Since tote bags have been proven to be such an effective promotional item coupled with increasing demand for recycled, organic and sustainable products we wanted to explore where the industry was as of today. So, we went to two of the largest and most respected suppliers of tote bags within the advertising specialties industry. Jeremy Rich of Debco and Becky Yaniro and Sara McClellan of Leeds generously offered their expertise and knowledge in our search.
What are the most common recycled fabrics used for tote bags?
RPET Woven which is commonly referred to as Post-Consumer recycled plastics, and Recycled Non-Woven Polypropylene which is made from Post-Industrial (Pre-Consumer) recycled content.
What are the distinguishing characteristics and price points of each of those fabrics?
RPET Woven is made from 51% recycled plastic fibers that are spun or woven together with 49% polyester creating a texture very similar to the feel of 600D Polyester Canvas. The resulting fabric is lightweight, structured and very durable. The manufacturing process and the recycling of Post-Consumer material are more expensive than that of the corresponding Non-Woven fabric which makes use of Post-Industrial or Pre-Consumer content, so the price point is more of a premium. RPET Non-Woven is made from 100% recycled plastic fibers that have been bonded together, creating a soft texture. The process of making Non-Woven PET fabric is less expensive than the process of making woven PET fabric, so it is very budget-friendly while being eco-friendly or green. Non-Woven is the most inexpensive fabric used in our industry (besides paper or plastics) and, is the “darling” material of the industry today.
Are there certain recycled fabrics that are best for certain styles of tote bags?
RPET Non-Woven is great for economical shopper and convention totes, while RPET Woven is great for sportier totes, backpacks, drawstring bags and business cases which must withstand heavier use. The decision to use a bag made from either fabric can be an aesthetic preference for the client and dependent on what type of material they can afford and which matches the campaign within which the bag will be used.
Are there any safety concerns with recycled plastics or dyes used in the bags?
There are no major concerns with RPET. The plastic used is labeled as “Resin Code 1” which is the most widely used and safe plastic that is produced. Major suppliers and importers of these bags regularly test for lead content as well.
Are any of these recycled fabrics made in the USA? If so, which ones?
Most recycled fabrics come from China. It is possible to purchase US made recycled fabric, but the cost would be extremely high.
What are the recommended imprint methods for the different fabrics?
RPET Woven, RPET Non-Woven and eco-friendly fabrics such as hemp, jute and cotton can be beautifully decorated via screen print, transfer print and “perfect” print (four color process heat transfer) methods.
Are some fabrics or imprint methods best suited for full color reproduction?
Heat transfers are the most inexpensive way to reproduce full color graphics. They are economical to set-up, quick to print, and done with full color digital reproduction.
Are recycled totes any more costly than those made from standard materials?
RPET Woven and RPET Non-Woven are very competitive with their non-recycled counterparts, and can be less costly than polyester, nylon and cotton.
What organic or sustainable fabrics are available?
There are plenty of styles available in organic cotton, and sustainable fabrics such as bamboo, cork, standard cotton, hemp and jute.
Do they cost more than their standard counterparts?
The benefit of harvesting organic cotton does create a cost premium, and is roughly 30-35% higher priced than standard cotton. Organic cotton is US certified and approved by the Organic Exchange. And, the cotton fibers are spun from plants grown with organic matter without using toxins such as pesticides and insecticides, and are derived from organic seed.
Are there any fabric color or production limitations with organic materials?
There are no color limitations, but they are more costly because of the special dyes used to dye the natural fabric.
We hope this information is helpful to you when you are ready to purchase your next promotional tote. But, if it has left you with more questions, please contact us right away so that we can provide the information you need to make the best possible purchasing decision. TheMarketPro can be reached at 800-905-0073 or sales@themarketpro.net . Additional articles can be found at www.TheMarketPro.net in our “Going Green with Promotional Products” and “Coffee Break Reading” sections.
Sources: Becky Yaniro & Sarah McClellan, Leeds
Jeremy Rich, US National Sales Manager, Debco
Author: Connie King
Date: May 2009