Corn Based Plastic Products

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Penny Fleming

For more Eco Friendly Promotional Products look here

Bamboo Promotional Socks with YOUR logo

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Penny Fleming

Billboard Bags

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Penny Fleming

Billboard Bags

Make a difference… truly… by turning used advertising into stylish promotional bags. Your brand will scream, “I’m green” when you save your used billboards from the landfill and make it into a tote, duffel, drawstring, wine bag and more. Don’t miss the opportunity to put billboard signs to good us making stylish bags.

Consider this:

The billboards that you see on the highway are made from an extremely durable, long lasting vinyl, which, it turns out, makes a great bag!
These bags are made in America so your not only helping the planet you’re doing a good bit for our little corner of it as well.
Not only are you re-using material to make something else, there is practically zero energy wasted or pollution created to do so. So unlike rPET this material is used AS IS. You couldn’t make a bag out of coke bottle AS IS. Or could you? Hmm. Next year…

FAQ

You probably have some questions:

Q: Who provides the billboards?
A: You Do! Billboard bag recycling is a way to REUSE old advertising by giving it new life as a promotional bag.
Q: How many bags can I yield from my billboards?
A: That depends on the size of the billboard and the bag you choose. Landes publishes the square feet necessary for each bag style and simple division can provide the yield for your billboard. So, determine the square feet for your billboard by multiplying height x width and then divide the published square feet of the bag into that number.
Q: Are the billboards cleaned?
A: Yes. We thoroughly clean the billboards with soap and water. Some marks, blemishes and creases in the vinyl will not come out with this process and will be present on the bags.
Q: Can you use banners such as pole banners?
A: Yes, but the smaller the banner the more waste that occurs and a $8 (v) service charge applies to all billboards or banners less than 382 square feet.
Q: Can I pick and choose what image from the billboard lands on the front of the bag?
A: No. Our processes and pricing require that these bags be produced in mass which means we cannot control what image lands where and images will not necessarily be right side up either. Remember, this program is intended as a recycling effort and we want to use as much of the vinyl as possible.
Q: Can certain logos or faces be removed from the billboard so they don’t show up on a bag?
A: Yes, however a service charge of $15 (v) will be accessed for each cutout required. This can only be done on billboard larger than 382 sq ft.
Q: How are the bags decorated?
A: A 2.5” x 2.5” tag is sewn to the outside of the bag that typically features a logo along with the message about this bag being made from recycled billboards.
Q: Can a different size tag be used other than 2.5” x 2.5”?
A: Yes, however a setup fee of $50 (v) will be incurred. And any size larger than 6.5 sq. inches will incur a run charge of $.02 net per each extra sq in of tag. Consult the factory for a specific quote.
Q: Is there any special paperwork required?
A: Yes. We have a Billboard Material receipt form that must be filled out when shipping material to us. Without this document we have not way of knowing whose material is being received.
Q: What is the production time?
A: Standard production time is 15-20 working days from receipt of the billboard vinyl.
Q: Can I have different tag arts for different billboards?
A: No. The mass production nature of the process prohibits us from distinguishing one billboard from another.
Q: There are other materials such as Eco-Flexx that billboards are made from. Can we use those?
A: Yes. Most materials that billboards are made from can be used. We cannot use any type of paper however.

Just what is Jute Fiber?

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Penny Fleming

Burlap Chic

Jute, also popularly known as BURLAP, is one of the cheapest natural fibers. It is a long, shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced from plants in the genus Corchorus, family Tiliaceae. It is composed primarily of cellulose, which is the main building material of all plants. The jute plant needs only rain water and very few fertilizers or pesticides to grow, making it easy and environmentally friendly to cultivate.

The jute industry supports an estimated 5 million people in the poorest regions on Earth. Jute has gained popularity recently because of its eco-friendly nature.

