Chico Bags – An Unforgettable Alternative to Plastic
Who could have predicted that a landscaping project could result in an all-out campaign to change the way people think about the way they handle their shopping?
On a routine trip to the landfill to dispose of some yard waste, Chico, CA resident Andy Keller was horrified by the amount of trash piled up, including plastic bags blowing about in the wind. He decided to do something about it – and Chico Bags was born.
The Chico Bag is a reusable shopping bag – but with a twist. Unlike the familiar canvas or nylon totes that are becoming so popular, the Chico Bag’s very design begs it to be taken along. And that’s the point.
If you are in the habit of bringing reusable bags along when you do your shopping, you know how easy it is forget them. Even if you stash them in the trunk of your car, it’s not unusual to remember they’re there only when you’re at the checkout with five people in line behind you. Plus, they’re big and bulky and take up a lot of space in your shopping cart.
Chico Bags, which resemble the plastic shopping bags they’re designed to replace, are made from a durable but lightweight polyester fabric and come with an integrated stuff sack. The 18″ x 14.5″ bags stuff down into a petite 3″x4 package easy to stash in a purse or pocket. What’s more, each bag includes a metal ring with a spring hook. Attach it to your belt loop or backpack strap, or use it as an outsized key chain, and you now have a bag that’s truly unforgettable!
The Chico Bag is available in a rainbow of cheery colors and three styles:
• the 25 lb.-capacity Original,
• the heavy-duty Vita, which folds out to 19″ x 15.5″ and can hold up to 40 lbs., and
• this reviewer’s favorite, the rePETe Original.This bag is the same as the original, but made from 99% recycled content and proudly sports the phrase, “This bag is made from 7 plastic bottles!”
The original bag is also available as limited edition options. Most notable is the EarthShare “Pay it Forward” kit, which includes two bags – one for you and one to pass on to a friend as a random act of kindness.
Besides making their bags available online, Chico Bags are available wholesale and can be printed with your company’s logo for resale or as a promotional item. They also make a very successful fundraising item, being educational as well as returning at least 50% profits to schools and other groups.
