News – Page 2 – RunRunRun | Tote Bags, Reusable Bags
  • Chicago Extends Plastic Bag Ban to Smaller Stores

    Posted by Brian Dale

    Brian Dale Chicago:

    Starting Monday, Chicago’s year-old ban on single-use plastic bags applies to smaller chain stores.

    Since the law took effect on Aug. 1, 2015, chain stores with floor areas over 10,000 square feet have been prohibited from giving customers single-use plastic bags.  Read more at the Chicago Tribune. 

    Instead, those stores have been required to provide customers with reusable bags, recyclable paper bags or commercially compostable plastic bags. Permitted reusable bags include thicker plastic ones with handles that can be used at least 125 times.

    Now, smaller Chicago chain stores that are 10,000 square feet or less, including some 7-Eleven and gas station convenience stores, must adhere to the ban or face fines ranging from $100 to $500. 

    Under the ordinance, chain stores are defined as being “three or more stores with common ownership” or part of a franchise. Restaurants and non-chain stores are still allowed to use single-use plastic bags, regardless of their size.

    I think that this is a step in the right direction.  The intent of the original law passed in 2015 was largely ignored by these retailers when instead of encouraging people to use reusable fabric bags, they simply increased the thickness of the plastic bags they gave out for free.  This does not reduce waste or reduce our reliance on plastic.  It flies against the intent of the original bill. 

    Until Chicago restricts the retailers from simply increasing the thickness of the free plastic bags we won't see any improvement in the bags being  used and given away. 

     Already our Alderman Moreno is trying to crackdown on this loophole and I'm confident that Chicago will come around and make the right decision to ban all plastic bags, but its not happening in 2016 unfortunately. 

    Brian Dale
    Founder, RunRunRun
    Chicago 

     More Great Links:

    http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bacp/provdrs/enforce/alerts/2016/july/secondphaseplasticbagban.html

    http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2016/Plastic-Bag-Ban/

     

    Read more

  • Metropolitan Opera chooses RunRunRun - Brian Dale Chicago Founder and CEO Announces

    Posted by Brian Dale

    Brian Dale Chicago founder and CEO of RunRunRun announces that RunRunRun, Inc. (www.runrunrun.com), the leader in eco-friendly travel totes and accessories, will provide New York's Metropolitan Opera (http://www.metopera.org) with RunRunRun totes at the Metropolitan Opera gift shop and for gifts to VIPs.

     “We are greatly honored that the Metropolitan Opera has selected RunRunRun to provide product to their guests.  To be selected by this wonderful organization is a tremendous honor."  states Brian Dale.  "Great design goes hand in hand with our eco-friendly mission and this was a fantastic opportunity to tie that message to the creativity that comes out of every performance at Lincoln Center.  We admire their impeccable standards and feel lucky to have been selected."

    RunRunRun, based in Chicago, is known for making luxury eco-friendly totes and accessories.  Launched in 2011 by Chicago entrepreneur Brian Dale, with their signature Italia Shopper and Malibu Totes, the line has expanded to other fashion and travel accessories. Catering to both its wholesale/retail fashion clients as well as its robust custom division, RunRunRun provides its line to individuals, small boutiques, museums, hotels/resorts and other major organizations around the world.

    A small list of partner clients include:

    The Container Store
    The Art Institute of Chicago
    The International Spy Museum
    The Museum of Arts and Design New York
    The Peninsula Hotels
    Auberge Resorts
    St. Regis
    JW Marriott
    Miraval
    Fedex
    Subaru
    Food Network
    HGTV
    Princeton University
    Spence School
    Groton School

    ABOUT RUNRUNRUN:  RunRunRun, based in Chicago, is known for making luxury eco-friendly totes and accessories.  Launched in 2011 by Chicago entrepreneur Brian Dale with their signature Italia Shopper and Malibu Totes, the line has expanded to other fashion and travel accessories. Catering to both its wholesale/retail fashion clients as well as its robust custom division, RunRunRun provides its line to individuals, small boutiques, museums, hotels/resorts and other major organizations around the world.
    Visit www.runrunrun.com.

    Brian Dale
    Founder of RunRunRun
    Chicago 

     


    Princeton University chooses RunRunRun - Brian Dale Chicago Reports


    Brian Dale Chicago founder and CEO of RunRunRun announces that RunRunRun, Inc. (www.runrunrun.com), the leader in eco-friendly travel totes and accessories, will provide Princeton University (http://www.nytimes.com/topic/organization/princeton-university?8qa) with RunRunRun totes for alumni gifts.