Here are some facts that make this fiber very environmentally friendly –

The fabric is very durable and has the life span of over thousand plastic bags.
It is a renewable and sustainable resource.
It is 100% biodegradable. When discarded, jute totally decomposes, returning valuable nutrients back into soil.
It does not pollute our atmosphere as it only produces non toxic gases.

One hectare of Jute plants consumes over 15 tons of carbon dioxide, several times higher than trees.

Ready to get creative with your textiles, then contact us today to see how we can help!

What is Organic Cotton?

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Penny Fleming

I was reading on the Organic Trade Association website and I thought you would find this information very interesting. Of all organic fibers, organic cotton is one of the most popular. Here are some facts about the growing organic cotton industry.

Organically grown cotton doesn't use harmful pesticides.

What is “organic cotton?”
Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. In addition, federal regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered seed for organic farming. All cotton sold as organic in the United States must meet strict federal regulations covering how the cotton is grown.

How much organic cotton is grown globally?
According to the fourth annual Organic Exchange Farm and Fiber Report 2009, organic cotton production grew an impressive 20 percent over 2007/08 to 175,113 metric tons (802,599 bales) grown on 625,000 acres (253,000 hectares). Organic cotton now represents 0.76 percent of global cotton production.

Organic cotton was grown in 22 countries worldwide with the Top Ten producer countries led by India and including (in order of rank) Turkey, Syria, Tanzania, China, United States, Uganda, Peru, Egypt and Burkina Faso. Approximately 220,000 farmers grew the fiber.

Organic textiles are far superior in quality and value

What is the value of the global organic cotton market?
According to the Organic Cotton Market Report 2009 released by Organic Exchange in May 2010, global sales of organic cotton apparel and home textile products reached an estimated $4.3 billion in 2009. This reflects a 35 percent increase from the $3.2 billion market recorded in 2008. Companies reported significant growth of their organic cotton programs, and increased adoption of standards addressing organic product traceability and sustainable textile processing.
In fact, companies are increasingly becoming certified to traceability standards such as the Organic Exchange (OE) Blended or OE 100 standard tracing the organic fiber from the field to finished product. Many manufacturers also became certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) which addresses textile’s processing stages and includes strong labor provisions.

How much organic cotton is grown in the U.S.?
U.S. growers of organic cotton increased plantings of organic cotton acreage by 26 percent in 2009 over that planted the previous year, according to preliminary data collected by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) in a survey funded by Cotton Incorporated.

Analysis of available data collected by an OTA survey of U.S. organic cotton producers and preliminary data from the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (TOCMC) put planted area at 10,731 acres in 2009, up from an estimated 8,539 acres in 2008. The 2009 plantings are the highest since 2001, when 11,586 acres were planted by U.S. cotton growers.

Harvested acreage figures for 2009 are not yet available. However, estimates show that this could be as much as 9,555 acres, up from 7,289 acres harvested in 2008.

Chic Organic TotesOrganic

Harvested organic cotton area in 2008 yielded 7,026 bales, of which 6,466 bales were upland cotton and 560 bales were pima cotton. This yield was significantly less than the 14,025 bales of organic cotton harvested from 8,510 acres in 2007. These yield differences reflected the extremely difficult weather conditions, including wind, hail and drought, in 2008 in contrast to excellent growing conditions in 2007.

Other survey findings revealed that the average price per pound farmers received for organic cotton in 2008 decreased from the previous year and ranged from 52 cents to $1.35 for organic upland cotton in 2008, compared to $1 to $1.50 in 2007. Organic pima cotton prices ranged from $1.05 to $3 in 2007, compared to $1.75 in 2008.

When asked what their greatest barriers are to planting more cotton in 2010, growers cited finding a market for their cotton, finding a market that will pay value-added costs of organic products, production challenges such as weeds and insects, weed control, and labor costs. Growers also cited competition from international organic cotton producers as well as the cost of transition to organic.

At Earth Happy Promos, we cater to organic clothing and textile preferences. Call us today to make your request.

