The latest polls are in — being green is the new black. But investing in sustainable products isn’t just a fashion trend. Given how dire issues like habitat destruction and global warming are, now is the perfect time for a business to use custom eco-friendly products to raise brand awareness. The best and simplest way to start is with printed eco-friendly cotton tote bags.
Tote bags are the perfect promotional product. They’re a cost-effective tool that is not only useful to have during a shopping trip, but can serve as a neat fashion accessory. If the totes are cotton, then they can also help save the environment by reducing the amount of plastic used in retail stores.
Thus, any company struggling to come up with a promo campaign that will be both impactful and meaningful should consider investing in cotton tote bags. They can not only promote the business, but show employees and customers where the brand’s moral compass lies.
Cotton Totes vs Plastic Bags: What’s the Difference?
We hear it on the news all the time — plastic is terrible for the environment, and switching to reusable bags is the best way to reduce waste. But is this really the case? Is plastic as bad as the media makes it out to be? The answer is that it’s worse.
For starters, plastic is a non-biodegradable material. As opposed to organic compounds, like natural fibers, or food waste, plastic won’t decompose after it’s tossed away. Plastic takes centuries to deteriorate, meaning that it can easily pile up in landfills or rivers, eroding the soil and creating blockages. Not only that, but it releases harmful toxins during the decomposition process which have been linked to several cancerous diseases in humans.
Then there’s the impact on the oceans. It’s common knowledge that plastic bags are one of the biggest killers of marine life. Fish and sea turtles often mistake the bags for food. The bags cause severe intestinal blockages which result in the animals’ deaths. Though trees are important producers of oxygen, the vast majority of it comes from the ocean. This is why it’s important to protect it as best as possible.
Cotton tote bags can be of great help here. In contrast to plastic, cotton is a natural, completely biodegradable material that releases no toxins when it decomposes. Plus, they’re reusable, meaning that each subsequent shopping trip cuts back on the amount of plastic produced. Lastly, they’re multipurpose, meaning that it allows users to drastically cut back on using plastic in other areas of their lives, not just while grocery shopping.
How Cotton Tote Bags Give Your Brand a Marketing Advantage
Cotton tote bags may be good for the environment, but how effective are they as promotional products? Well, seeing how popular these totes have become, the answer is very effective. They offer companies many promotional benefits that standard ads just can’t compete with.
1. They Reflect a Brand’s Ethics
As mentioned, cotton tote bags are the perfect cost effective way to reduce pollution. Therefore, any company that decides to use them to raise awareness, won’t just be getting publicity for their products, but for the environment as well. A company with eco-friendly practices is always a big hit among consumers. Plus, a strong stance on ethics will give a brand a reputation that will make it easier for customers to trust them.
2. They Add a Competitive Advantage
Most eco-sceptics point out how no one will buy expensive eco-friendly products if cheaper options exist. Actually, the opposite is true. According to recent studies, 65% of consumers said they feel it’s important to buy greener products. Not only that but over 80% of consumers reported that they are more willing to do business with a brand that makes public efforts to be environmentally conscious. Therefore, switching to cotton tote bags is the perfect opportunity to gain more revenue.
What’s more, if a brand’s competitors haven’t dipped their toes into green advertising yet, then this is the perfect way to gain an advantage and be a leader in the space.
3. They Broaden the Customer Base
Many companies underestimate the power of the youth. Generation Z may just be entering adulthood, but they are already making a significant impact on the market as consumers. This impact will only increase as the years go by, so it’s very important for brands to tap into that demographic ASAP.
The best way to do this is through eco-friendly cotton tote bags. Recent polls showcase that teens and young adults ages 15-25 are the most ethically minded consumer group. The findings report that young shoppers are more likely to buy brands if they have products labeled cruelty-free, and sustainable. Not only that, but they’re also more likely to boycott a brand if it lacks eco-friendly policies.
Therefore, any brand looking out for future revenue should start appealing to gen Z with some sustainable accessories.
4. They Attract New Business Partners and Increase Employee Satisfaction
During marketing campaigns, companies tend to focus on consumers so much that they neglect internal affairs. Namely their employees and potential business partners. Green practices are just as important for employees, since they too want to be associated with a responsible brand. Therefore, handing out eco-friendly cotton tote bags at the next corporate event is a great way to increase their loyalty to the company.
What’s more, going green will appeal to business partners as well. Everyone wants to be associated with an ethical company, given how popular sustainable products are. So a brand looking to branch out should use cotton tote bags at their next networking party.
5. They Up A Brand’s Style Game
Recycled and eco-friendly materials get a bad rap for looking cheap. However, this doesn’t have to be the case, especially if a company decides to customize their cotton tote bags. Cotton takes on printer ink like a dream, so it’s very easy to decorate the bags with logos and print designs. What’s more, they come in a whole host of shapes and sizes that can appeal to a wide range of style preferences.
Not only that, but thanks to websites like GoPromotional, this entire process can be done with just a click of a button. All a company has to do is select their preferred bag style from GoPromotional’s extensive catalog, customize them and voila. A brand can now advertise in a green and stylish way.
6. They’re Offer Long-lasting Brand Exposure
Cotton fibers are extremely durable. Most manufacturers make cotton tote bags using complex stitches, which are designed to handle heavier products than traditional plastic. Because of the high quality of the materials, the bags will last for years. This means that a brand will be getting exposure a long time after the campaign is over. Even better, they’ll be raising brand awareness at a highly affordable price.
At less than a pound per bag, cotton totes are the ideal bulk purchase for any large scale promotional campaign. Plus, they offer much more effective exposure than traditional advertising. A 10 second ad can be annoying and entirely useless at getting customers interested in the brand.
In fact, it might even have the opposite effect. If the ad is intrusive, potential buyers might develop negative feelings toward a brand. This in turn, can lead them to avoid giving the company their business.
In contrast, cotton tote bags are a much more low-key way to market. They’re a useful product everyone uses. So right off the bat, they have way more substance than a classic ad campaign. In short, they’re a budget friendly way to protect the environment, advertise and invest not just in the company’s future, but the planet’s as well.
Related content:
Promotional Cotton Bags – The Advantages Are Clear!
Final Thoughts
Any company that wants to be successful should start by investing in sustainable business practices. The easiest and most inexpensive way to start is with cotton tote bags. They’re the best way to reduce plastic waste, protect sea life and appeal to a wide customer base. Moreover, they’re a good way for a company to showcase how responsible they are. This in turn helps them forge a good reputation for themselves. Customers, employees and potential business partners alike all love an ethical brand.
So a brand choosing a custom, eco-friendly cotton tote bag is not only saving the planet, but securing their future as a business.
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Check out our full collection of custom printed bags including tote bags, canvas bags, non-woven bags, and jute bags. If you require further information or have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to give a member of our experienced team a call on 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today.