     “We are greatly honored that an academic powerhouse such as Princeton University has selected RunRunRun to provide custom totes for their prestigious alumni.  Princeton University liked our design aesthetic as well as our environmental mission and we feel so lucky to have been selected." states Brian Dale Chicago founder and CEO of RunRunRun.  "Great design goes hand in hand with our eco-friendly mission and this was a fantastic opportunity for RunRunRun.

    RunRunRun, based in Chicago, is known for making luxury eco-friendly totes and accessories.  Launched in 2011 by Chicago entrepreneur Brian Dale, with their signature Italia Shopper and Malibu Totes, the line has expanded to other fashion and travel accessories. Catering to both its wholesale/retail fashion clients as well as its robust custom division, RunRunRun provides its line to individuals, small boutiques, museums, hotels/resorts and other major organizations around the world.

    A small list of partner clients include:

    The Container Store
    The Art Institute of Chicago
    The Museum of Arts and Design New York
    The Peninsula Hotels
    Auberge Resorts
    St. Regis
    JW Marriott
    Miraval
    Fedex 
    Subaru
    Food Network
    HGTV
    Princeton University
    Spence School
    Groton School

    ABOUT RUNRUNRUN:  RunRunRun, based in Chicago, is known for making luxury eco-friendly totes and accessories.  Launched in 2011 by Chicago entrepreneur Brian Dale with their signature Italia Shopper and Malibu Totes, the line has expanded to other fashion and travel accessories. Catering to both its wholesale/retail fashion clients as well as its robust custom division, RunRunRun provides its line to individuals, small boutiques, museums, hotels/resorts and other major organizations around the world. 
    Visit www.runrunrun.com.

    Brian Dale
    Founder of RunRunRun
    Chicago 

     


     

    International Spy Museum chooses RunRunRun for custom totes - (February 13, 2016, Chicago)

    Brian Dale Chicago founder and CEO of RunRunRun announces that RunRunRun, Inc. (www.runrunrun.com), the leader in eco-friendly travel totes and accessories, will provide the International Spy Museum (http://www.spymuseum.org) in Washington D.C. with RunRunRun totes for sale in the ISM gift shop.

     “We are greatly honored that such a dynamic organization as the International Spy Museum has selected RunRunRun to provide custom totes for their guests.  To be selected by this unique cultural wonder is tremendous." states Brian Dale, founder and CEO of RunRunRun.  "Great design goes hand in hand with our eco-friendly mission and this was a fantastic opportunity to tie that message to the fascinating history the museum has on display that our country can be so proud of everyday.  We feel lucky to have been selected by this top museum."

    RunRunRun, based in Chicago, is known for making luxury eco-friendly totes and accessories.  Launched in 2011 by Chicago entrepreneur Brian Dale, with their signature Italia Shopper and Malibu Totes, the line has expanded to other fashion and travel accessories. Catering to both its wholesale/retail fashion clients as well as its robust custom division, RunRunRun provides its line to individuals, small boutiques, museums, hotels/resorts and other major organizations around the world.

    A small list of partner clients include:

    The Container Store
    The Art Institute of Chicago
    The Museum of Arts and Design New York
    The Peninsula Hotels
    Auberge Resorts
    St. Regis
    JW Marriott
    Miraval
    Fedex 
    Subaru
    Food Network
    HGTV
    Princeton University
    Spence School
    Groton School

    ABOUT RUNRUNRUN:  RunRunRun, based in Chicago, is known for making luxury eco-friendly totes and accessories.  Launched in 2011 by Chicago entrepreneur Brian Dale with their signature Italia Shopper and Malibu Totes, the line has expanded to other fashion and travel accessories. Catering to both its wholesale/retail fashion clients as well as its robust custom division, RunRunRun provides its line to individuals, small boutiques, museums, hotels/resorts and other major organizations around the world. 
    Visit www.runrunrun.com.

    Brian Dale
    Founder, RunRunRun
    Chicago

     

     

    Read more

  • Portsmouth, New Hampshire - Who is banning bags and why?

    Posted by Brian Dale

    Brian Dale Chicago:  I'm interested in politics.  And its a well-known idea that all politics is local. Not just here in Chicago, but every locale.  So what I'm finding interesting lately with regard to environmental issues is the political diversity in terms of plastic bag bans.  

    As you know, at RunRunRun we follow closely developments in the reduction of disposable plastic bags. Some places have banned them.  Some have taxed them. (For more read at the NYTimes.com)  The method is not what I'm focused on today, but I am intrigued that so many DIFFERENT kinds of places are banning them and why. 