Earth Happy Promos

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Penny Fleming

Green is a whole new language

Green is not another product. It’s an entirely new language. To understand what makes things green requires a whole new outlook on the world; it requires rethinking everything from the way we go about our daily life to how we run a business to understanding what our foot step really means. So to say your going green is a life style change and you can not simply say, ‘I’m green.’ It is a hard process, but we’re here to help.

Earth Happy Promos is dedicated to supplying a breadth of environmentally responsible merchandise to businesses and individuals interested in sustainability and respecting our natural resources.

EarthHappyPromos is the only, totally “green”, full line promotional products company in the ASI (Ad Specialties Industry) interested in reducing your landfill usage while projecting your environmental goals. Our mission is centered on reducing landfill use, providing exceptional service at affordable prices for our clients.

Earth Happy Promos researches and verifies our products to be one or more; reusable, recyclable, recycled, energy-efficient, organic, biodegradable. We’re here to help you make the right decision in promoting your business responsibly.

Visit Earth Happy Promos today to see how you can brand your business green!

Definition of “Organic”

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Penny Fleming

‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.

The definition of “organic” was passed by the National Organic Standards Board (OSB) at its April 1995 meeting in Orlando, FL.

Earth Happy Promos has a number of organic promotional items, from luxury organic clothing to organic totes and bags. Browse our website or give us a call. We’re happy to answer any questions you have and look forward to helping you with your eco-branding needs!

What’s Polypropylene?

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Penny Fleming

Eco-Totes: Better Than Plastic

This material is defined as a web or sheet of polypropylene fibers bonded together by entangling fiber or filaments mechanically, thermally or chemically. They are flat, porous sheets that are made directly from separate fibers. They are not made by weaving or knitting and do not require converting the fibers to yarn.

Nonwoven polypropylene is the new miracle fabric. It’s a recyclable plastic fabric that’s often used to make promotional tote bags. Nonwoven polypropylene is a practical fabric because it’s strong and extremely lightweight, so it’s convenient to carry as well as inexpensive to ship. The fabric is also comfortable and soft and is commonly used to make surgical masks and gowns.

How are Non-Woven Polypropylene Bags Eco-Friendly?

Nonwoven polypropylene bags promote a greener earth because they are reusable, easy to clean, recyclable, and sometimes made with recycled products. These bags can be quickly wiped clean, and some of them are machine washable in cold water if they are drip dried. Most nonwoven polypropylene bags are also made of 5-type recyclable plastic. Reusing and recycling them could save many standard plastic bags from sitting in a landfill. After the non-woven polypropylene bags have been recycled, they may even be made into new totes.

Even though non woven polypropylene is recyclable, not all recycling centers accept type 5 plastic. If people are not in the habit of recycling, then the extra step of finding a center that recycles number 5 plastic may prevent some bags from being recycled. Also, people may be less likely to recycle these bags because the snaps, zippers, and inserts need to be removed before recycling.

An extra task or two could make or break whether or not something reaches the recycling bin. Keep in mind that nonwoven polypropylene bags may take hundreds of years to break down in a landfill; this is much longer than standard shopping bags because nonwoven polypropylene bags are thicker. However, the convenience of reusing the bags could outweigh any recycling obstacles and still effectively promote recycling awareness.

What are Some Additional Benefits of Non-Woven Polypropylene Bags?

It uses less energy to create nonwoven polypropylene bags than it does to create cotton bags. If more American companies begin producing nonwoven polypropylene materials, then the pollutants could be decreased and nonwoven polypropylene will become even more environmentally-friendly.

Nonwoven polypropylene bags are excellent and affordable promotional items because they can be made in many different colors and easily printed with company names.

What Exactly is Polypropylene?

It is a plastic that is manufactured through a high heat source. It’s molecular formula is (C3 H6)x. There are a few different names such as Polypropene, Polipropene 25, Propylene polymers, and more.

What are Some Properties of Polypropylene?

It is rough and resistant to other chemicals. Polypropylene is also tough, but also flexible. This makes the material to be used easily for chemical and plastic engineering experiments because it is so tough and flexible.

