Eco-Friendly

*Other* Cool Products Made From Recycled Materials

We are so excited about our new 100% recycled fabric! Finally, after many years and a lot of research, we have found a recycled fabric that meets our high quality, durability, functionality and look and feel standard! Voila! Now we are curious about other hip products that are made from recycled materials so we looked around and picked our top five. Check them out!

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Unique Gift Ideas for Men

Dad, hubby, son, brother - and the gardener! For all the special guys on your list, we've found a few unique gifts that we know he'll love!

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Simple Steps, Big Impact - How We Can Protect Our Oceans

In honor of Earth Day this year, we’ve dug a little deeper into its meaning and origin. Turns out that its birth on April 22, 1970 marks the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Demonstrations in support of environmental awareness erupted nationally and by the end of that year marked the US government’s formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By 2009, the United Nations validated “International Mother Earth Day,” and now today, 193 countries celebrate Earth Day worldwide

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UMB’s Sustainable and Chic Gift Guide

We are seeking sustainable, unique and chic this year so we’ve gathered some luxe gift ideas that are sure to delight! And for added efficiency while reducing wasteful packaging, gather a group together to go in on one special thing and wrap it in a UMB! 🧡

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New Year, New Giving Resolutions?

We know that lifestyle changes, even small ones, can make a big difference for the environment — and we do our part by shopping local, using nontoxic and sustainable products, conserving water, driving less, using reusables (our Urban Market Bags of course!), the list goes on … But this year when thinking “what else can we do,” we remembered that there are teams of dedicated organizations and people working tirelessly to move the needle with climate change and the environment, and they can use our support! So we turned to Charity Navigator to help us and thought we’d highlight our top six favorites for you. 🌎🧡

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Ten Things We Couldn’t Do During Quarantine … But Now Can!

As life outside of our home resumes, we have a much greater appreciation for all of the “little” things that we used to be able to do. Now that we are starting to be able to do them again, we are thinking about how to reincorporate sustainability into our mindset and actions.

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Tips for a Sustainable Household

This past year brought us closer to home (quite literally) and has helped us rethink some of our daily habits. Here are four tips for a sustainable household from our archives and like-minded friends.

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Sustainability Essentials

The start of a new year is the best time to revisit the basics and remind ourselves which foundational habits are important to maintain. Our daily commitment to impactful actions is what creates real change over the course of months and years. So, let's talk about sustainability essentials!

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Whats in the Bag: 20 Last Minute, Highly Useable, Eco-Minded Gifts

Here it is, the ultimate guide to last-minute gifts! A highly-curated list of extremely usable, easy to find, eco-friendly gifts that you can feel good about giving. It’s the thought that counts, but it doesn’t hurt to be extra thoughtful about your loved ones and the environment. Preview Html

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Five Easy Ways to Show Your Gratitude for the Planet

Studies have shown that we can change our brain patterns after only eight weeks of gratitude practice, allowing us to feel greater happiness and empathy. This season, in acknowledgment of the tough impact we’ve had on the environment, we wanted to test this theory out and come up with some ideas to help us show gratitude for the planet. Trying to make a difference as an individual can be overwhelming, but we discovered that there are many small acts of gratitude that collectively can make a big difference. Find an idea that speaks to you, practice gratitude, experience happiness ... and inspire others along the way!

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Earth Day 2019: Protect Our Species

It’s hard to ignore the facts. Humans are responsible for the greatest rate of extinction since we lost the dinosaurs. The far-reaching effects of human destruction have impacted all kinds of living things such as bees and insects, coral reefs, sea turtles, whales and countless others. This Earth Day, we’re taking a closer look at the some of the devastation we’re dealing with and how we can reverse the trend. Education is the first step. We checked out earthday.org to get up to speed.

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Individually we are one drop. Together we are an ocean.

Join us as we chat with the founders of Urban Market Bags to hear about the inspiration behind the new Ocean 3-pack.

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Campaign to Save the Rain

It has been raining and pouring here in California (and, man, did we need it). As our lush landscape returns, we are reminded that water is essential to our being. The EPA estimates that about half of of municipal water use is devoted to landscaping and a third to residents’ home use. Harvesting rainwater is great way to conserve resources AND feed your hungry garden. Need more convincing?

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Spring Clean Your Habits: The Eco-Friendly Edition

Spring into action this season and make a pledge to create eco-friendly habits that will stick around for good. Don’t get overwhelmed. At Urban Market Bags, we’ve found that one small commitment is all it takes to tip the scale in the right direction.

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Five Tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday

Let's face it, the holidays can be overwhelming. With all the chatter, it's easy to lose sight of some important issues such as making sustainable and eco-friendly choices. We've come up with a few ways you can cut back and conserve while celebrating in style.

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Dirty Politics: Decoding California’s Proposed Plastic Bag Ban

California voters chose to uphold the first statewide ban on single-use plastic or paper carryout bags this week, setting a precedent for other states to follow. This is a momentous step toward reducing waste and protecting the environment. Way to go, California! In case you are rushing to the polls and don’t have time to brush up on the California ballot measures, Urban Market Bags has you covered when it comes to plastic bags. Here is what you need to know about Proposition 65 and Proposition 67.

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Businesses with a Fresh Spin on Sustainability

Life is busy, but making sustainable choices doesn't need to be a hassle. We covet these brands and products which make going green easy.

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Our Milestones <3

Since we launched in April of 2014, it’s fun to look back and see where we’ve been and how we’ve launched into the fight against plastic bags!

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Can We Be Empathetic to Plastic?

We admit, there have been times when we’ve felt judgmental about people who use plastic. We thought “come on world, GET ON BOARD! We have a plastic island twice the size of Texas in our ocean! Wake up!”

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No Plastic, It’s the Lifestyle

Thank you Hawaii, the first state to officially ban plastic bags. After spending time on the Big Island in Kona, it’s easy to understand why the locals are so accepting and supportive of anti-plastic bag legislation. It’s their lifestyle. Many signs on the island express statements like “leave the sand, it’s the local way” or “do your part to preserve the island” as a reminder of how important it is to honor the Earth’s beauty. And Hawaii makes it easy. There are compost and recycle bins on most busy corners. The streets and beaches are well-kept. Everyone does his or her part to maintain the pristine land. And now, the plastic bag ban. Because of this heightened consciousness, we were moved to avoid all unnecessary plastic, paper and other disposable materials during our stay on the island. Instead of considering the ban of plastic bags as a burden, it’s celebrated and embraced. We get it—as you walk along the beaches and consider the garbage that ends up in the ocean, it’s a tragic injustice to sea animals and the environment—and we commend Hawaii for this bold and critical move.

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