SUSTAINABLE SPOTLIGHT - BAGBOARD
What is the future of Out-of-Home advertising? We’d argue it’s Bagboard. Bagboard is a conscious shopping platform that allows brands to advertise without damaging the planet through digital advertising and the use of smart bags. Smart bags are recyclable bags with advertisements of sustainable brands. Anyone can go on the Bagboard website and order one for free, then use the QR code on the bag to register it to the app, which will track the movement of the bag and the number of impressions (people who have seen the advertisement on the bag). The people using the bags will then receive discounts to sustainable brands. This sustainable advertising is impact-free, uses recycled paper over plastic bags, removes ocean plastic (through the company’s partnership with Plastic Bank) and brings awareness to sustainable brands. Below we hear from a member of Bagboard’s team to find out more.
- What does it mean to be a ‘conscious’ shopping platform?
Bagboard helps bring together like minded folk, who are kind to people and the planet. Be they brands who advertise on our smart, reusable, water resistant, eco bags - or everyday people who want to shop better. Doing things this way means we get to reward the people who are being all around good eggs. While our shoppers are doing the legwork carrying our free smart bags, we’re removing ocean bound plastic on their behalf, thanks to our partnership with Plastic Bank. And, as a major reward, we offer our Bagboarder’s Conscious Coins - or CCX - which they can redeem with any of our brands on the app.
- Why should we all sign up to carry a smart bag?
Well, quite honestly - why wouldn’t you? We’re all carrying a reusable bag anyways. And, we all know the planet needs us to make some big changes on a huge scale, as well as individually. And, hey - we know shopping sustainably isn’t accessible or affordable for everyone. That’s why we’ve done our homework and partnered with some of the most conscious brands disrupting the market right now. It’s also why we’re rewarding our users with CCX, because we want everyone to experience the amazing products our partners are selling and support the brands (like Coral Eyewear) that care about people and the planet.
- What advice would you give to someone trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
We’re big fans of the small stuff, so starting with it is key. Think of the small changes you can make that don't impact your life too much. Do what's achievable, then when you’re able to, incorporate more sustainable changes into your lifestyle. It’s a process, and nobody can arrive knowing everything. Be excited to learn how you can make a difference, because we can when we work together.
And on that note - realise that nobody is perfect. Sometimes we forget reusable cups. That doesn’t make us the bad guys. Doing nothing, inaction - that’s the bad stuff.
- Which big news stories give you hope for the future?
In our Weekly Good News emails, we consistently explore the good stuff happening globally. Because, let’s face it, there’s a lot of doom and gloom out there and it’s easy to get swept up in the dirge. So, here’s a few that have really made our day. And you know what, some of them aren’t big news stories, but by focusing on the small things that make every day brighter, they add up to big impact.
We’re creating the world’s first paper-based laundry detergent bottle
Cambridge University: Stormzy and HSBC fund 30 black students
- What other sustainable brands are you a fan of?
Our partners are consistently showing us how to be better by making better choices everyday. We stand by each and every one of them, so we’d have to say, the entire Bagboard marketplace which range from products like activewear from TALA to vegan meals from allplants to skincare made from used coffee grinds from UpCircle. We’re inspired by the amazing work our partners are doing at the intersection between profit and purpose.
If you’d like to find out more about Bagboard, go to their website.