekend, at the Broad Ripple Art Fair in Indianapolis, IN, we were delighted to have 2 customers that brought their own reusable shopping bags. Our customers were using the ACME bags and Envirosax, both available from reusablebags.com and available in compact versions that fold into small pouches, perfect for storing inside a purse or backpack.
Here is the bag that I use for small items. I am not sure it's thick enough for your use? But possibly an option for some things.
http://tinyurl.com/ou9zzl
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