US: Command Packaging make reusable bags for grocery stores

Command Packaging, a US manufacturer of reusable shopping and restaurant bags, today announced that it will invest up to $25 million to manufacture bag ban compliant plastic reusable bags. In anticipation of the Los Angeles bag ban, and a possible California statewide law, Command Packaging has engineered an affordable and sustainable plastic reusable bag called smarterbags™.

Made from recycled agricultural plastic collected in California, smarterbags™ are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to single-use paper bags and imported reusable bags. According to a Chico State University study, smarterbags™ have a lower carbon footprint compared to imported reusable or paper bags.

“Our retail customers and the consumer are looking for a cost-effective and sustainable solution where bag bans have been implemented. The smarterbags™ solution is sensible, simple, and sustainable,” Pete Grande, CEO of Command Packaging and smarterbags™ said. “It's time to address the single-use grocery bag issue without initiating a return to less environmentally friendly options like paper bags.”

Smarterbags™ meet all standards to qualify as reusable bags in California cities that have implemented bag ban ordinances. Smarterbags™ are strong and are engineered to be used 125 times. The product is easy to carry, easy to use, and durable in all types of weather. Sold for the same 10 cent price point as single-use paper bags, smarterbags™ are both environmentally and economically beneficial for consumers.

"We are creating ways to take advantage of using "smarter" plastic. By manufacturing affordable, plastic reusable bags we will reduce the number of bags used in California," Grande said. "When we recycle with a purpose, we are diverting plastic from landfills. The diverted plastic is recycled and used to manufacture other necessary products, creating a closed-loop. Recycling with the purpose to reduce the number of bags used by consumers is the goal of smarterbags™.”

According to US government reports, the California agricultural industry uses more than 100 million pounds of plastic each year and virtually all of that is sent to landfills. Command Packaging is the first US company to adopt and implement the successful European recycling model which requires agricultural plastic to be recycled and used in the manufacturing of other recyclable products like reusable grocery bags.

For more information:
Erin Grande, National Sales Manager
smarterbags™
Email: Erin@smarterbags.com

Publication date: Thu 26 Sep 2013