HELPING TO STOP PLASTIC AND PAPER BAGS
This fourth of July, Project GreenBag would like to thank our American workers who create our beautiful eco-friendly bags. They are a vital part of our organization and we love you (big hugs!)
The decision to spend an extra buck at checkout maybe tough in these economic times. But what you get in return is tremendous. When you buy a Project GreenBag you keep American workers employed. Employed with great health benefits, fair wage and support the American economy. Wow that’s a powerful dollar!
Is made in America important to you? To some it is; to most it doesn’t make a difference. The economic future of our nation as well as the future for our children and grandchildren are dependant on the choices that we make today. With each passing year we are becoming more dependant on China and other countries to produce our consumer goods, meanwhile more and more American jobs are being lost to factories in China, as these products that were formally made in America are now being made in overseas.
As this trend continues our trade deficits with China grows larger with each passing year, further indebting the US Government to another nation. Our national debt we owe China is over one million dollars every 42 seconds. This amount is so large, that few people can even read or comprehend this number and what it truly represents, meanwhile it is constantly growing.
In a nut shell, we are slowly self-destructing the economic manufacturing base of our nation and with that, the security of our families with each and every product that is Made In China.
The Mart & Big-Box Stores:
These corporations (and others) are largely responsible for this impending disaster that looms on the horizon. They are obsessed with acquiring low cost goods so as to promote higher sales and boost their corporate profits.
Now is the time for each American, to stand up and be counted with their power of their purchasing dollars with each and every transaction that you make, by requesting & demand items that are Made In America
American products create American jobs and a more sustainable future! Happy fourth of July everyone, thank you.
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A change is coming, the way we shop is changing and Project GreenBag is here to help. Starting today, any retailer with a physical store can get free of charge, even postage, a *free “We Welcome Reusable Bags” sticker!
Help phase out single use bags by encouraging customers to bring their own eco-friendly bag. Retailers display the sticker on their window front or next to the register were customers can easily see. The goal is to raise awareness and remind customers in a fun and friendly way to bring their own bag. The habit is easy to do once you get into the groove, but for those who don’t already bring their own bag it can be an awkward moment the first time. But, what if you knew the store you are shopping at welcomes reusable bags? This can alleviate fears or shyness.
The sticker has already made it’s debut in San Francisco and Los Angeles with over 500 stores proudly displaying them on their store windows. If you own a retailer store, visit www.ProjectGreenBag.com/Sticker and get your sticker today!
In addition to receiving a free sticker, we will add your business to our Project GreenBag supporter map. This map is viewable to the public and shows all retail locations that welcome reusable bags! To get your business on the map, simply email us a photo of your store with the sticker.
Image: “Therapy” 1445 Grant Avenue San Francisco, CA.
Image: “Caffé BaoNecci” 516 Green St San Francisco, CA.
* While supplies last. Free for a limited time, act fast.
In the late 1850/60s, many scientists and inventors were focused on a new field of research: the creation of the modern day paper bag. It was such a hot topic that the original designer is unknown. The three possible inventors are Margaret Knight, William Goodale, and Francis Wolle.
Margaret Knight was an employee in a paper bag factory when she invented a new machine part that would automatically fold and glue paper bags to create square bottoms for paper bags. Paper bags had been more like envelopes before. Workmen reportedly refused her advice when first installing the equipment because they mistakenly thought, “what does a woman know about machines?” Margaret Knight can be considered the mother of the grocery bag, she founded the Eastern Paper Bag Company in 1870.
Margaret Knight (Mattie) was born in 1838. She received her first patent at the age of 30, but inventing was always part of her life. Margaret or ‘Mattie’ as she was called in her childhood, made sleds and kites for her brothers while growing up in Maine. When she was just 12 years old, she had an idea for a stop-motion device that could be used in textile mills to shut down machinery, preventing workers from being injured.
Margaret Knight is considered one of “the female Edison,” and received some 26 patents for such diverse items as a window frame and sash, machinery for cutting shoe soles, and improvements to internal combustion engines. Margaret Knight’s paper bag machine made flat-bottomed paper bags that are still in use to this very day!
In the late 1850/60s, many scientists and inventors were focused on a new field of research: the creation of the modern day paper bag. It was such a hot topic that the original designer is unknown. The three possible inventors are Margaret Knight, William Goodale, and Francis Wolle.
Francis Wolle born in Jacobsburg, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1817 invented the paper bag making machine in 1852 in the United States. In 1852 he patented in the United States, and later in France and England, a machine that he devised for making paper bags. It was the first of its kind, and covers the fundamental principle of the many similar machines that are now used. Further advancements during the 1870s included glued paper sacks and the gusset design, producing the types of paper bags used today.
In 1869, Wolle and his brother and other leading paper bag makers founded the Union Paper Bag Machine Company. Union Bag and Paper Co.’s decision to open a plant in Savannah was great news to depressed Savannah in 1935. The company, founded by paper bag machine inventor Francis Wolle, opened its $4 million plant with 500 workers the next year. Savannah citizens streamed through the plant on opening day to ooh and ahh at the production of a thousand feet of paper per minute. The plant is still in operation today and is owned by International Paper.
Milestones:
–1852 Francis Wolle invents and patents paper bag machine.
–1869 Wolle and his brother and other paper bag makers found Union Paper Bag Machine Company.
–1870 Margret Knight invents a device to cut, fold and paste paper bag bottoms
–1871 Charles Annon files patent application similar to Knight’s design
–1871 Knight, filed a patent interference suit against Annan.and the court rules in her favor
–1872 132,890 (US) issued November 12, 1872 to Charles Annan for paper bag machine
–1883 Charles Stilwell awarded patent for making Square-Bottom Paper Bag w/ pleated sides
–1890 William Purvis awarded a patent for an improved paper bag machine
–1891 Purvis sells patent license to Union Paper Bag Machine Co., now part of International Paper
–1893 Death of Francis Wolle
Source: ideafinder.com
As part of the global day of action on 24 Oct 2009 a group of people came together in Central Hong Kong to highlight the target of 350 ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere.
“This week, Project Greenbag has teamed up with us to give away one of their stylish, 100% certified organic bags to a lucky OrganicNation.tv fan. The winner will receive a green “San Francisco” bag with a cool street car design that’s printed with eco-friendly inks.
These cute totes are not only reusable, recyclable and biodegradable, they’re also super strong – one bag holds up to 14 lbs so they’re perfect for a trip to your local farmer’s market, grocery store or even to hold your school books!”
http://ow.ly/ipHo
Reusable bags have become popular these days as people become aware of the negative impacts that shopping with a plastic/paper bags bring. Big retailers are jumping on board trying to green wash their products. This reusable bag retails for $160! What are they thinking? Answer – Profits.
Of course this is an extreme case, there are less expensive alternatives.
There are now 46,000 pieces of plastic per square kilometre of the world’s oceans, killing a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals each year. Worse still, there seems to be nothing we can do to clean it up. So how do we turn the tide? Read the story here
How would you like to see the Project GreenBag brand in Target stores? Sounds nice… however PGB may not be accepted at the current selling price. In order to compete with the less expensive bags made overseas, PGB would have to raise the retail price.
Other “green” bags are made in China, India or other countries where labor is cheaper and standards lower. Not to mention this adds CO2 during import.
What do you think? PGB in Target Stores at a cheaper price, or stay in the USA at a slightly higher but fair price?