It is also economical because it can be reused. The fabric that is made is tough and durable so that it can be reused in different forms after being manufactured. Polypropylene fabric can be translucent, but because it does not fade very easily, most people use polypropylene as a colored fabric. So, the fabric can be dyed and will not fade easily.

Industry

Polypropylene’s melting point is approximately 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the chemicals have been bonded, they are melted and pressed through tight rollers that will make a thin fabric. This process is called extrusion and molding. As opposed to cotton or other natural fibers, which are woven, polypropylene is not woven. Many people in the fabric industry refer to these types of materials as “non-wovens.” Cotton’s fibers are typically spun into threads and woven together, but polypropylene is pressed into a fabric.

There are other finishes that can be applied to the finished fabric. Different types of finishes will produce different results. Some finishes are applied that will help the fabric accept ink better, which is better for imprinting. Some finishes will help repel other chemicals and solutions.

What are Some Uses of Polypropylene?

The polypropylene is used in a number of different fabric styles. These non-woven fabrics can be used to produce non-woven bags. Shirts are also manufactured using the non-woven material, such as Under Armor. The polypropylene properties keep sweat off of the body. It can also be used in ropes and other packaging materials. Surgeons are even using the fabric in hernia operations. After fixing the hernia, the doctor places the fabric over the area to prevent future blow-outs.

Most importantly, the non-woven fabric can be recycled, which is great for the environment. The resin identification code is number 5, and most recycling centers will accept these bags to be recycled.

Get your eco-friendly totes today, and why not customize them with your business image or logo?

Biodegradable Balloons

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Penny Fleming

Image Source: Justin Langlois Photography

A latex balloon is made from 100 percent organic material and it’s 100 percent biodegradable. Stress caused by inflation starts this decomposition cycle. Exposure to sunlight accelerates the process — oxygen and ozone continue the molecular attack even in the dark. Deterioration is clearly evident within a few hours — it begins to oxidize or “frost” — and soon the balloon will break apart. Research has shown that under similar conditions latex decomposes as quickly as an oak leaf.

Balloon Releases: Environmental Fact or Fiction?

Erroneous reports about balloons and balloon releases harming the environment have appeared in major newspapers and on national TV news programs. Many of these reports contain inaccurate claims made by well-intentioned people who care deeply about the earth’s ecology — but lack the facts.

Balloons used in special event releases constitute only a small fraction of the industry’s sales. Unfortunately, these spurious claims have caused a chilling effect at the local level and unnecessary financial strain on many of America’s small, independent balloon retailers who depend on special events as a major source of their livelihoods. Small industries such as delivery and decorating services also suffer.

Most consumers don’t have the time or inclination to sort through bad information disguised as fact — often resulting in a negative perception that balloons are bad.

Latex balloons are sometimes confused with plastic items and lumped in with the plastics litter problem. The oft-used phrase, “latex balloons and other plastics” is improper. Latex is not a plastic. It’s organic, made from the sap of rubber trees collected through an absolutely harmless tapping process very simple to that used for collecting the maple sap used for making syrup.

Moreover, latex balloons are totally biodegradable — the only type of balloon used in a professionally produced mass release. A latex balloon’s molecular structure begins breaking down with inflation and gathers momentum when exposed to sunlight and the atmosphere. Within three hours, most latex balloons released into the atmosphere rise to approximately five miles, begin to oxidize, freeze and shatter into spaghetti-like pieces. Once on the ground gases and microorganisms attack the latex, continuing the natural decomposition process — even in the dark. So go ahead by balloons from the premier online eco-solution source.

What Does Green Really Mean?

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Penny Fleming

Ever wonder what “green” really means? Check out our guide to green to make sure you know your choices because there’s a lot more to green than just the color!

Products labeled recycled are made from materials that have been used and reprocessed into something else. The materials in recyclable products are able to be recycled, if the user disposes of them in a recycling facility. They can, but may not necessarily, be used to make a recycled product. There is nothing inherently environmentally friendly about a recyclable product.

