Truly Ethical is expanding its range of eco friendly craft kits for children with four new Fair Trade kits:

• Space kit
• Flowers kit
• Fish kit
• Theatre kit

Each kit uses components that are fairly traded, recycled or sustainable, or all three.  The kits are aimed at children from three years old, and encourage them to use their creative talents whilst learning how to be environmentally friendly. Children can use their imagination to make the kits, or follow the simple instructions.

The kits, which have been designed and produced in the UK, include Fair Trade craft items such as tissue paper, beads made from magazines, material off cuts and jute.  These components come from countries such as Uganda and Nepal.   Even the boxes the kits come in are used to make the final product. 

“Our craft kit components are carefully sourced from suppliers who support Fair Trade manufacturing.  Our philosophy aids projects such as helping Tibetan refugee children and assisting the growth of local communities in the poorer areas of the world by providing employment,” says Anna Smith, owner of Truly Ethical.  “We were inspired by the success of the Truly Ethical craft kits we launched last year and so have been busy coming up with new ethical craft kit ideas to expand the range.  We sell fun, affordable products that make a difference to the world and teach our children about Fair Trade.”

The craft kits are priced between £5.99 and £9.99 (RRP) and are available for both wholesale and retail purchase.

Truly Ethical works alongside its sister website, Ethical Party Bags, which supplies a range of ethical party bag products and gifts.

Ethical Party Bags is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Design a winning reusable bag

Reusable eco-bags are a must-have for retail, fashion and the High Street. Every time they are used they’re promoting your brand, they show you care about the environment and increase revenue if sold in a retail store. That is why it is so important to choose the right bag for your company. We see many eco-bags hastily put together, with the main reason either lack time or lack of know-how. Here are my top tips for designing a reusable bag that will make your bag stand out from the rest:

1. Be organised: Pre-planning is essential to achieve the most out of your bag. Allow the most amount of time possible for design, manufacture and shipment. This will save money as well: all too often clients end up spending as much on express delivery as the actual bag cost. It takes eight weeks for manufacture and delivery which needs to be factored in on top of the time you spend selecting the style of bag and creating the artwork for it.

2. Bag your brand: This is an opportunity to extend your marketing campaign. If you have a great logo, use it. Often a simple design that encapsulates the sentiment of your brand used with your website address can be more effective than a traditional branded logo bag.

3. Be creative: This is your chance to be different. Consider having the handles, piping or gusset in a different colour to the base bag colour. Instead of being tempted for a white bag with your logo printed in your brand colour go for a Non-woven bag made in the material colour of your brand and the printing in black, white or a complimentary colour.   So many bags end up looking the same and you want yours to stand out!

4. Use colour:  The benefit of choosing a Non-woven polypropylene bag is the huge range of vibrant colours you can choose from. Non-woven material can be matched to the exact pantone colour for large orders.

5. Think detail: Increase the quality by adding poppers, a zip or pocket. Perhaps a hard base insert to improve durability? Laminating a Non-woven bag will transform it to a totally different bag.

6. Make it simple: Style is king! You want your bags to look great so they are used over and over again to get your brand maximum exposure. Avoid the temptation to print too much text. A great image, design or colour choice will create bag envy.

7. Think about your audience: Match your style of bag match to suit your target audience. If it is mainly for women think about a tote with longer over the shoulder handles. For men, a messenger style bag would be suitable while a drawstring bag would be best for youth or sports use. For supermarket shopping a heavy duty green bag with a base might be the best choice. These are only a few suggestions, but each campaign will have different considerations.

8. Choose the right material: Make sure the material compliments your brand, style and target client:

Non-woven PP: is recyclable, contemporary and versatile. It can accommodate sophisticated full colour print techniques to achieve a photo quality as well as silk screen printing or heat transfer.

Cotton: is traditional and suited to simple one or two colour screen printing

Jute: is natural, rigid and suited to supermarket style shopping bags.

rPET: is a modern and environmentally friendly made from recycled PET bottles. This might be a feature that is important and a message in itself.

