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The Year of the (Green) Rooster by: Bev Gray

January 27, 2017 by Kent Greenwell Leave a Comment

This weekend marks the beginning of festivities for the Year of the Rooster. Chinese New Year is on this Saturday, January 28, 2017 and for some, extends until February 2nd. If you’re looking for last minute gift ideas for the holiday, here are some that would be a gift to your friends/family as well as the environment.

Bambeco sustainable home goods has amazing ideas from personalized gifts made out of reclaimed wood to gift-giving basics like candles and bowls.

Shop Omaze for a chance at once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as going to the Grammy’s or buy t-shirts and gifts that give back to charity.

Homemade gifts are always meaningful. Make your own red envelopes. If you don’t already have red paper, use white paper then color it with red markers.

Buy an annual pass to the National Parks Service.

Contact a local artist to commission a piece of art, or ask what they have available. Some will give you discounts if they don’t have to go through a gallery.

Check out online artists like Laura Loving who have online stores with gifts from $15 and up, with an extra 20% off if you sign up for emails.

And there’s Etsy for art, like these handmade gyotaku fish paintings on rice paper that range from $25 to $225.

Elle magazine recommends Eco-Friendly Fashion Labels that work towards sustainability, such as Stella McCartney, SVILU, Kowtow, Amour Vert, Peace Treaty, H&M Conscious Collection, and Freedom of Animals.

Or shop with these brands who have made a commitment to the environment, and as an added bonus, some are having a winter sale:

And if you are in China, here are some great ideas from Phat Rice.

Happy Chinese New Year from Ragbags!

EVENTS MADE IN THE USA by: Bev Gray

October 26, 2016 by Kent Greenwell Leave a Comment

It’s Autumn! You know what that means, pumpkins are in season, root vegetables are ready to be harvested, leaves are falling from the trees and people are planning 2017 events. Event attendees have started scheduling their 2017 travel plans and vacation time off, while event organizers are gearing up for venue signage, promotional bags, scheduled line-up of musical acts and volunteer staff.

Below is a peek at a few of the largest 2017 American made events that can use our Made in America Ragbags.

January 19-29, 2017

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL – Park City, Utah

The annual film festival held in Park City, Utah is the largest independent film festival in the US. Sundance began in August 1978, but now is traditionally held in winter months and attracts over 46,000 people annually.

Photo Credit: Ryan Bethke - Competitor Group — Photo Credit: Ryan Bethke – Competitor Group

ROCK N’ ROLL MARATHONS – Multiple Dates & Cities

The Rock n’ Roll Marathon series originated in 1998 in San Diego, CA. Now it is held in cities all over the world. 2017 Marathons and 1/2 Marathons will be held in Arizona, New Orleans, Washington, DC, Dallas, San Francisco, Raleigh, Carlsbad, Nashville, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Virginia Beach & Philadelphia.

Check out the dates for your city

Laura Mac Darby, left, and Emer Ryam, both from Dublin, Ireland, attend the free concert at Auditorium Shores headlined by Spoon at SXSW on Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Jay Janner)

March 10-19, 2017

SXSW – Austin, TX

Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, South by Southwest (SXSW) is a festival focused on interactive technology, media, film and music. The first event was expecting to see 150 participants, but 700 people showed up. SXSW Music has been touted as the “largest music festival of it’s kind in the world.” In 2014, there were over 2,00 musical acts. The event now has over 84,000 attendees annually.

March 25 – April 15, 2017

NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL – Washington, DC

In West Potomac Park on March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda (wife of the Japanese ambassador), planted two trees that were a gift from Japan. This began an annual event that held it’s first official festival in 1927. Today, the National Cherry Blossom Festival has more than 1.5 million people annually. The date of the festival is set around the expect bloom date for the cherry trees. The two original cherry trees still stand today.

April 1, 2107

COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN – Charleston, SC

The race is the third largest 10K in the US and the fifth largest American road race. This year the Cooper River Bridge Run will be held on April Fool’s Day. The annual 10K race across the Arthur Ravanel Jr. Bridge is the only event in the state of South Carolina sanctioned by USA Track and Field as an elite event. The event normally sees around 34K-40K participants.

April 6-9, 2017

MASTERS TOURNAMENT – Augusta, GA

Since 1934, Augusta National Golf Club has provided America with The Master’s Golf tournament. The Masters is one of the four major professional golf tournaments. Unlike the other tournaments, the Masters is always held in the same location, Augusta, GA. Although the Master’s doesn’t release official attendance, it is estimated to be over 300,000 over the course of a week. Only one person wins the coveted green jacket each year, but attendees get to take home green bags, shirts, cups and hats.

April 28-May 7, 2017

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL – New Orleans, LA

Also known as New Orleans Jazz Festival or simply, Jazz Fest to locals. In 2015, the festival saw as many as 460,000 attendees. Although the festival now attracts about $300 million for the local economy, festival organizers joke that at the first 1970 Jazz Fest, there were more people on stage than in the audience. The festival is know for it’s uniquely New Orleans’ style cajun food and crafts, as well as a diverse line-up of legendary musical acts, like The Who, Ed Sheeran, Alison Krauss, Keith Urban, No Doubt, Pitbull, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lady Gaga and Widespread Panic.

