Smartbags News

When Essex County Council were planning how they could promote their work with WRAP’s ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, they choose smartbags to produce a stylish and robust eco-friendly reusable bag. 

Working with Smartbags, a bespoke Non-woven rPET Shopper Bag was produced out of rPET or 90% recycled plastic bottles.  The bag is proudly emblazoned with the words: “I’m made from recycled plastic bottles”.

According to Lisa Cross, Waste Prevention and Recycling Officer, at Essex County Council the reusable bags are so popular they have to limit their appearances to ensure they aren’t snapped up too quickly.  

“We’ve received a terrific response to the bags.  Not only are they attractive and eye-catching, but they are durable and strong, making them a real crowd pleaser”. said Lisa.

The Council cleverly uses the eco bags as part of its integrated marketing strategy and uses them as competition prizes and incentives for people signing up to receive its online newsletter for instance.  

Smartbags guided Essex County Council through the process of ordering a reusable bag from advising on the best material to meet their objectives to the most appropriate stitching and handle as well as its design, print and the final delivery.  

“Smartbags made what was quite an in-depth process simple and straight-forward, “ said Lisa. “They also ensured that I was completely satisfied at every stage. “I can only describe the Shopper Bags as brilliant.  The value that we have got from them has been great. There aren’t many marketing tools that would have achieved all our objectives better and for such a reasonable cost.”

Essex County Council’s rPET Shopper Bag is a strong, robust bag at 150grams and has the look and feel of cotton or canvas.

See Wrap UK and Recycle for Essex for more information on these initiatives.

To find out more about producing an eco-friendly reusable bag for promotions, please do browse our reusable bag product range or contact matt@smartbags.co.uk to find out more.