ECOBAGS

Packaging

Since the early 1990s they have used plastic-free, minimal packaging made from recycled paper, avoiding virgin plastics and foam altogether. For example, their organic cotton produce bags are sold with an FSC-certified recycled paper band printed in low-impact soy-based inks. By 2019, ECOBAGS had further “repacked” its products to eliminate remaining single-use plastic, signaling near-total elimination of plastic in packaging.

Material Sustainability

ECOBAGS uses exclusively eco-preferable fibers in its in-house products, focusing on organic cotton, recycled cotton, and sustainably sourced cellulose. Since 2020 they have transitioned to using only certified organic cotton or recycled cotton in their bags, phasing out conventional cotton. In 2022, ECOBAGS added a Birla Cellulose fiber, a low-impact viscose made in a closed-loop process from FSC-certified wood pulp. Notably, ECOBAGS avoids material categories with high environmental burden such as virgin polyester or PVC. Their catalog contains no petroleum-derived fabrics or finite-resource materials. The brand’s organic fiber supply chain is certified to GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), meaning farming and processing meet rigorous environmental criteria.

Energy Use and Footprint

ECOBAGS has limited public disclosure regarding its energy use or carbon footprint. The company has not published greenhouse gas inventories or formal reduction targets. Its manufacturing is done in India and products are distributed globally, which inherently involves transportation emissions.

Waste Management

ECOBAGS’ partners reuse and repurpose materials where possible. For example, the business has reused shipping cartons since its inception to avoid generating packaging waste. The brand’s products themselves incorporate recycled inputs, notably recycled cotton fiber, which upcycles textile waste into new bags. ECOBAGS chooses materials that are inherently recyclable or compostable at end-of-life. Every in-house bag is 100% fiber-based and free of mixed-material complexity, so it can be recycled as a textile or even commercially composted when worn out.

Business Model

ECOBAGS’ business model is fundamentally oriented toward slow, mindful consumption rather than fast turnover. The company has sold a curated line of evergreen products (simple totes, string bags, produce sacks) for decades, avoiding trend-driven seasonal product churn.

ECOBAGS ensures that both its raw materials and finished products are safe and non-toxic for consumers and makers alike. Because the company uses mainly natural fibers (cotton and wood-based cellulose) that are either organic or minimally processed, the products are free from the toxic synthetic chemicals often found in conventional textiles. For instance, organic cotton is grown without persistent pesticides or insecticides, avoiding residues that could irritate skin or harm farmers. Beyond the fibers, ECOBAGS has proactively tackled the chemical safety of dyes and inks since the 1990s. Furthermore, ECOBAGS’ adherence to GOTS certification for organic textiles means its cotton processing avoids chlorine bleach, formaldehyde finishes, and other hazardous textile chemicals (GOTS forbids the worst chemicals and requires safety for any auxiliaries).

Fair labor has been a hallmark of ECOBAGS since its founding, and the company rigorously ensures ethical treatment of workers in its supply chain. All ECOBAGS manufacturing takes place in ethically run factories that operate under fair wage and fair labor practices in line with the SA8000 Social Accountability Standard.

ECOBAGS’ product line is inherently animal-friendly. The company uses exclusively plant-based or recycled materials (cotton, cellulose, jute in some cases) and no animal-derived fabrics like leather, wool, or fur.

Locally and globally, the brand partners with and supports numerous organizations dedicated to sustainability, education, and community well-being. For example, ECOBAGS has been a longtime active member of the Hudson River Clearwater organization, which educates and mobilizes the community to protect the local river ecosystem.