Bamboo

Bamboo fabric is a natural textile that is light and strong, has excellent wicking properties and is naturally antibacterial. Bamboo fiber resembles cotton in its unspun form, a puffball of light, airy fibers. Extensive bleaching is needed to turn the fiber white, but companies producing organic fabric leave it unbleached. Bamboo fabric is favored by companies looking for sustainable textiles because the plant grows quickly and generally doesn’t require pesticides or herbicides. The fabric also has insulating properties to keep the wearer cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Jute

Jute is a completely biodegradable fiber. Though it’s found most in materials such as burlap, innovations with jute have made it possible to use it to construct a silk-like material. Jute is abundant in Southeast Asia and inexpensive to produce.

Biodegradable

A product deemed biodegradable can, under suitable conditions, break down into its natural parts and disappear without any harm to the environment – imagine a banana peel. Some biodegradable products take years to fully decompose.

Bioplastics

Plastics derived from renewable, biological sources, including vegetable oil and corn, rather than petroleum. All bio- and petroleum-based plastics are technically biodegradable under the right conditions, and some petrochemical-based plastics may be added to bioplastics to improve performance. Most bioplastics only degrade in strict commercial composting.

Compostable

Similar to biodegradable, compostable products can be disposed of in nature. Composting is the act of – either small-scale organically or in a large, industrial system – helping organic matters decompose. Compost can then be used in landscaping and agriculture as a fertilizer. Commercially compostable products have to decompose within a certain time frame, usually a few weeks – much more quickly than compostable and biodegradable products – under tightly controlled conditions.

Energy Efficiency

The most efficient products require the least energy to generate the most output. For example, compact fluorescent light bulbs use far less energy than typical incandescent lights while producing the same brightness; therefore, they are more energy-efficient. Engineers compute energy efficiency using a ratio, written as a decimal between 0 and 1. The closer a method’s ratio is to 1, the more efficient it is.

LED Light Bulbs

Though slightly more expensive than fluorescent or halogen bulbs, LED lights have a much higher energy-efficiency ratio. The electric bill savings more than makes up for their higher sticker prices. Additionally, if every house and business in the United States switched a handful of light bulbs to LED lights, several fossil-fuel burning power plants could be closed.

Fair Trade

A model of international trade and a social movement that supports paying a fair price and upholding social and environmental standards, particularly relating to exports from developing and Third World countries.

Latex Balloons

Though one balloon can take up to six months to break down, the latex is biodegradable and innocuous to the environment. When balloons land in water, they can be dangerous to turtles and other water-dwellers, so many environmentalists oppose large, organized balloon releases.

Organic Cotton

Grown without pesticides and from plants that are not genetically modified, organic cotton is popular among fair-traders and agricultural purists. Organic farming requires crop rotation to reduce pests and maintain soil nutrients. This, in combination with lower abundance due to no genetic modifications, makes it more expensive to produce. It can cost the end user 20 to 50 percent more.

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

This material is the recyclable part of plastic soda and water bottles. It has been used in the past to make everything from clothes and carpet to more bottles.

Pre-Consumer or Post-Industrial vs. Post-Consumer

During any manufacturing process, some materials are inevitably scrapped. Instead of throwing these scraps away, some companies use them for other purposes. These are pre-consumer recycled materials. Post-consumer recycled materials come from items that have been used and then recycled.

Recycled Leather

Products made from this material are surprisingly controversial. Intuitively, making products from already-used leather lessens the need to slaughter animals for more. Hard-line opponents of leather, however, say the popularity of the recycled material will only increase overall demand for leather and will lead to more unethical treatment of animals.

Soy Candles

Candles are commonly made with paraffin, a petroleum-based hydrocarbon. This type of candle releases pollutants into the air when burned and only adds to the world’s petroleum dependency. Candles made from soy wax or vegetable oil pose a much cleaner-burning alternative.