9. Think print: Spend time thinking about the kind of print you will use:

Silk screen printing: is available for Non-woven, cotton, Jute and rPET. The most intricate of designs can be portrayed in perfect detail with single print colours.

Heat transfer: for a photo quality finish a heat transfer might be the ticket. Essentially a tattoo or a decal is created and with the use of heat bonded onto the bag. This method can be used for non-woven bags, cotton bags, jute or rPET.

Full Colour Process: best for woven or Non- woven bags. It is suited to graphic and digitally created art work where 100% print coverage is desired. It will guarantee a contemporary and vibrant bag and no limit to creativity.

10. Make your bag do business for you: Think about using your bag in promotions – customers spend over £50 and get a bag free or have a special environmentally friendly days when you give away a complimentary bag.

These considerations will affect the quality and price of an ecobag. It is worth the time and investment as it will result in the best bag possible maximising your brand, encouraging reuse and adding to the success of your marketing campaigns.

e: leanne@smartbags.co.uk          

w: http://www.smartbags.co.uk/

p:0208 242 4468        

Smart Bags is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

By Hand, a fair trade store specialising in jewellery and eco-friendly bags from the island of Bali, has recently become a member of Ethical Junction.

The By Hand collection includes stunning sterling silver jewellery, earrings adorned with garnet, onyx, peridot, amethyst and moonstone gemstones, as well as a range of eco-friendly bags made from fast-growing, sustainable materials such as rattan, raffia and agel leaves.

As a company founded to prove that business can be ethical, By Hand is committed to fair trade and sustainable business practices. Furthermore, the By Hand customer service is second to none, with items packaged in beautiful presentation boxes and jute bags, and a full returns policy available on purchases from the store.

The By Hand January Sale means that you get a fantastic Flower Bracelet absolutely FREE when you buy one of four pairs of sterling silver earrings. Visit www.by-hand.co.uk today to make the most of this offer.

More information about By Hand can be found on the Ethical Junction website.

To celebrate 2010 Ethical Party Bags have some great party bag fillers and party bags on sale throughout January.  Why not start the New Year by buying party bags that are Fairly Traded and in many cases made from recycled materials.  Click here to go straight to our Sale page.

Ethical Party Bags is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Ethical Fashion and more at Richmond’s first Eco Christmas Fair

Guest speaker Zac Goldsmith – local champion of independent retailers, organic wine and nibbles, and a special Eco Christmas raffle!

There will be a range of eco and ethical stalls including: beautifully designed organic cotton eco shopping bags Bags of Change that get you discounts when you shop with them at over 70 stores; Bourgeois Boheme’s stylish ethical vegan fashion accessories; Kenyan fairly traded sisal and sustainable soapstone products from Voodoo Blue; Bam’s bamboo clothing for men and women; Plant Your Tree gift cards, organic T-shirts and towels from One Green Earth and Green Sisters; plus sustainable stocking fillers from the Sea Shepherd marine conservation charity.

WHEN: 6.30 – 9.00pm, Wednesday 2nd December 2009

WHERE: Bourgeois Boheme Showroom, Hydrex House, Garden Road, Richmond TW9 4NR.

This event is organised by Bags of Change and hosted by Bourgeois Boheme and Voodoo Blue.

Bags of Change is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Socially responsible and built for recycling; Greengrocer bags present a hip, bright and positive alternative to the ubiquitous plastic bag. Huge discounts are available on our annual sale stock. Minimum order quantity is 500. Choose from:

Greengrocer (All-purpose Grocery Bag)
50p each
Quantity available: 2500
In cartons of 100, 13kg each

6-Bottle Bag 40p each
45p each
Quantity available: 2000
In cartons of 100, 7kg each

Lunch Mini Bag (Café Lunch Bag)
45p each
Quantity available: 1600
In 7 cartons of 228 bags, 12kg each

City Foldable Bag (Pocket-sized folding shopping bag)
35p each
Quantity available: 500
In cartons of 100 bags, 12kg each
Bags only, no display card

All sale bags are coloured and printed as pictured. Prices exclude courier delivery costs. Full product details plus additional photographs are available at: http://www.greengrocer.uk.com/

To order, email us at email@greengrocer.uk.com or phone 077 255 22317.

