Reusable Shopping Bags Key Terms

Key terms to help you stock up on reusable shopping bags

By Raechel L. Conover

Reusable shopping bags are the emerging trend in protecting the environment. You can promote your company and go a long way to help the environment by stocking your shelves with reusable shopping bags and by encouraging your customers to use them. When choosing reusable shopping bags to stock up on, there is a wealth of information and there are many, many options to choose from. To be sure you stock up on the best of the best, learn the following key terms.

Organic cotton

Organic cotton is a popular material used to make reusable shopping bags. Organic cotton is grown in cotton fields without the use of harmful pesticides. Organic cotton is processed into a material without the use of harmful materials, making it completely low impact to the environment.
Try: Simplygreensolutions.com explains how organic cotton is grown, while GoGreen-Bags.com explains how organic cotton is processed to bring you and your consumers organic cotton reusable shopping bags in a low impact way.

Hemp

Extremely durable, hemp reusable shopping bags offer durability like no other material. Hemp is grown without the use of herbicides and pesticides. Hemp is so environmentally friendly that it even improves the earth as it grows. Hemp gets softer with each use, making it ideal for a reusable shopping bag.
Try: For more information on hemp and hemp reusable shopping bags visit Wedge Worldwide and ReusableBags.

Non-woven polypropylene

When selling reusable shopping bags, be sure to stock up on the type made from non-woven polypropylene or NWPP. Non-woven polypropylene is made from recycled materials and is lightweight, durable, recyclable, reusable, washable, water repellent, hypoallergenic and resistant to corrosion. It is ranked a #5 recyclable plastic and is produced in an environmentally responsible manner.
Try: Earthwisebags offers a complete definition of non-woven polypropylene reusable shopping bags, while Eco-Bags Products defines NWPP in its material glossary.

Thermal

If your customers will be carrying hot or cold items home, then thermal reusable shopping bags are the way to go. Thermal means that the material contains properties that lock in heat or coldness to keep items at the correct temperature longer. Reusable shopping bags are made thermal with a reflective outer layer, an insulated middle layer and an FDA approved inner protective layer made from food grade materials.
Try: To learn about thermal reusable shopping bags, check out Made To Order and ReusableBags, both explain what thermal is and how it works to keep items hot or cold.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a material that is 100% biodegradable and 100% sustainable. Because it naturally wicks away moisture and prevents odors, it is a great option for reusable shopping bags. Bamboo grows fast, up to a foot a day without the help of man. Bamboo is put through high heat to produce bamboo charcoal which is made into a soft fabric for reusable shopping bags.
Try: Envirosax Pty offers a great explanation on Bamboo, while GoGreen-Bags.com discusses how Bamboo is made into bamboo charcoal for reusable shopping bags.

Recycled cotton

Recycled cotton is organic and natural cotton scraps that would have been thrown away by industries, but is instead used to make reusable shopping bags. Recycled cotton may be even better for the earth than organic cotton, because instead of taking up space in landfills, it is being used to eliminate plastic and paper shopping bags.
Try: For an in-depth explanation on recycled cotton, visit Eco-Bags Products and ReusableBags.