Synthetic Polarfleece

Though the craze may have died down, fleece jackets are still cozy and popular. This light and soft wool-alternative is made from spun polyester and can be produced entirely from recycled plastic soda bottles.

Your Green Guide

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Penny Fleming

	YOUR GREEN GUIDE Recycled – having been used before and then processed so that it can form a new product. Recycling – when paper, glass, plastic etc. is put through a process so that it can be used again.
	NON-Polluting – intentionally taking steps to avoid making an area or substance, usually air, water or earth, dirty or harmful to people, animals and plants, especially by adding harmful chemicals.
	Ethical – adhering to ethical and moral principles (eg ‘It seems ethical and right’). Conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behaviour.
	Sustainable – able to continue over a period of time: Causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time.
	Biodegradable – able to decay naturally and harmlessly: Biodegradable products and packaging helps to limit the amount of harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere.
	Organic – not using artificial chemicals in the growing of plants and animals for food and other products.
	Fair Trade – Trade carried on under a fair-trade agreement. A way of buying and selling products that makes certain that the original producer receives a fair price. Our Mission: Earth Happy is just that, a company that wants to keep our earth happy by providing a wide variety of eco-friendly promotional products to meet your specific needs and create a unique quality product that showcases your company or business. Visit www.EarthHappyPromos.com

Willie Smits: Fighting Deforesation and Saving Orangutans

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Penny Fleming

Having just gotten back from the Galapagos and the Amazon, I was already planning my next trip. Whenever I think of my travel plans, I don’t think “where do I want to go?” but rather, “What do I want to do?”

Well, this time I want to play with the Orangutans. While researching about this, I came across a wonderful man by the name of Willie Smits. Perhaps you’ve heard of him or seen him at one of his TED talks?

Here’s what TED has to say about him:

Willie Smits works at the complicated intersection of humankind, the animal world and our green planet. In his early work as a forester in Indonesia, he came to a deep understanding of that triple relationship, as he watched the growing population of Sulawesi move into (or burn for fuel) forests that are home to the orangutan. These intelligent animals were being killed for food, traded as pets or simply failing to thrive as their forest home degraded.

Smits believes that to rebuild orangutan populations, we must first rebuild their forest habitat — which means helping local people find options other than the short-term fix of harvesting forests to survive. His Masarang Foundation raises money and awareness to restore habitat forests around the world — and to empower local people. In 2007, Masarang opened a palm-sugar factory that uses thermal energy to turn sugar palms (fast-growing trees that thrive in degraded soils) into sugar and even ethanol, returning cash and power to the community and, with luck, starting the cycle toward a better future for people, trees and orangs.

If you get a chance, check out his TED talk on restoring a rainforest. Willie’s homepage is the Masarang Foundation and his non-profit is called Orangutan Outreach. You can also follow him on Twitter @redapes.

Non-Woven Bags Overview

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Penny Fleming

Advanced ultrasonic heat sealing technology

Earth Happy Promos non-woven bags are made of premium polypropylene produced with ultrasonic heat sealing, the most advanced production technology. This method produces stronger and more attractive bags than traditional sewing methods can accomplish.

Our non-woven bags feature

• 100% recyclable, degradable materials
• Eco-friendly non-woven polypropylene fabric
• Digital production to ensure accuracy and consistent quality
• Fast turn-around time
• Unlimited styles and dimensions
• A variety of seam patterns and handle styles

One of the few true eco-friendly bags on the market

Unlike woven fabrics such as cotton and bamboo, whose production normally creates heavy emissions, the production of the material used in our non-woven bags does not create toxic emissions. Earth Happy Promos non-woven bags offer significant eco-friendly advantages — they are reusable, recycled/recyclable and (photo/bio) degradable. If they do ever end up in landfills, Earth Happy Promos non-woven bags naturally degrade to nontoxic powder and don’t take up any space. And the water-based ink used in printing our non-woven bags is also friendly to the environment. So our bags don’t have any negative impact on the environment, unlike other bags made of nylon, polyester and PET.

