Eco-Friendly School Essentials: 6 Sustainable Swaps for a Greener Back-to-School Season
Looking to make this school year a sustainable one? At SUS, we strive to make sustainable products accessible to everyone- from college students to the little tots on the playground. We’ve got something for everyone this year and want to help you make some informed sustainable choices when it comes to your back to school shopping. Here are six of our favorites- some SUS and some not- for lowering your carbon footprint this fall.
These sealable plastic bag replacements are a must-have for all of your organizational needs this year. From snacks to pencils and pens, these reusable silicone bags will help you keep single-use plastics out of your backpack, your lunchbox, and the landfill.
Whatever size you’re looking for, SUS can lighten your load… and your carbon footprint. Check out our tags to see just how much plastic you are removing from the waste stream.
3. Digital Notebooks: reMarkable & Rocketbook
The future is now! You no longer have to sacrifice organization for hand-written notes. With digital notebooks you can have the best of both worlds. With these notebooks, you can write your notes/schedules/to-do lists, digitize them using the reMarkable or Pocketbook apps that come free with your purchase, erase your page by wetting the included towel or eraser, and start over again. Both have different features and price points so there is an option for everyone!
4. Bee’s Wrap
This bee’s wax coated plastic wrap/tin foil alternative is the answer to all of your eco-prayers when it comes to packing your lunches this year. Great for wrapping sandwiches, cheese, chips, baked goods, etc. Fold and use the heat of your hand to close it shut and you’ve got an air-tight seal that keeps your food fresh and lunch-time ready!
We took it upon ourselves to create a lunch box that is sustainable AND functional. You shouldn’t have to compromise! Waterproof, tear-resistant, and insulated… plus it removes 8 plastic bottles from littering our ecosystem.
6. Pela
Switch from plastic to plant-based and compostable. Pela has engineered a plastic-like, durable material made from plants. Apple Watch straps? Apple AirPod case? Wallet? Cellphone case? Pela has it all.
Overall, great news- you are one step further from single-use sandwich baggies, newly manufactured backpacks and lunchboxes made from synthetic fibers, heaps of newspapers and paper, cling wrap, and plastic watch straps, phone cases, wallets, etc. You started the first step, which is research. Buying products that last is one of the biggest missions in this climate change movement. Go forth and have an amazing, SUStainable school year!
P.S. For brownie points, shop for these products at your local small businesses! The little guys need your help.
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Why we use Crowdfunding for our Small Business
In today's dynamic business landscape, innovation is the key to staying ahead of the curve. Small businesses often possess groundbreaking ideas but may face financial constraints that hinder their growth. This is where crowdfunding steps in as a game-changer, providing small businesses with the funds, validation, and exposure they need to thrive.
Why Crowdfunding Matters
1. Raising Funds to Bring Ideas to Life
Small businesses often struggle to secure the capital necessary to turn their innovative ideas into reality. Traditional avenues like bank loans can be challenging to access, especially for startups. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo bridge this gap by enabling entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas to a global audience. Backers contribute funds in exchange for early access or unique rewards, allowing small businesses to secure the financial backing they need.
2. Validation and Audience Sizing
Crowdfunding campaigns serve as a litmus test for your business concept. When backers invest in your idea, they are essentially casting a vote of confidence. Successful crowdfunding campaigns provide valuable validation, demonstrating that your idea resonates with a community of potential customers. Moreover, as backers come from diverse backgrounds, you gain insights into your target market's size and preferences.
3. Market Insights and Awareness
Crowdfunding offers more than just financial support. It's a platform to engage with your audience, gather feedback, and fine-tune your offering based on real-world input. By actively participating in the campaign, backers become emotionally invested in your journey, transforming them into loyal customers once your product or service launches. Additionally, crowdfunding generates buzz and awareness around your brand, amplifying your reach beyond traditional marketing channels.
A Success Story: 19 Bottle Backpack by SUS
Oneexample is the "19 Bottle Backpack by SUS" campaign that we just launched. In just 30 minutes, we reached our funding goal and we are now working towards our stretch goal of $5,000. This story shows how crowdfunding can help catapult a small business to new heights. You can check out our campaign here.
The Future of Small, Sustainable Businesses
As a small business owner, the challenges of gaining exposure and securing funding are all too familiar. Crowdfunding, however, has the power to transform these hurdles into stepping stones. It's not just about raising money; it's about building a community of supporters who believe in your vision.
Crowdfunding is a catalyst that can allow small businesses like SUS to make a big impact. It's a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and the support of a global audience. If you're seeking funds, validation, and a platform to grow your sustainable small business, consider crowdfunding as a viable option. It worked for our business SUS, and it could work for others too.
