Totes are among the most versatile and valued promotional items a company can offer, ranging from simple paper shoppers to heavy canvas boat totes and everything in between. At Rimco, our mission is to guide clients toward products that enhance their brand value while supporting a sustainable future. By highlighting the environmental harm caused by plastics, we offer eco-friendly alternatives. Inexpensive non-woven and plastic totes are often quickly discarded, whereas higher-end totes made from natural fabrics are valued, retained, and provide long-term exposure for advertising dollars. For a project requiring a more affordable carrier, we recommend considering paper. Modern paper totes are stylish, washable, biodegradable, and offer a great canvas for graphics.
Natural fabrics have been used for centuries for bags and other carriers. Only in the last 100 years have we integrated man-made materials with natural fibers. Most man-made materials consist of poly or recycled plastic spun into fibers, which are then woven into 100% poly materials or blended with natural fabrics like cotton to enhance certain qualities of the product. While many people are aware of the environmental dangers posed by single-use plastic bags (and many regions have now banned them), they might not realize that popular totes often contain recycled plastic. When totes with plastics are carried, washed and then disposed of, the plastic sheds and breaks down into micro plastics. Through water ways and into our ocean, they are ingested by plankton and cycled up through the food chain.
Educating clients on the benefits of natural fabrics over poly or recycled plastic totes involves raising awareness and promoting sustainable choices. Checking labels reveal the fabric content; if it mentions polyester, polyamide, nylon, spandex, or microfibers, consider opting for another tote. By emphasizing the environmental and health benefits of natural fibers, clients can make informed choices that help reduce plastic pollution and support healthier ecosystems for future generations.
Progress is being made producing fabrics from renewable resources. One company, Soarce, is using “seaweed to create versatile fabrics that range from tough to super soft, all without using plastic.” https://soarceusa.com