May 5-6, 2017

KENTUCKY DERBY – Louisville, KY

In 2017, Louisville, KY will be holding it’s 143rd annual Kentucky Derby. The Run for the Roses is the first leg of the Triple Crown series of horse races, followed by Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. A horse must win all three races to win the triple crown. Although most attendees enjoy the two minute race, they go for the mint juleps, outrageous hats, Millionaire’s Row and burgoo.

May 13, 2017

IROQUOIS STEEPLECHASE – Nashville, TN

Since 1941, the Iroquois Steeplchase has been a Tennessee tradition.

It currently attracts more than 25,000 spectators annually to watch some of the world’s best horses and riders in the world while enjoying Tennessee Springtime, mint juleps and Southern hospitality.

June 8-11, 2017

BONNAROO – Manchester, TN

Bonnaroo started in 2002 as an Arts and Music festival in Manchester, TN. It is now a 4 day festival that sees from 45,000 to 100,000 attendees annually. Bonnaroo encourages green activities, such as recycling while at the festival, food and drink sold in recyclable materials and Planet Roo, where one goes to “heighten their global consciousness.” These eco activities are why in 2011, Bonnaroo won a Greener Festival award. The festival also gives to charities such as Doctors Without Borders, Habitat for Humanity, Rock the Earth, the American Red Cross and the Sierra Club.

July 28-30, 2017

NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL – Newport, RI

Newport Folk Festival started in the summer of 1959 by George Wein. It continues to impress with acts like Elvis Costello, Alabama Shakes, Flight of the Conchords, Violent Femmes, Norah Jones, Ryan Adams Ray Lamontagne and Middle Brother. This festival also makes an effort to be green-friendly as it partnered with Clean Water Act and donates a portion of proceeds to CWA. Newport Folk Festival expects around 10,000 attendees per day.

July 19-23, 2017

COMIC CON INTERNATIONAL- San Diego, CA

Comic-Con is held annually at the San Diego Convention Center for comic and Science-fiction fans. Comic-Con started on March 21, 1970 as a one-day “minicon” with about 100 attendees, but quickly turned into a 3 day event by August 1-3, 1970.

It now is attended by over 130,000 people annually and has expanded to other cities.

August 2-7, 2017

MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL – Rockland, Maine

Tens of thousands of people from all over the world head to Rockland, Maine each year for the annual Maine Lobster Festival. The event is a non-profit run exclusively by volunteers and has given more than $500,000 to Midcoast Maine communities to support local food pantries, high school sports teams, community service groups, local emergency services, and offer college scholarships.

August 21-27, 2017

WASHINGTON STATE KITE FESTIVAL – Long Beach, WA

The Washington State International Kite Festival was started in 1981 with 9 people flying kites. Now it sees thousands of attendees from all over the world. Although the event has seen massive growth in attendance, it still can’t seem to beat the Guiness World Record set the first year. The festival in 1981 set a Guinness record for keeping a kite in the air for 180 hours, the longest time ever recorded.

Oct. 2017 TBA

ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA – Albuquerque, NM

This festival began humbly in 1972 with 13 balloons taking off from a mall parking lot. The popular event quickly expanded. It has now ballooned to over 600 balloons and over 80,000 people. Although there are several balloon events throughout the year, the main event is still the Balloon Fiesta, which proudly boasts the titles of: Most Photographed Event in the World, Largest Ballooning Event on Earth and The Largest Annual International Event Held in US.

*This is an incomplete list of the noteworthy 2017American events that can use our noteworthy bags. If you are interested in telling us about your upcoming event, contact us at ericg@ragbags.com.

Ragbags Ranked in Top 10 Innovations: By Bev Gray

March 2, 2016 by Kent Greenwell Leave a Comment

Jolly good news, mates! Ragbags was named Top 10 Innovations at UK event! In Britain they’re saying, “Nice one, Ragbags. Brilliant!” Glad the Brits have cottoned on.

For everyone stateside, what I’m trying to say is Ragbags was honored by industry peers on an international level. Ragbags was named in the Top 10 Innovations in Packaging at Packaging Innovations 2016, the UK’s leading Packaging event. (Woo-hoo!)

Packaging Innovations brings the packaging industry together to highlight new innovations, inspire new approaches, and discover the latest trends and technologies. The show featured packaging suppliers from a handful of US based companies, along with companies from UK and others parts of the EU. The UK event, hosted by EasyFairs, was held this past week in Birmingham, England. Now that Ragbags has taken Europe by a storm, we’re one of those cool American things you get in America, like ice, free drink refills and air conditioning.

Eric Grossman, CEO of Metropak, the manufacturer of Ragbags was thrilled by the enthusiasm for Ragbags at the UK show.

”We introduced Ragbags at the packaging Innovation show last week, and were delighted with the tremendous amount of positive feedback We received from so many folks on the other side of the pond. We believe with all of the new bag laws affecting UK and the EU, ragbags are a great eco-friendly option for many retailers. To be chosen among top the 10 new packaging innovations in 2016 was a huge honor for Ragbags!”

