• 11 Comments
  • July 30th 2007

Plastic bags getting trashed

I’m not a plastic bag

A trend is happening in Canada, as I’m sure it is in other parts of the world as well. What we would normally lug our groceries and shopping goods home in, those un-eco friendly plastic bags, are being replaced with designer friendly reusable bags.

President’s Choice has been running ads over the past month proclaiming their mission to divert 1 billion plastic bags from our landfills. And others like Holt Renfrew and Urban Outfitters have created some of the most sought after grocery bags ever. Holt happened to sell out of their entire stock the morning of release, and the $18 Anya Hindmarch designed item, which is now sold out in the US as well, is still fetching upwards of $100 on eBay.

Albeit more of a female movement, I’m sure someone will eventually release something less like a purse, that guys would feel comfortable carrying around. This has taken off mainly because of celebrities who’ve been caught in the open carrying a “Im not a plastic bag” bag. As we strive to emulate celebs at times in various facets of lifestyle, as long as they have one of these bags in hand or on arm, I can’t see this positive trend debunking anytime soon.

So here’s where I think an opportunity exists. Either someone like Threadless can jump at the chance to include an eco-bag in their line, print a copy of all their tee designs on a bag, or you can do it yourself. Create a line of affordable, stylish bags, that cater to the fashionable needs of both men and women.

These products have an enormous lead in social influence over something like LED lights, which are a little tough to show off in public, so as an environmental entrepreneur, these would be a much safer bet.

If you’ve been looking for an idea, feel like designing something, or have a needle and thread on hand, go with this. I’d love to see a young entrepreneur make something out of this and have an impact on the way we shop.

  • http://creativebriefing.com Verne

    This is a great cause with a lot of great opportunities. As an entrepreneur and a designer, I think this is something I’d definitely consider dabbing my toes in if the right collab opportunity were to come along.

    John Mayer has been in the process of developing a similar eco-friendly plastic bag alternative through his new line called Another Kind of Green (AKOG). He’s got cool concept sketches up on his blog too! He has no permalinks, but you can scroll down to his posts on July 17 and May 10.

    Celebrity endorsement or not, this is still something neat to invest into!

  • http://creativebriefing.com Verne

    This is a great cause with a lot of great opportunities. As an entrepreneur and a designer, I think this is something I’d definitely consider dabbing my toes in if the right collab opportunity were to come along.

    John Mayer has been in the process of developing a similar eco-friendly plastic bag alternative through his new line called Another Kind of Green (AKOG). He’s got cool concept sketches up on his blog too! He has no permalinks, but you can scroll down to his posts on July 17 and May 10.

    Celebrity endorsement or not, this is still something neat to invest into!

  • http://www.skanwar.com Satish

    To be honest (and this is probably why I wouldn’t be one of the young entrepreneurs that would be able to do this), I don’t think any affordable grocery bag would be comfortable/appealing enough for me to want to carry it around. Instead, I opt out of bags all together and carry small loads in hand or use boxes.

    Hmm, a box. Maybe someone can design better, sturdy, and collapsable/foldable grocery boxes for guys instead…

  • http://www.skanwar.com Satish

    To be honest (and this is probably why I wouldn’t be one of the young entrepreneurs that would be able to do this), I don’t think any affordable grocery bag would be comfortable/appealing enough for me to want to carry it around. Instead, I opt out of bags all together and carry small loads in hand or use boxes.

    Hmm, a box. Maybe someone can design better, sturdy, and collapsable/foldable grocery boxes for guys instead…

  • http://www.freshpeel.com Chris Wilson

    Eco friendly shopping bags are a great idea. And companies like Holt Renfrew and Urban Outfitters are doing a great job of not only making them functional but fashionably appealing.

    When taking steps to get consumers to just on the green machine, a big key is showing them what they are going to gain by making this transition and not what they are going to be giving up. In this case consumers are given a chance to make a statement about who they are and what matters to them.

  • http://www.freshpeel.com Chris Wilson

    Eco friendly shopping bags are a great idea. And companies like Holt Renfrew and Urban Outfitters are doing a great job of not only making them functional but fashionably appealing.

    When taking steps to get consumers to just on the green machine, a big key is showing them what they are going to gain by making this transition and not what they are going to be giving up. In this case consumers are given a chance to make a statement about who they are and what matters to them.

  • http://www.dorm-room-biz.com chris.pund

    I think the idea is great. I am just curious as to why people are just now adapting to this concept when many grocery stores have been offering grocery shopping bags for years that you can reuse and don’t have to throw away. Safeway and Giant food stores have them as well as others.

    I do agree that this is more of a trend that is going to take place among women then men. I don’t think I would be caught carrying a shopping bag around that said “Im not a plastic bag”. Need a small one that can be balled up and store inside of it self (like a rain jacket or similar camping item) for me.

    I guess the disadvantage to this is that you either A) have to have multiple of these bags in case you leave it at home when you go shopping and have an extra in you car, or B) you have to be sure you have your bag with you EVERYWHERE you go. You might as well use it as a purse too ladies!

  • http://www.dorm-room-biz.com chris.pund

    I think the idea is great. I am just curious as to why people are just now adapting to this concept when many grocery stores have been offering grocery shopping bags for years that you can reuse and don’t have to throw away. Safeway and Giant food stores have them as well as others.

    I do agree that this is more of a trend that is going to take place among women then men. I don’t think I would be caught carrying a shopping bag around that said “Im not a plastic bag”. Need a small one that can be balled up and store inside of it self (like a rain jacket or similar camping item) for me.

    I guess the disadvantage to this is that you either A) have to have multiple of these bags in case you leave it at home when you go shopping and have an extra in you car, or B) you have to be sure you have your bag with you EVERYWHERE you go. You might as well use it as a purse too ladies!

  • nifty

    The thing that always brings out the skeptic in me with issues like this is the real carbon footprint behind these alternative products. Basically, these bags will only last so long, and like ceramic mugs, the original energy it takes to make one can often outweigh the benefits of not “consuming” the plastic or paper versions.

    I tend to think that anything that lessens the demand for the paper or plastic products is good, but then I think the reality is that these items are cheap enough to keep making even if they are not used, then simply discarded and written off. I know, it’s not a happy world we live in.

    In the interest of fighting futility, I give you this article, showing that there are still many other effective ways of lowering your carbon footprint - and one that involves a different point of view on the grocery store. And my personal favorite - “unplug your shit”.
    Lower Your Carbon Footprint

  • nifty

    The thing that always brings out the skeptic in me with issues like this is the real carbon footprint behind these alternative products. Basically, these bags will only last so long, and like ceramic mugs, the original energy it takes to make one can often outweigh the benefits of not “consuming” the plastic or paper versions.

    I tend to think that anything that lessens the demand for the paper or plastic products is good, but then I think the reality is that these items are cheap enough to keep making even if they are not used, then simply discarded and written off. I know, it’s not a happy world we live in.

    In the interest of fighting futility, I give you this article, showing that there are still many other effective ways of lowering your carbon footprint - and one that involves a different point of view on the grocery store. And my personal favorite - “unplug your shit”.
    Lower Your Carbon Footprint

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