Reaping the Harvest of Responsibility
Navigating bag bans is difficult enough, but then you have to make sure your totes and backpacks are responsible too. What exactly does the word “responsible” mean when it comes to promotional products? Sustainable practices, QCA accreditation, American manufacturing and ecological products are some key points (though the list can be expanded). The current responsibility buzzword is not “eco-friendly” as it was a few years ago, but “reusable.” “Eco-friendly bags (mostly perceived as bags made with recycled or sustainable materials) are continuing a steady pace of sales, however, it appears that bags with ‘reusable’ characteristics are the growing trend,” Duffy noted. He listed USA-made and QCA accreditation as the other top responsibility trends. “Requests for USA-made bags are increasing as the social trend in this area continues, but also for the faster lead times they can offer,” he said. “As an overall quality source, suppliers with QCA accreditation continue to gain more traction because they’re recognized as leaders in the core areas of quality and product safety,” he added.
It’s not always easy to find bags that are reusable, USA-made, QCA-certified and budget-friendly, but Duffy pointed out it is more about perceived value than price. “I believe that [responsible practices] do impact buying decisions, as many buyers are consciously thinking about the end-user of the bag and how it will be used and perceived,” he explained.
Finding products with high perceived value involves keeping an eye out for interesting new products, such as cotton grocery totes. “New cotton shopping bags and totes from India are sure to make a splash in the American markets as soon as they are already widely used in Europe,” Mahoney said. “There are many options to choose from, including organic cotton which is free of pesticides, Fair Trade bags that are manufactured in a plant with high ethical standards where the workers are treated fairly and paid good wages,” she added. “Plus they are reusable, biodegradable, washable and will be used again and again to increase brand awareness.”
Next: It’s all in the details