    The obvious one is the environmental harm that plastic bags cause.  In Los Angeles alone 10 metric tons of plastic pollution ends up in the Pacific Ocean every day! (source: http://ecowatch.com/2014/04/07/22-facts-plastic-pollution-10-things-can-do-about-it/)

    There are many other facts that the pollution ends up in the ocean and thus hurts animals and our drinking water and air.

    So its not a surprise to see liberal governments like Chicago, Malibu or Los Angeles pass a bag ban.

    However, look at cities like Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Unlike Chicago, a notoriously politically conservative state, but looking to ban plastic bags.  (source:  http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20160104/NEWS/160109825)  And in other countries that are politically conservative its happening too.  Just look at China, India and Thailand.  In Europe, Italy, Paris, Ireland and others have all made the switch.  The U.S. is late to the party here. 

    Why?  First, everyone agrees usually with the obvious environmental claims.  But, there are other reasons.  

    One is that shop owners often get good feedback when customers are encouraged to use a reusable bag.  Second, is many store owners offer their own logo bag that promotes their business and encourages more business.  Third, the bags are stronger and hold more and make it easier to shop with.  

    There are many others, but the bottom line is that politicians on both sides of the aisle are seeing the benefits of using reusable bags and furthermore reusable products of all types. 

    So keep your eyes and ears open to other locations and WHY they are moving toward using reusable products.  Its happening everywhere and with all kinds of people.

    Brian Dale
    Founder of RunRunRun
    Chicago

     

    Read more

  • New York and a new breeze blowing...

    Posted by Brian Dale

    I wanted to just say that I was really excited that we saw New York City elect a 5 cent fee for disposable bags at the checkout earlier this month.  Clearly Americans from coast to coast are making this a priority and seeing the value in a cleaner, sustainable town, city or in this case metropolis.  (For more about the NYC details at the NYTimes.com)

    Already so many cities have passed rules like this.  In my city of Chicago, last year they passed a rule, but its not having a big effect (yet) because retailers have been able to skirt the spirit of the law, by offering thicker plastic bags. Not what we all had in mind, but its a start. Already our Alderman Moreno is trying to crackdown on this loophole and I'm confident that Chicago will come around and make the right decision to ban all plastic bags.

    Brian Dale
    Founder of RunRunRun
    Chicago 

    Read more

  • Subaru chooses RunRunRun for custom totes - (February 25, 2016, Chicago)

    Posted by Brian Dale

    Brian Dale Chicago founder and CEO of RunRunRun announces that RunRunRun, Inc. (www.runrunrun.com), the leader in eco-friendly travel totes and accessories, will provide Subaru (www.subaru.com) with RunRunRun totes for their company store (http://www.subarugear.com/).

     “We are greatly honored that such an automotive leader like Subaru has selected RunRunRun to provide custom totes for their VIP customers.  To meet the rigorous standards of a world class organization as Subaru is a great honor." states Brian Dale, founder and CEO of RunRunRun.  "Great design goes hand in hand with our eco-friendly mission and this was a fantastic opportunity to partner with a great company."

    RunRunRun, based in Chicago, is known for making luxury eco-friendly totes and accessories.  Launched in 2011 by Chicago entrepreneur Brian Dale, with their signature Italia Shopper and Malibu Totes, the line has expanded to other fashion and travel accessories. Catering to both its wholesale/retail fashion clients as well as its robust custom division, RunRunRun provides its line to individuals, small boutiques, museums, hotels/resorts and other major organizations around the world.

    A small list of partner clients include:

    The Container Store
    The Art Institute of Chicago
    The Museum of Arts and Design New York
    The Peninsula Hotels
    Auberge Resorts
    St. Regis
    JW Marriott
    Miraval
    Fedex 
    Subaru
    Food Network
    HGTV
    Princeton University
    Spence School
    Groton School

    ABOUT RUNRUNRUN:  RunRunRun, based in Chicago, is known for making luxury eco-friendly totes and accessories.  Launched in 2011 by Chicago entrepreneur Brian Dale with their signature Italia Shopper and Malibu Totes, the line has expanded to other fashion and travel accessories. Catering to both its wholesale/retail fashion clients as well as its robust custom division, RunRunRun provides its line to individuals, small boutiques, museums, hotels/resorts and other major organizations around the world. 
    Visit www.runrunrun.com.

    Brian Dale
    Founder of RunRunRun
    Chicago  

     

    Read more