We're extremely lucky to live and work in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area, nestled next to the Pacific Ocean. The health and well-being of our natural surroundings is always top of mind. However, the unfortunate truth is that our oceans are in trouble. This is why rockflowerpaper owner Katie Smith launched rockflowerpaper’s blu collection – reusable shopping bags and reusable water bottles to help all of us reduce our single-use plastic waste.
Why do we need reusable shopping bags?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in the U.S. each year. On average, we only recycle 1 out of 200 plastic bags we use. The rest ends up as litter, and a lot of it lands in our oceans. Marine animals ingest it and can become dangerously entangled in it. Bigger pieces of plastic break down into tiny particles called microplastics that end up back in our food chain. There is a massive, floating island of plastic between California and Hawaii called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is now three times the size of France, and this is not the only giant island of garbage in the world.
Change needs to start with our habits at home, and reusable shopping bags like our blu bags help guide the way. It’s easy, and you can be a part of the solution!
What makes blu bags special?
With our blu bags, you never have to take home another plastic shopping bag again. Blu bags can carry up to 50 lbs, are more lightweight than a canvas tote and much more convenient to carry around, and they can save you - as one person - from using an average of over THREE HUNDRED plastic bags per year. Imagine what 300 plastic bags looks like. That’s just one person’s plastic bag usage for one year. Think of how much plastic waste we can keep out of our ecosystem if we all make the commitment to stop using it.
Blu bags are extremely easy to incorporate into your life – we made sure of it. They are super compact. Just throw one in your purse, your back pack, your trunk, or your glove compartment. Hang one on a hook by the front door. You can even slide one into your back pocket. You never know when you might have a random shopping adventure, and we designed your blu bag to stay low profile while stored. In order to fulfill their environmentally-friendly destiny, you need to keep them nearby and use them. And re-use them!
Not only are they strong, but they are also stylish and cute. We release fresh blu bag prints every spring and fall to coordinate with the rest of our beautiful line. There is something for everyone – even reusable bags for guys!
The most special part about blu bags is that with each blu bag (and blu bottle) sold, we donate 20 cents to Ocean Conservancy, with over $37,500 donated to date. So not only are you directly reducing the amount of plastic pollution on our planet, but you’re also contributing to an amazing organization who creates science-based solutions for a healthy ocean.
Can blu bags Be Washed?
Yes, blu bags are machine washable! Don’t worry about funky bacteria, food debris, or spillage ruining your reusable bags. Blu bags are made out of 100% polyester fabric and are easy to care for.
Do these reusable shopping bags come with an attached pouch?
Absolutely! There are two ways to store a blu bag and two kinds of people in the world: those who store their blu bags in the attached zipper pouch, and those who use the attached elastic band. Which side do you choose??
You may find that you use both methods for different reasons. The zipper pouch method is great if you want to keep a blu bag clipped to the inside or outside of your purse (mini carabiner clip is included!). The elastic band method is great if you just want to roll up your blu bag and chuck it right in your purse. Some people see our signature blue elastic band and don’t know what it’s for. We’ll show you everything in this video below:
Now that you're a blu bag expert, you can confidently pick some up for yourself and your favorite people. They make amazing party favors, wedding favors, birthday gifts, stocking stuffers, and everyday surprises!
