Monthly Archives: December 2012

Brands that overpackage – ARGH

20 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by in garbage, trash, zero waste

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It’s holiday time and we’re all about to get some “stuff.”  I have a question…When you get that special something, that carefully considered gift from someone you love and…

As you open it up, or tear off the packaging or rip into the packaging…

Does all that packaging that you are about to throw away make you feel any differently about the company who made the item you just opened? Do you wish, because you love the Brand that the packaging wasn’t so wasteful or was recyclable? Do you think the packaging is in line with the Brand or out of line? Does it match their values? Does it match yours? Or, do you take it as something you can’t control and even though you don’t want the packaging, you’re willing to accept it cause you want that thing?

I’m just asking because it’s a thought process I go through all the time. For ECOBAGS Brand we use the least amount of packaging possible. What does that mean? We only use a single plastic bag to package 10 items in a group, coming in from our manufacturing plant, never a single item. We’ve gotten some feedback (ok, not great) about even the single plastic bag and we’re not happy about it either however, we haven’t yet found a substitute. We do reuse a lot of the bags and recycle all of them but we all know the % of actually recycled plastic bags is very, very low.

But when I see single items so securely and wastefully packaged, it makes me want to scream. When I see it on brands I love and respect, it makes me want to go over the deep end even though I know they’re probably grappling with the same shipping and packing options as we are.

Here’s one last thought. If you’re really offended by the packaging, speak up. Write to the company, let them know you love em but they gotta work on their packaging. We’re working on ours….They need to work on theirs. We’re all in this together.

Use this presentation about The Dangers of Plastic Bags

12 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by in education, Environmental Action, garbage, Plastic Bag Ban, Plastic Bags, trash

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Why Re-invent the wheel?

If you need a presentation about the environmental effects of Plastic bags –  use this one  “The dangers of plastic bags” – posted by the University of  Florida, IFAS extension and,

Watch and share this from NBC NEWS – about the plastics washing up in Hawaii, two years after the Tsunami in Japan!

Your local bag ban starts with you, now!

Share these resources.

A Day in the Big Green Apple – Things to do

10 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in Green, New York

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Green NYC

I was asked to write this post for the Downtown Culture Blog. In writing it I realized this is cool information so I’m posting it here as well. The activities can translate to any city, really. Enjoy.

New York City has so many ways to have a “green experience” that it’s challenging to pick only a few things to do. Of course you can spend time in Central Park or head out to the Brooklyn or Queens  Botanical Gardens, but to have a full out green experience, challenge yourself to “create no waste” on all of your excursions. This means you’ll be heading out with a water bottle you can refill(there are 3114 public drinking fountains and there’s an app to find them) and a reusable shopping bag expandable & lightweight (of course you can get them from us or the many retailers that sell them in the city) ,so you can say “no” to all types of single-use plastic or paper bags.

Here are a few things I love to do in NYC that are as green as you get.

  1. New York is a walking town and what could be greener. Pick a neighborhood you’ve never been in, like Washington Heights and walk around. Check out the Cloisters while you’re there and marvel at the views of the Hudson River.  You can take the subway (A Train) north to start your exploration. But, if you’re in more of a “downtown” mood, don’t feel like walking but really want the Hudson views, rent a bike, and ride off-road on the west side Greenway  down to Battery Park.  If you still have steam, you can turn around and ride all the way north to the upper west side. It’s a super easy ride (totally flat).  Check out the amazing Hudson River sunsets along any of the piers, if you’re still riding toward dusk.
  2. While you’re biking or walking all over the city, you’re going to get hungry and thirsty. There are lots of Farm To Table Options, like Cleaver and Co at  the Chelsea Market or Farmers Markets.  Skip “take-away cups and plates. Sit down and eat!
  3. Feel like you need to do some shopping and get some NYC style on? Tap into the RECYCLE part of the three R’s. Housing Works is the best thrift store in NYC and there are locations everywhere. You’ll find everything from clothes to lamps, books and furniture. The curated selection is amazing. Housing Works supports people living with HIV-AIDS. Here’s more information on their mission.  What is greener than contributing to a cause that’s about building and caring for a community!

Winning Awards

03 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in award, ECOBAGS, Ecobags in the Media, Environmental Action, zero waste

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WCBS 880It’s exciting to win awards, especially when nominated by peers in your city. That’s why the 2012 CBS-880 Radio (metro NY’s most listened to radio on the am dial) Women’s Achievement Award is a really sweet win for our CEO & Founder Sharon.  The award carries with it an event at City Winery on Varrick Street, NYC on December 5th, radio previews announcing  the event, speaking for a minute and a broadcast interview that will run 12/3 thru 12/7, with Pat Carroll.  This all means lots of opportunities to talk about what the ECOBAGS brand is and what Sharon is passionate about. Sharon said, “it’s all about touch-points. We founded ECOBAGS Brand in NYC because we were (and are) passionate about cleaning up the city by getting plastic litter off the streets and out of the waste stream. It wasn’t a sexy message 22 years ago but now waste reduction and socially responsible businesses are. It’s great to be recognized because it gives us another opportunity to reach and create even more eco-minded citizens.” CBS 880 Radio is awarding Sharon and 4 other exceptional women who are leaders in business and in their communities. Thanks CBS!

BTW- the first place Sharon ever worked in NYC was with CBS 60 Minutes!

And here’s an end note – the radio announced Sharon on 11/28. The same day the office got a call from people in Belle Harbor in NY who were hard hit and are still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. They heard what Eco-Bags does and called in for help with a donation of overstock bags.  We’re so happy they called and that we can help them.