Smart, portable, and biodegradable alternatives to plastic bags
scroll down
scroll down
We at CORVUS Cotton Bags can help you make the ecologically and economically beneficial choice of employing reusable bags at the store and in the home. Unlike when using plastic bags, you will be conserving energy and natural resources, reducing waste in landfills, preventing litter, and promoting a cleaner environment for all.
CORVUS cotton bags are available in many different colors and sizes.
CORVUS cotton bags are perfect for a trip to the mall or grocery store.
CORVUS cotton bags are great for storing food or other items
CORVUS cotton bags also have the added benefits of being less likely to tear than their plastic counterparts, but they can also support heavier loads.
CORVUS cotton bags are easy to fold and will slip right into your pocket, always available for when you need them.
Here is some information and clarification regarding common misconceptions about plastics. If your questions aren't answered here, please go to the contact form and send us your questions.
Because of its low value, high volume nature, less than 5 % of plastic bags are recycled. It’s so much cheaper to produce new plastic than recycle, especially as oil prices drop. Besides, plastic can only be downcycled, meaning that a water bottle that’s ‘re’cycled, becomes a lower-grade plastic product. Yes, so that recycle symbol on most plastics is a bit misleading!
So really, it’s better to refuse plastics in the first place.
Yes, it’s true. Scentists have found that mealworms can digest polystyrene and that a bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis can eat PET (albeit very slowly). It would take 100 mealworms to eat 34-39mg of polystyrene a day and and it would take bacterium about 6 weeks to eat a thin film of PET. The long term effects of this have also not been studied.
Biodegradable plastics are capable of degrading quickly – in industrial composters, or when exposed to UV rays – not landfills, the oceans or garbage dumps. Corn plastics or PLA require higher temperatures to decompose, can’t be recycled and release methane, a very potent GHG in landfill sites.
In short, it’s a false solution.
It’s likely you’re talking about bags made from non-woven fibre (basically plastic). The ways to test it – it holds water, the seams of thee bag are actually heat sealed (not stitched) , plus it gives out a thick, acrid smoke when burnt (since this is really toxic, we don’t recommend that you try burning it).
Sure, if you compare, paper is better than plastic. But because its production is energy intensive, consumes water, and well, comes from trees, paper is not so great.
Corvus was started by Elizabeth and Ierene Francis. Elizabeth was increasingly concerned with the eye popping amounts of garbage on the streets and the amount of plastic handed out at shops. Ierene did her MSc thesis on marine fisheries many years ago, and any news on the oceans always caught her eye. Over time, she saw the problem with the oceans wasn’t just overfishing, but an increase in plastics and other trash. They decided to do something about it, and started CORVUS Bags – to make stylish, smart and compact alternatives to plastic bags.
Why the name? The name Corvus comes from the genus of birds that include crows and ravens – some of the most intelligent and logical animals on Earth.
Here are some questions that we have been asked about CORVUS cotton bags. If your questions aren't answered here, please go to the contact form and send us your questions.
CORVUS cotton bags are strong, made of pure cotton and don’t cut your hands like regular plastic. They are made to fit into your pocket or bag and you can use them over and over again. Also, leave a few in your vehicle storage for unplanned shopping. Use them to carry your purchase - clothes, shoes, books, vegetables, grains, etc. While you’re at it, always refuse extra packaging when possible.
Cotton is a renewable plant based fiber and will biodegrade over time. The logic behind our cotton bags is that even if you throw them away after several years of using them, they will biodegrade.
It’s cheaper over time to invest in a bag than to buy several single use bags.
You don’t need to wash these bags after every use (or at all). Treat these bags just like you would your clothes- gentle wash, and line dry in case they get dirty. Wash colored items separately, deep colors may bleed initially.
If used to carry groceries, it might help to have more than one bag and label each bag as Meat, Produce, Dairy, Dry Goods, and Cleaning Supplies to prevent cross contamination. Double bag or line with newspaper any items that may leak. If the bags get wet, dry or leave them open and not scrunched up. They’re cotton, so they won’t shed microfibre as they’re washed, and they can be ironed if needed.
Our bags are tested for strength, but if at all they tear, they can be sewn back with a needle and thread.
They make great tambulam, party favour or return gift bags. Usually, these gifts are packed in paper, jute, or non-woven (plastic) bags with the occasion’s name on it. Unfortunately, this makes chances of reuse slim. Consider using our drawstring bags instead. They come in a variety of colours, can fit small gifts and they can be reused later. A larger Corvus bag by itself also makes a useful gift.
You can encourage shoppers to use reusable bags by offering a credit, coupon, or discount to those who use them. You can sell our cotton reusable bags at or near the checkout counter, or provide a free bag to customers who spend over a certain amount. Also, it might help to simply thank customers who bring in their own bags.
Do you want to sell Cotton Corvus Bags in your store? Let us know.
