Lincoln Academy’s Climate Action Club , located in Damariscotta, Maine, has been trying to raise awareness about reusable bags in their community for several years. Headed by Chloe Maxim, the CAC created a video about the problems with plastic bags . Subsequently, Chloe and the CAC gained recognition by the Sundance Channel, MTV, and others. The project began with a video, and then a pledge page (to pledge the use of reusable bags). From there, it blossomed into a full-blown campaign. Their goal? Reduce the use of plastic bags in Damariscotta by distributing town-wide custom-imprinted reusable bags.
The CAC, together with local businesses, organizations, and individuals, sponsor the bags in exchange for their logo imprinted on each reusable bag. The CAC led a very successful merchant’s meeting last March to discuss their campaign with local merchants Former Maine Representative Ted Koffman and reusable bag expert Suzette Bergeron of Bulletin Bag.
In the weeks following the meeting, support for a town-wide reusable bag initiative was determined–with merchants agreeing to work with the CAC to create awareness and help distribute the bags and create awareness. Bulletin Bag helped Chloe weed through all of the bag options and designed the logo-imprint layout, which was a challenge because many logos had to fit into a small imprint area.
Two months later, the CAC had raised $4,300 to buy 1,900 reusable bags to be used as a fundraiser to further support the efforts of the group. The CAC also collaborated with a local 5th grade class who purchased 100 bags from the CAC, and then donated them to a local food pantry. The food pantry plans to give out the bags to its customers.
This custom-imprinted reusable bag campaign is ripe for success since the program also offers long-term marketing benefits to the merchants and organizations involved. Participating merchants have their logo permanently printed on the bags. The person who makes household purchasing decisions will see this unique ‘advertisement’ at least once a week. In addition, the sponsors gain loyalty by demonstrating their commitment to the environment — and the town’s students.
Be sure to check out the CAC’s segment on logo-imprinted reusable bags on the Sundance Channel on October 13, 2009. This group of creative, determined students proves that reusable bags are a ‘green step’ in a ripple effect of awareness about how little things we do to can create a more environmentally responsible society. Damariscotta truly is a small town making a big difference!
(Hot off the presses: if you think Chloe Maxmin is as amazing as we do, you can vote for her in the People’s Choice Awards through the Maine Natural Resources Council. Pass it on!)