Plumethical.co.uk, a new ethical bag shop for beautiful men’s and women’s bags, has been opened online.

Plum Ethical’s bags are made exclusively from reclaimed, recycled and non-animal materials, showcasing the cream of luxury ‘green’ bag brands; The Rubber Cow Company, PlanetSilverChilli, Neumatica and E&KO. 

Simon Garrett is the owner of Plum Ethical and says,” At Plum Ethical, we aim to show that ethical bags are also beautiful bags.  Our bags demonstrate a return to artistry and producing beautifully crafted goods but using only sustainable resources, and without causing a detrimental effect on the environment.”

The shop offers practical day bags; from handbags and messenger bags
for leisure time and work, through to sleek holdalls and weekend bags
for travel and sports.  Then, for a bit of dazzle in the evening, there
are a sumptuous range of delectable evening bags. Simon adds, “We
believe that fashion should play its part in recycling, and the bags we
sell are testimony that ethics and fashion can successfully mix.”
E&KO’s
striking red bags made from British decommissioned fire hoses offer the
durability required for daily use, but also make a stylish addition to
an outfit.  (left) E&KO Tote Bag – £179.      

For an
alternative to standard leather bags, the light trendy vegan bags from
The Rubber Cow Co., and Neumatica’s super-soft bags made from tough
reclaimed tyre tubes, make innovative and affordable substitutes.
 (Right)  Bolsocorto Bag from Neumatica –  £135.

PlanetSilverChilli
evening bags add a touch of glamour to an outfit for a night out, but
with the unusual twist that they are made of either re-used ring pulls
or recycled crisp bags.  Their bags are hand-made, and no two are
exactly the same.

PlanetSilverChilli, Shimmering Square Bag – £35,    PlanetSilverChilli, Funky Cocktail Bag (pink) – £30

For more information on Plum Ethical, and to view their full range of products, visit their shop:  www.plumethical.co.uk.

  
SALE 10% OFF ALL CANVAS BAGS FOR LIFE AS USED BY TOPSHOP
celebrating LONDON FASHION WEEK

Earlier this year we helped Topshop launch their New York store with this fashionable long handled canvas bag.

At 10% off ALL CANVAS PRODUCTS there is no excuse not to promote your green message, to your customers.

Call 0845 230 5996 or email kiran@supreme-london.com for some of the LOWEST PRICES in the UK.

Quick link to our Website
Prince Charles’ National Example of Excellence

Earlier this year Prince Charles named us his “National Example of Excellence”.

Winning this prestigious national award was because of our inspiring ethical and environmental work with:

1. Fairtrade cotton farmers

2. Underprivileged women workers training them with skills for life in our 100% owned factory

3. The Wings of Hope Children’s Charity – educating hundreds of children in developing countries

Click here for The Wings of Hope website

Offer subject to acceptable artwork and valid for 200 or more printed canvas bags or above. Orders must be confirmed by 15 October 2009 (not valid in combination with any other offers, discounts or promotions)

All the bags in the below image are now
only 40p each.

If interested, please contact
us.

Regards,
Rob Angel

for and on behalf of
Greengrocer (UK) Ltd

www.greengrocer.uk.com

16 West Barnes Lane, London, United Kingdom SW20 0BU
M +44 (0)7725522317 / T+44 (0)208 944 1940 / F +44 (0)208 944 1117

A
growing area of awareness, as far as the Environment is concerned, is
our excessive use of “Throw Away Carriers” (“TACS”) and even
some of the larger “multiples” have used TV Advertising Campaigns
to encourage us to use ANY bag in their Stores.

In
the UK we get through something in excess of 11 BILLION “Throw Away
Carriers” (“TACS”) each year, which is over 300 per household,
and with the average “Life Span” of these “TACS” being around
8 minutes isn’t this all getting a bit ridiculous?

