TO encourage more customers to use environment-friendly bags in shopping or even in other activities, the SM Supermalls has launched what it referred to as ‘a fashionable yet functional’ eco bag.

During the launching of the new set of SM Eco Bags at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, Annie Garcia, president of SM Supermalls, said the SM Eco Bag, which symbolizes saving trees from being cut, is made from hard wearing non-woven fabric bag that is sourced from 100-percent polypropylene.

Garcia said polypropylene is proven to be recyclable, non-toxic, allergy-free and non-reactive to human skin.

‘The material is durable enough to last up to two years, so that the SM Eco Bag users can show off their support in saving the earth in a stylish way,’ Garcia noted.

The latest SM Eco Bag collection features a new design that is a tree printed in four background colors –beige, black, blue, and green – that deliver the message about taking action and declaring involvement in helping save the environment hence the theme ‘I am involved.’

Garcia stressed that being involved means supporting the celebration of the United Nation’s International Year of the Forests and by having a green lifestyle simply by using eco bags.

She said the launching of the new eco bags coincides with SM Supermalls’ response to its recent partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, in which they inked a memorandum of understanding, detailing a two-year partnership that specified the observance of the UN International Year of Forests.

‘When SM introduced the first Eco Bags in all its malls, plastic bag use was reduced by 30 percent,’ Garcia said.

‘That means a decrease in energy and water consumption to produce plastic bags and less plastic produced means less plastic thrown away that can cause harm to the environment,’ she added.

Garcia added that the SM Eco Bag raises environmental consciousness among shoppers to make positive changes that have lasting effect on our planet through the responsible use of the eco bags.

Aside from serving as a shopping or grocery bag, the eco bag priced at P35 can also carry other things such as books, documents, and school projects.

It can also be used as a tote bag for weekend trips or for carrying accessories.

‘Proceeds from every SM Eco Bag purchased will be for the benefit of an environmental cause and will make significant contribution to saving the earth,’ Garcia said.