As Japanese society becomes more aware of environmental issues, eco-bags have recently gained popularity. A growing number of businesses, including some of the largest retailers, are promoting the use of these bags.

At the Eco-Products 2008 fair, I saw reusable bags everywhere. Many of the exhibits gave away bags to visitors, and almost everyone walking around was carrying one or two of them.

Companies and organizations handed out free bags, offered them as a prize to green quizzes. and sold various designs of their eco-bags.

Though reusable bags are a superior alternative to disposable ones, the plethora of these bags at the fair seemed to undermine the goal of preserving resources. Perhaps marketing fueled these exhibitors more than reducing waste. I hope the attendees know that collecting eco-bags won’t help the environment. I saw some visitors had more than five bags in their hands.

Here is my suggestion to all exhibitors. Instead of handing out free bags or souvenirs, which are likely to end up in the trash can sooner or later, I would prefer nice organic rice crackers or cookies with a tea sample to boost my energy while walking for hours in the huge exhibition hall.

See some of the bags at the Eco-Products 2008 below.

The NGP Group explains their recycled parts business by handing out a bag with flyers. The material of this bag will not emit any harmful gases if incinerated.

Classically  designed WWF bags were for sale.

A rack full of colorful bags… they look nice, but the blue bag says…

Image Credit: All pictures are taken by Tetsuya Yokoyama