In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the impact of plastic bags on the environment.
Plastic itself is a ubiquitous material that has become an integral part of our daily lives and is most commonly used to make the carrier bags found out checkouts in supermarkets and retail shops. But, being a single-use material, it is disposed of quickly which means it doesn’t say in circulation for long, and it takes hundreds of years to decompose. Not only does this lead to thousands of tons of plastic bags sitting in landfills taking up valuable space, during the decomposition process, these items emit greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Plastic bags also end up polluting our oceans as much as they pollute land thanks to being littered. They pose a significant threat to marine life as they can be ingested by marine animals, leading to suffocation, choking, and death. Additionally, plastic bags can entangle marine animals, leading to injury or drowning.
As a result of how harmful plastic bags are to the planet, many businesses are making the switch to more sustainable alternatives. Designing an impactful sustainable bag for your checkouts is a great way to promote eco-friendliness and reduce waste.
Here are our top five tips for creating a sustainable bag that will make a difference.
- Choose eco-friendly materials
The first step in designing a sustainable bag for your checkouts is selecting the right materials. Look for materials that are eco-friendly, durable, reusable and long-lasting. Some popular choices include recycled materials, organic cotton, and biodegradable materials such as jute.
By choosing sustainable materials, you can reduce your carbon footprint and promote environmental conservation. - Optimize the shape and size
Your bag design should not only look good, but it also needs to be fit for purpose.
Consider the bag’s size, shape, and handles to ensure that it is comfortable and easy to carry. If your bag is too small, customers may not find it useful, while a bag that is too large could be inconvenient. Additionally, consider adding side or bottom gussets to maximise the internal space of the bag without making the bag overwhelmingly big. - Add your logo or branding
A reusable checkout bag is a brilliant opportunity for your business to promote its products or services. You can use the large print area to display your logo or message so that it is visible to all those that encounter the bag whilst it is being carried and used your customers.
It also makes the bag look more visually appealing when it has a colourful or bold print on it rather than just being plain.
Check out our branding techniques to get some inspiration. - Encourage reuse
One of the key benefits of sustainable bags is that they can be reused multiple times. Ensure that your bag is durable enough to withstand regular use, and consider adding features such as a reinforced bottom or sturdy handles. You could also consider adding a foldable feature that allows the bag to be easily stored when not in use. - Add functional features
You can enhance your printed checkout bag even further by adding a few functional features that make it even more useful and valuable to the recipient.
For example, a zip or drawstring closure can help keep the contents of the bag safe and secure, whilst adding pockets or compartments can make the bag even more versatile.
In conclusion, designing an impactful sustainable bag for your checkouts requires careful consideration of materials, functionality, and messaging. By following these five tips, you can create a bag that is not only eco-friendly, but also practical and effective.
Let’s all do our part to promote sustainability and reduce waste!