In an effort to go green many grocery stores are opting for reusable grocery totes rather than landfill bound plastic bags. The problem with this eco-friendly switch is that the lead content in some of these bags has been found to be high. The group Center for Consumer Freedom tested bags and found that 30 percent of those tested had lead content higher than the norm. “Consumers should not be scared,” the group said but the Federal government needs to extend standards on lead to products other than children’s toys and paint.
A test was done by TEI Analytical, Inc., a laboratory that does chemical testing; found that some bags made with Non-Woven Poly Propylene contained a large amount of lead. The study included bags from national chains such as Walgreens, Rite-Aid and Harris Teeter. CVS Pharmacy was found to be one of the retailers with the most amount lead in their bags. They had up to 500 parts per million (PPM) of toxic heavy materials in their bags, which is 5 times the allowed amount.
The lead on the bags does not easily come off but with the common wear and tear of everyday use, paint flakes can dislodge or threads can fray which then releases the lead. Eco Promotional Products, Inc. recognizes the harmful effects lead can have and only works with suppliers with products that have been test and checked. One of EPP’s suppliers has installed XRF Heavy Metal Detectors to scan,” ‘every batch and every color for lead and other heavy materials.’” The November, 2010 recall of reusable bags only allowed this supplier to market their bags, “they met a higher standard” than what already existed.
Another supplier EPP works closely with purchased the XLT Niton Analyzer Gun “to randomly check products before they get out our doors into your customers hands.” This device allows the supplier to make sure their products are compliant with hazardous substance standards. EPP is making more strides to ensure their products are safe. Lead products go through a third party to certify the lead content; there are also random lead spot-checks of products coming into the U.S. EPP also provides good alternatives to traditional grocery totes, ones made of cloth.
By: Rachel Thomas, Eco Promotional Products Inc.
Sources:
• http://dailycaller.com/2010/11/12/study-shows-reusable-bags-contain-high-levels-of-lead-content/
• http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/01/24/consumerwatch-study-finds-high-lead-levels-in-some-reusable-bags/
• http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/11/17/reusable-shopping-bag-ban-proposed-after-lead-discovery
• http://www.ceh.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=354&Itemid=259
• www.counselormag.com
Showing posts with label grocery totes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grocery totes. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The Impact of Choosing Made in USA Products
In tough economic times, Americans consumers are presented with a paradox – to seek out made in USA products to support our national economy or to purchase items manufactured overseas at a discounted price. There are few made in USA products currently on the market that are less expensive than imported goods. However, price is not always the most important factor to consider when making a purchase.
Consumers must support the national economy, or made in USA products will continue to decline and possibly disappear. Conversely, if consumers use their buying power to indicate that they are willing to pay a slight premium for American made items, domestic manufacturing will thrive and expand. The more USA made products American consumers purchase, from made in USA water bottles to organic apparel, the more products will become available.
Supporting the national economy goes beyond patriotism – buying made in USA products is the “green” choice as well. When consumers purchase items imported from other countries, they rarely take into consideration the carbon footprint of that item, i.e. how it was manufactured. For example, if you purchase made in USA clothes you are guaranteed they came from somewhere in the 50 states. Depending on where you live, there is a good chance your clothing item was manufactured and shipped to the end consumer less than 3,000 miles away. If you purchase an article of clothing made overseas, it’s possible that the fabric came from one country in the south Pacific and the item was assembled in an entirely different country then shipped to the United States. When all is said and done, one article of imported clothing has most likely travelled tens of thousands of miles before it ends up at your door. And even if the clothing is organic apparel, the environmental footprint may be quite large.
Additionally, there’s a reason that it is cheaper to manufacture items overseas. Many other countries have less stringent policies regarding labor laws and manufacturing best practices. So the less expensive items that are exported into the United States come at a price – generally at the expense of foreign laborers and increased pollution in developing nations.
In the current economic climate, it may be a challenge to find made in USA products, particularly organic apparel, grocery totes, stainless steel water bottles and electronics. However, if consumers begin to question where items are manufactured and choose to buy made in USA products when available, the impact could be staggering. The end result will be increased availability of made in USA products which support both the national economy and the environment.
Consumers must support the national economy, or made in USA products will continue to decline and possibly disappear. Conversely, if consumers use their buying power to indicate that they are willing to pay a slight premium for American made items, domestic manufacturing will thrive and expand. The more USA made products American consumers purchase, from made in USA water bottles to organic apparel, the more products will become available.
Supporting the national economy goes beyond patriotism – buying made in USA products is the “green” choice as well. When consumers purchase items imported from other countries, they rarely take into consideration the carbon footprint of that item, i.e. how it was manufactured. For example, if you purchase made in USA clothes you are guaranteed they came from somewhere in the 50 states. Depending on where you live, there is a good chance your clothing item was manufactured and shipped to the end consumer less than 3,000 miles away. If you purchase an article of clothing made overseas, it’s possible that the fabric came from one country in the south Pacific and the item was assembled in an entirely different country then shipped to the United States. When all is said and done, one article of imported clothing has most likely travelled tens of thousands of miles before it ends up at your door. And even if the clothing is organic apparel, the environmental footprint may be quite large.
Additionally, there’s a reason that it is cheaper to manufacture items overseas. Many other countries have less stringent policies regarding labor laws and manufacturing best practices. So the less expensive items that are exported into the United States come at a price – generally at the expense of foreign laborers and increased pollution in developing nations.
In the current economic climate, it may be a challenge to find made in USA products, particularly organic apparel, grocery totes, stainless steel water bottles and electronics. However, if consumers begin to question where items are manufactured and choose to buy made in USA products when available, the impact could be staggering. The end result will be increased availability of made in USA products which support both the national economy and the environment.
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