Ragbags will be featured in Packaging News and a few UK publications. We’re chuffed by the smashing news. Cheerio!

Title: Just Like Any Mama, Mother Russia Wants You to Eat Well By: Bev Gray

February 1, 2016 by Kent Greenwell Leave a Comment

Although in this photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin looks like he’s concocting an evil plan, what he’s coming up with is actually quite genius. Putin announced that Russia will become the #1 producer of foods that are non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms). Say what you will about Russia, but it looks like they might be able to do something that the US has never been able to do, stand up to Monsanto and genetically modified seeds.

In an address to Russian parliament, Putin proudly outlined his plan to make Russia the world’s ‘leading exporter’ of non-GMO foods that are based on ‘ecologically clean’ production.

That’s right, we’re talking about Russia.

Russia?

Yes, Russia.

This news comes just months after Russia banned the production of genetically engineered foods. It’s clear now that Russia was using the GMO ban as a starting point to become a world leader in organic farming, and more importantly, exporting their organic farming.

In his speech to Parliament, Putin even took an eco swing at the US with:

“We are not only able to feed ourselves taking into account our lands, water resources – Russia is able to become the largest world supplier of healthy, ecologically clean and high-quality food which the Western producers have long lost, especially given the fact that demand for such products in the world market is steadily growing.”

Ouch! This coming from the country that created Lake Karachay, the most toxic place on earth. Apparently standing there for an hour could kill you because of all the radioactive waste.

As Russia cleans up their act, Americans are forced to look inward. We have to look at ourselves and ask, “What can we change?” What can we bring to the table when there is a global discussion of becoming more pro-environment?

There are things everyone knows to do, buy fuel efficient cars, carpool, recycle, take shorter showers, put solar panels on your house, compost, buy water efficient toilets, etc. But there other things to also consider:

Turn off your computer at night

All environmentalists say to only use environmentally friendly bags. So, I will tell you that, too. Buy Ragbags to use for grocery bags, kitchen towels, plant blankets, gym bags, gift bags and seat covers.

Always take a marker when at a party or picnic with plastic or paper cups. If people write their names on cups, they are less likely to lose them and need need extra cups. But more importantly, when your name is on a cup, you’re less likely to litter or forget to recycle the cup.

Take water with you when you leave home, so you won’t need to buy plastic water bottles. Or if you’re forgetful like me, after you wash your water bottle, put it back in your car or bag or somewhere you will have it ready next time you leave.

Buy energy efficient light bulbs

Take the stairs instead of elevator

Walk or bike instead of driving

And whenever possible exercise outside instead of indoors. If the weather is great, why are people on treadmills?

When someone gives you a gift in a gift bag, save it for next time you give a gift.

And put this one on your calendar to do. It will take a few minutes, but totally worth it. Contact all the companies that send you giant catalogs that you never even look at. Most catalogs that come to my house get dropped in the recycling on my walk back from the mailbox. Bypass this step by telling companies to stop sending these all-together.

Read labels, not only for what you are buying, but where you are buying it from. I used to think the ‘buy local’ or ‘buy American’ movement was to promote the local economy. But the truth is, the closer to you items are made, the less environmental damage was done getting the product to you.

Don’t use your TV for background noise. Instead listen to music on CD Player, stereo, iPhone, or really any device instead of TV.

Unplug devices you aren’t using.
According to Bruce Nordman, an energy efficiency researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as a general rule of thumb, the bigger—and older—the device, the more power it uses while it’s off. So it’s much more effective to unplug the decade-old TV in your guest bedroom than the phone charger that you bought last year. Another tip: “When you put your hand on the adaptor, if it’s hot, it’s using energy. If it’s not hot, it’s probably not using very much energy.” (Excerpt from motherjones.com)

Get organized. (This is totally the pot calling the kettle black.) I frequently buy new things because I don’t have time to look for the one I already have. If you are organized, you already know where that illusive 3 volt battery is when your smoke alarm battery gets low in the middle of the night and starts beeping. And you know that you already have 24 party cups, so you don’t need to buy more. Also if you plan your day the night before, you’re less likely to have to do additional gas-guzzling driving, backtracking and last minute purchases. (Again, talking to myself here, people.)

RagBags

It’s All About Meme – By Bev Gray

January 28, 2016 by Kent Greenwell Leave a Comment

I couldn’t resist the chance to improve upon Blobla’s stick figure meme that is all over Facebook. Because that’s what we do here at RagBags, we try to improve things in this crazy world.

Be like Alison. Create your own story! Then create your own RagBags.

What You Need to Know About the California Bag Ban

January 26, 2015 by Kent Greenwell Leave a Comment

California has become the first state to ban retailers from offering single-use plastic bags. The law has not yet taken effect, but retailers who do business in the state have to start planning for the change now.

The Dallas Bag Ban: Everything You Need to Know

January 13, 2015 by Kent Greenwell Leave a Comment

There has been a lot of confusion over the new Dallas bag law. Is it a bag ban, or a bag tax? Does it apply just to plastic bags, or to paper bags as well? What stores are affected, and what changes do they have to make? Here is everything you need to know about the new ordinance.