Innovation drives progress, crowdfunding is a great option that can propel small businesses forward. Entrepreneurs have harnessed the power of crowdfunding to turn their dreams into reality.
Remember, when it comes to small businesses with big ideas, crowdfunding can help to open up opportunities that wouldn’t be affordable or possible.
Conclusion
Crowdfunding isn't just about raising funds; it's about realizing dreams and connecting with a supportive community. The global crowdfunding market's growth, success stories like SUS, and the benefits it offers to small, sustainable businesses make it a compelling option. By harnessing the power of crowdfunding, small businesses can flourish, innovate, and change the world, one idea at a time.
You can check out our campaignhere.
Recycling in the United States: Sustainable Backpacks Leading the Way
Introduction:
Finding innovative ways to reduce waste and promote sustainability has become paramount. One solution lies in recycling, a practice that offers tremendous benefits for the planet but needs many people to . In this blog post, we'll explore the environmental impact of recycling, zoom in on the advantages of using backpacks made from recycled materials, and discover how SUS is making a difference by weaving sustainability into their products.
Check out our crowdfunding project to see how we are continuing to provide sustainable solutions: www.susmade.com/crowdfunding
The Environmental Impact of Recycling:
Reusing holds the key to curbing the mounting waste crisis that plagues our planet. By diverting materials from landfills and incineration, recycling, reusing, and repairing helps conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate environmental pollution. Embracing a circular economy can be a game-changer, and it all starts with a simple yet powerful concept: turning waste into valuable resources.
The Benefits of Backpacks Made from Recycled Materials:
When it comes to sustainable practices, even the smallest choices can have a significant impact. Consider your trusty backpack, an essential companion on various adventures. Opting for a backpack made from recycled materials can make a world of difference. These eco-friendly backpacks not only boast impressive durability but also serve as a beacon of sustainability.
One of the most compelling aspects of these backpacks is their longevity. Unlike cheap single-use material backpacks, a well-crafted recycled backpack should last for 5+ years or even longer.(In my opinion) The NY Times says “A good school backpack should be durable enough to survive the wear and tear of at least four years of education, as well as weekend getaways and trips back home.”
Refer to our lifetime warranty for our bags and backpacks: www.susmade.com/warranty
By choosing one of these sustainable companions, environmentally-conscious consumers can actively contribute to reducing the volume of single-use plastic waste that often litters our communities, clogs waterways, and harms marine life.
Moreover, the manufacturing of recycled backpacks consumes fewer resources compared to traditional backpack production. Using recycled materials requires less raw materials, thereby reducing the carbon footprint. As more individuals opt for recycled backpacks, the cumulative effect on waste reduction and energy conservation becomes truly noteworthy.
Conclusion:
Together, we can create a world where waste is minimized, and sustainability reigns supreme. Fully recycling, reusing and repairing materials have emerged as cornerstones of environmental conservation in the United States. As we strive to make a positive impact on our planet, let us remember that even the smallest choices, like opting for a backpack made from recycled materials, can lead to transformative change.
Trash all around us.. Trash in space
WE as people on this planet are running out of places to put our waste. In the articles below there are several examples of that coming to the forefront as a problem in our civilization. Reasons why we see trash in waterways and expanding landfills.
Speaking of all places we put our trash into space via a rocket if you want to check out this article(s).
https://www.newsweek.com/iss-waste-disposal-new-method-1723390#:~:text=A%20new%20space%20waste%20disposal,clothing%20and%20used%20office%20supplies.
https://www.space.com/trash-bag-jettisoned-space-station-nanoracks
Another example with NYC while I love the city we all know that trash is on every street. Increasing the size of the bins is necessary in my view but it exemplifies the challenges that we have with the amount of waste created.
https://gothamist.com/news/as-giant-trash-bins-come-to-nyc-will-the-citys-garbage-heaps-become-a-thing-of-the-past
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Countries Restrict Plastic
In May 2019, 187 counties (Not the US) agreed to control the movement of plastics.
This is a common a occurrence with countries like the United States because we don’t have a comprehensive way to recycle these materials.
In order to remove the materials the United States had been shipping them to China before they began to stop taking it from America which led to shipping it to Malaysia.
If you’re interested in the article use the link below..
https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/11/world/basel-convention-plastic-waste-trade-intl/index.html
NYC Banning Plastic Bags
Great News out of New York City where they have taken steps to remove plastics bags which will end up reducing a significant amount of waste!
New Yorkers currently use 23 billion plastic bags each year which find there way to landfills, rivers and oceans.
As a company we want to make it easier for you to find other solutions in bags instead of single use plastics like the images above.
If you’re interested in the article use the link below..
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/28/nyregion/new-york-state-ban-plastic-bags.html