Trust from Customers & Commitment to Progressive Values

Contact: Ellen Ornato, VP Strategic Marketing & Fun
Eco-Bags Products, Inc.
Office: 914.944.4556, ext. 108
Or
Jennifer Cosgrove, Account Supervisor
Rob Bailey Communications
Office: 201.760.0200, ext.108
Westchester, NY – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in our country each year. According to the WordWatch Institute, only about 23 billion (0.06%) of these bags are recycled. Which begs the question, what happens to the other 357 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps?

In 1989, environmental activist and eco-prenuer Sharon Rowe offered a solution in the battle against plastic bag waste - - recycled and reusable bags made from organic and natural materials. Eco-Bags Products, Inc., a sustainable, Fair Wage/Fair Labor company, was founded with an aspiration to “clean the planet, one bag at a time™;.”

With a classic “little engine that could” business story, the persistence and vision of ECOBAGS^® Founder and CEO, Sharon Rowe, is beginning to pay off. Her company’s 2008 projected sales of nearly $4M are almost double what they reported in 2007; this eco-friendly, NY-based company has “tipped” and is now positioned as both a thought and industry leader in the reusable bags/sustainable practices segment of the green marketplace. In fact, Eco-Bags is one of the biggest success stories in the fastest growing business sector in America – Green Products and Services.

“We started our business by simply seeding the minds of consumers with a simple concept based on our own aversion to single use – mostly thin plastic supermarket bags,” says Sharon. “From there, an entire cottage industry has blossomed.”

“We jump started the Bring Your Own Bag “BYOB” movement with the forward thinking, early adapters in the natural foods industry. There has been a true paradigm shift in the last 18 months evidenced by the fact that there are widespread plastic bag bans coming into effect and people are thinking about how much trash they contribute to the waste stream” she adds, noting that where there used to be five key competitors for Eco-Bags there are now 50. “Competition just makes us get better,” says Rowe.

According to the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), the LOHAS (acronym for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) marketplace, which includes companies and consumers who are concerned with health, values, sustainability, and eco-positive practices, accounted for $209 billion in sales in 2005. That number is expected to double in size and grow past $400 billion by the year 2010. Eco-Bags Products, Inc. is proud to promote a LOHAS lifestyle and work ethic, making them prime beneficiaries of this projected market growth.

So what are the ECOBAGS^® strategies for staying ahead of the green curve? Expanded & innovative product lines, true certifications of Fair Wage/Fair Labor standards and outstanding customer service. “It’s a combination of all of these factors,” says Rowe.

“We source ourECOBAGS^® products based on quality of materials & workmanship but also with a commitment to fair wage & fair labor standards. This is crucially important and is one of the reasons our customers have continued to shop with us over the years,” says Rowe, who also encourages consumers to understand what they’re buying. “Not all reusable bags are created equal, not all products are produced under safe or fair working conditions and our commitment to really high quality products at great prices sets us apart.”

ECOBAGS^® has brand new items available for fall, winter, spring and summer. All products are guaranteed Fair Wage/Fair Labor and are available at www.ecobags.com.

Eco-Bags Products, Inc or www.ecobags.com is an eco-friendly lifestyle products company that was founded in 1989 and is based in Ossining, NY. ECOBAGS^® brand products are available for sale online at www.ecobags.com and through retailers nationwide.  Products include Canvas & Lightweight Totes for Shopping and Promotions in Recycled, Organic & Natural Fibers, Lunch Bags, Classic String Bags™, Produce Bags, GREENBAGS®, Design Totes with Quotes and Custom Print and Design Bags.  All ECOBAGS^® products are manufactured Fair Wage/Fair Labor.