Q & A: Envitote
The newest addition to my OpenSky shop is this great back the Envitote. I have been using this reusable back for a few months now and love how durable it is. The most unique thing about this tote is the square base and handles on the side as well as the shoulder strap. I have not found any other totes that are like this and it creates and easy totae for me to carry my groceries in.
1. Why did you decide to partner up with OpenSky?
As a new, small business, Envicorp Products tried to find every creative avenue to distribute our eco-friendly products such as our original design Envitote. With limited resources, this can be challenging. After meeting an OpenSky buyer at the California Gift Show, we believed that this was an opportunity we had to seize.
We saw the OpenSky Project as a bold, new approach to shopping. In an age where personal interactions are becoming fewer and far between, OpenSky aspires to use those very technologies to bring relationships back to shopping.
2. What was the inspiration behind Envicorp?
Inspired at an Earth Day festival in Santa Monica, CA, Stephanie Collins began designing environmentally friendly products. Along with best friend of 20 years, Tana Collins, a plan was made to start a company that would provide products to the eco-conscious. Our hope is to reduce consumer waste and environmental pollution. While we are a company, part of our mission is that of advocacy, education, and service. The long-term objective is to start a non-profit foundation that will give grants to grassroots environmental programs.
3. Why do you feel it is important to use reusable bags versus plastic?
The average use of any plastic bag is only 12 minutes. It then takes that single bag 500-1000 years to decompose. The average U.S. family uses on average 1,500 plastic bags per year. With one reusable bag preventing six plastic bags from being used, this is one easy step that everyone can take to help protect our environment. With roughly 60–80% of all marine debris, and 90% of floating debris being plastic, the use of reusable bags can have a dramatic effect on our planet. We have a page of our website devoted to many of the statistics about plastic bag consumption. Our envifacts can be found at http://www.envicorp.com/envifacts.html.
4. What is the Envitote made out of?
Envitote is made from 100% cotton, canvas – a renewable resource. The cardstock stiffeners are paper which is renewable and recyclable.
5. What is your favorite thing about the Envitote?
First, we like the fact that Envitote has an impact on saving the planet. Next, we are thrilled with the multiple uses that have been found for the Envitote. Its diversity as a bag extends well beyond the grocery store. For example, Envitote fits perfectly under an airline seat, so it works as the perfect travel bag. We have had it used as a diaper bag and pet carrier. Also, it makes the perfect eco-friendly gift basket. The uses are endless.
6. Do you have any plans to create other products?
We have other products available on our website, www.envicorp.com, and on OpenSky. Also, we are currently in the process of developing additional original products (like the Envipal another great tote but this one is insulated!)