Customized to fit your requirements

Our non-woven bags are available in unlimited styles and dimensions and with various seam patterns and handle styles. Each order is produced according to the customer’s specifications for style, dimensions, color, weight, ink color, image size, image location, and packaging. Custom labels and packaging are also available.

Bag dimensions, styles, seam patterns, handle styles, and quantities are all digitally programmed to ensure accuracy and consistent quality.

Cost-effective and stylishly effective

Because we offer factory-direct sales, with minimal overhead, and because of our efficient production methods, we are able to reduce costs to offer you attractively priced solutions for brand awareness and promotion. Your end customers will use these eco-friendly and stylish bags for a variety of purposes, all of which provide a walking advertisement for your business or organization.

High quality backed by superior customer service

We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service, from first contact to final delivery of your order, and we guarantee customer satisfaction.

We offer free artwork conversion and free set-up, and we do not charge for plates. A virtual sample will be provided at no charge. A pre-production sample can also be ordered for an additional charge. (Ordering a pre-production sample will affect the timing on the order.

Laminated Bags

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Penny Fleming

laminated promotional bags offer stunning full-color reproduction of your images. Images can be printed on all surfaces of the bag — front, back, sides, bottom, and even on the inside.

Our laminated bags feature

• Beautiful full-color reproduction bottom of laminated bags spot image
• Quality construction
• Full customization
• Durability (can hold 100+ pounds)
• Fast turn-around
• Eco-friendly inks
We can produce our laminated bag in any size you require. We offer a number of options for material, weight, handles, and piping — as well as for pockets, labels, zipper closures, and more. We also offer a wide variety of styles, including tote bags, messenger bags, insulated cooler bags, gift bags, square corners, rounded corners, round bottoms, die-cut handles, and more. If you can imagine it, we can make it!

PepsiCo unveils 100 percent plant-based bottle

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Penny Fleming

Remember the Cola Wars? Get ready for the Bottle Wars.

PepsiCo Inc. says it has created a new plastic bottle made entirely of plant material. It says its technology tops competitor Coca-Cola’s similar bottle when it comes to reducing its carbon footprint.

The bottle is made from switch grass, pine bark, corn husks and other materials. Pepsi plans one day also to use orange peels, potato scraps and other leftovers from its food business.

The new bottle looks, feels and protects the drink inside the same as its current traditional plastic bottles.

Coca-Cola Co. currently makes a bottle composed of 30 percent plant-based materials. It recently estimated it would be several years before it has a 100 percent plant-based bottle that’s commercially viable.

The discovery potentially changes the industry standard for plastic packaging. Traditional plastic, called PET, is used in beverage bottles, food pouches, coatings and other common products.

The plastic is the go-to because it’s lightweight and shatter-resistant, its safety is well-researched and it doesn’t affect flavors. It is not biodegradable or compostable. But it is fully recyclable, a characteristic both companies maintain in their new creations.

Traditional PET plastic is made using fossil fuels, like petroleum, a limited resource that’s rising in price. By using plant material instead, companies reduce their environmental impact. Pepsi says the new plastic will cost about the same as traditional plastic.

The company, based in Purchase, N.Y., said it has had dozens of people working on the process for years. While PepsiCo wouldn’t specify the cost to research and design the new bottle, Papalia said it is in the millions of dollars.

It’s one of several steps PepsiCo has taken recently to reduce its environmental impact. The company created a fully compostable bag for its SunChips line. It cut the amount of plastic in its Aqua-Fina bottle in 2009. And its Naked Juice line is in the midst of switching to a bottle made entirely of recycled plastic bottles.

PepsiCo says of its 19 biggest brands, those that generate more than $1 billion in revenue, 11 are beverage brands that use PET. The company says the packaging will cost roughly the same as it does today.

PepsiCo plans to test the product in 2012 in a few hundred thousand bottles. Once the company is sure it can successfully produce the bottle at that scale, it will begin converting all its products over.