The
GOOD NEWS is that there are alternatives and by “Thinking
outside of the BAG”, it is possible to help BOTH the Environment
and YOUR Business…

In
2003 a Family Run Company “Ecobags”
launched. They specialise in working closely with High Quality
Independent Businesses across the UK to design & supply their own
range of
Highly effective, long lasting, reusable “Walking Adverts”, which
substantially cut down on the HUGE number of “Throw Away (single
use) Carriers” (TACS) used on a daily basis.

As Debbie Kay & Gavin Sheppard, the Directors of
“Ecobags” told us:

“Whilst
both working in Marketing, we became aware of the fact that most
businesses were keen to find new ways to get themselves noticed and
with the growing “interest” in Environmental Issues, the idea
came to us – WALKING ADVERTS – and “Ecobags” was born”.

“Over
the last six years we have developed relationships with hundreds of
High Quality Business clients across the UK and by “Thinking
outside of the BAG”
have helped them to BOTH increase their
exposure & sales, whilst at the same time reducing their
overheads & substantially helping the environment… Some of our
clients have reduced the number of “TACS” they use each year by
MANY pallet loads!!”.

But what do we mean when we say “Think outside of the
BAG?

“We’ve
all heard the expression “Thinking outside of the box” to come up
with something innovative and that’s exactly what we do with our
clients…. By changing your thinking a
bag becomes a dynamic Marketing tool.

What exactly are
“Ecobags”?

High Quality Bags, Custom Made for any Business – Any
Shape; Any Size; Any Colour – and come “Logo Printed”, so they
act as perfect LONG LASTING, COST EFFECTIVE “Walking Adverts”.

Debbie told us: “We have found, over the past few
years, there are FOUR MAIN REASONS for
Businesses to approach us and start to work with us:

1. The Business wants to show its customers that they are
   concerned about the Environment
   and by using “Ecobags” they will help to cut down on the 11
   billion Throw Away Carriers disposed of in the UK each and every
   year.

2. Businesses using long lasting, re-usable “Ecobags”
   will SAVE MONEY, as
   it reduces the overhead of “plastic carriers”. Customers who buy
   an “Ecobag” will bring it back every time they shop and not
   expect to be given throw-away carriers on each visit.

3. “Ecobags” are best sold at cost and as such will
   give any Business using them FREE
   ADVERTISING, as their customers walk around
   promoting that business wherever they go. Our clients have found
   that a majority of the General Public are quite happy and willing to
   pay for a High Quality, re-usable bag, to “do their bit for the
   environment” – think about it for a moment – would you? And
   most importantly, would your customers?

4. The Image & Identity
   of the Business MUST be protected. Our list of clients who regularly
   re-order from us is testimony that if you’re looking for a High
   Quality re-usable bag that needs to look good for the long term,
   then you need to consider talking to “Ecobags”.

Gavin then went on to say…

January
2008 saw “Ecobags” launch our major initiative: “Make 2008 the
year your Business Goes “TACS Free”".

“Many
of our existing clients, as well as plenty of new ones are
re-ordering so often, with more & more of their customers buying
their logo printed “Ecobags”, that they have been able to make
huge reductions in their spend levels on “TACS”.

One
of these clients, has reduced their weekly “TACS give away” from
3,000 bags to around 1,200. Just think for a moment the ANNUAL SAVING
you would make if you didn’t have to order ANY “TACS”, or even
substantially reduce the quantity you used day in, day out….

We are here ready to help any “Independent” who
wants to start working towards the day when they no longer have to
give away any bag, thereby helping the environment and INCREASING
THEIR PROFITS!

If you’re interested about finding out how “Ecobags”
could work with you, then more information can be found by visiting
their websites or calling them FREE:

0808 178 8822

www.ecobags.co.ukor
www.walkingadverts.com

SPECIAL OFFER for fellow members of “Ethical
Junction”:

20% OFF our standard “Price Guide” when you
mention this article