Earth Bags

Earthbags.com is a Certified SSI Unit with ISO 9001:2008 accreditation from BVQI [Bureau Veritas is a
world leader in Testing, Inspection and Certification services].It is a Socially Compliant unit – Audited
by CSCC for Federated Stores, USA. It holds In-house Capacity of 1.8 Million jute bags per year with
expansion program in hand. The company has a Experience of 18 years in manufacturing jute
shopping bags. The Strengths of the company can be described over production of Jute bags
accounting for 100% of the turnover of the company. There is total focus on quality and customer
satisfaction. The Important Markets for the products of this company lie at USA and Europe.

Production
The company produces three varieties of Jute bags. They include Printed, Stitched and embroidered
bags. The type of bags produced are beach bags, carry bags, reversible bags, cotton , cotton canvas
bags and wine bags. The Production unit has following facilities.
•Printing – In-house screen printing tables with plans to install fully automatic screen printing
machines for larger production run.
•Stitching – In-house capacity to produce 150K bags per month with plans to increase
production capacity to 500K bags per month.
•Embroidery – Automatic Japanese embroidery machines on same floor for control of quality
and production.
These bags are made from jute, a fast growing natural plant fibre. Earthbags are strong, re-usable
and naturally green due to this reason.
Earthbags strives to help the environment by encouraging more and more people worldwide to
use earth friendly bags.

About Jute
Jute is one of the strongest natural plant fibre. Jute is a long, soft, shiny plant fibre that can be spun
into coarse, strong threads. It’s the second most important vegetable fibre after cotton in terms of
usage, global consumption, production and availability.
Fabrics made of jute fibres are carbon-dioxide neutral and naturally decomposable. Its an
extremely eco-friendly textile.
It grows best in warm, humid climates. India, Bangladesh, and China are the main producers of
jute.

Process of making fabric:
When the plants are about 15-20 cm tall, they are thinned out. About four months after planting,
harvesting begins. The stalks are cut off close to the ground. The stalks are tied into bundles and
retted (soaked) in water for about 20 days. This process softens the tissues and permits the fibres to
be separated. After retting, the bundles are beat on the root end with a mallet to start the fibers
which are wrapped around the fingers and the stems are jerked back and forth in the water to
separate the fibers. The fibres are then stripped from the stalks in long strands and washed in clear,
running water. Then they are hung up or spread on thatched roofs to dry. After 2-3 days of drying,
the fibres are tied into bundles. Jute is graded (rated) according to its colour, strength, and fibre
length. The fibres are off-white to brown, and 1-4 m long. Jute is pressed into bales for shipment to
manufacture jute yarn which is then later woven into jute fabrics.Jute processing is concentrated
mainly in Kolkata,India.

Important Features of Jute:
•Jute is 100% bio-degradable & recyclable and thus environment friendly.
•Jute is a natural fibre with golden & silky shine, and hence nicknamed as The Golden Fibre.
•Jute is a vegetable fibre procured from bast of the Jute plant and it falls into the category
of bast fibres (other bast fibres are Flax, Hemp, Ramie, etc.).
•Jute is the second most important vegetable fibre after cotton.
•Jute has high tensile strength, and low extensibility.
•Jute is one of the most versatile natural fibres that has been used in raw materials for
packaging, textiles, non-textile, and agricultural sectors.
•Jute stem has very high volume of cellulose that can procured within 4-6 months, and
hence it also can save the forest and meet cellulose and wood requirement of the world.
•Raw Jute & Jute goods are interpreted as Burlap, Industrial Hemp, and Kenaf in some parts
of the world.
•The best source of Jute in the world is the Bengal Delta Plain, which is occupied by
Bangladesh and India.

Social Responsibilities
Every once in a while the government passes out an order banning shop keepers from providing
plastic bags to customers for carrying their purchases, with little lasting effect. Plastic bags are very
popular with both retailers as well as consumers. Even though they are one of the modern
conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, they are responsible for causing pollution,
killing wildlife, and using up the precious resources of the earth. Plastic bags do not decompose soon
and it affects the environment in a hazardous way.
As a human we can contribute to the eco system by using eco-friendly jute bags.

Few advantages of Jute Bags are as follows-
Eco-friendly: – Jute fiber is 100% bio-degradable and decomposable. One hectare of jute plants
can consume about 15 tons of CO2 and release about 11 tons of oxygen during the jute growing
season.
Recyclable & Durable:- Jute Bags are most durable than other bags. It is not easy to tear them like
Plastic and Paper. The average Life Time of the Bag generally is more than five years. And, of course,
as it is a natural fiber, it can be recycled hundred of times unlike Plastics and can be subjected to
rough use. It is virtually no maintenance bag.
A successful Reusable Promotional Tool: One of the most salient uses of the Jute Bags these days, is
as a Promotional tool employed by various organization. Jute Bags give your advertisement and
promotional efforts more visibility because they are Reusable and stay in the hands of the customer
for the longer duration of time. Any kind of design, logo & imprint can be done on them, without
harming the aesthetics of your Bag. Your customers can always reuse them for their future shopping
and packing needs. Also, the reusable factor, gives Your Logo printed on these bags more mileage.
Elegant: Jute Bags look very elegant with their Natural Golden Color. They are also available in a
wide range of colors. Any kind of design, logo & imprint can be done on them, as per the
requirement of the customers.
Cheap and Cost Effective: It is cheaper and cost effective and does not tax your pocket.
Single-use plastic bags have become such a ubiquitous way of life that it seems as if we simply
cannot do without them. However, if we have the will, we can start reducing their use by using Jute
Bags. While governments may be working out ways to lessen the impact of plastic bags on the
environment, each of us should shoulder some of the responsibility for this problem, which
ultimately harms us.

Steps taken by Eartbags.com
•Supplied to some of the world’s largest retails, including Macys, Unilever, Ponds amongst
various others. These companies have very high ethical standards that have to be met and
we work very closely with the CSR Managers to ensure that these standards are taken care.
Independent auditors from various leading bodies audit us on a regular basis ensuring that
the company meets the Social Responsibility.
•Associated with Round Table India, member of Round Table International- Round Table India
members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to help people and
educate underprivileged children.
•Free Bags distributed to children. It creates awareness and also idea of use of eco-friednly
bags.
•The company Organised Car Rally Competition for blind people and also organise painting
competition for under privilege children.

Awards & Certificates
Camilla International’s Accreditations
Fairtrade Practise
Camilla International is NOT a certified Fair trade company. BUT follows strict Fair Trade Principals as
set up by the Fairtrade Foundation ensuring that fair wages and supports are given to all people
associated with the company.They are are also audited by leading cos like SGS, STR as 3rd party
audits for various chainstores allover the world.
Organic (GOTS)
All of our organic products are made of GOTS certified yarns. Certificate can be provided if required.
SEDEX
Camilla International are members of SEDEX.
SEDEX, the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange, is a membership organisation for businesses committed
to continuous improvement of the ethical performance of their supply chains.
BSCI
Camilla International are members of BSCI.
BSCI, The Business Social Compliance Initiative is a leading business-driven initiative for companies
committed toimproving working conditions in the global supply chain. It unites 700+
companies around a development-oriented system applicable to all sectors and sourcing countries.
ISO 9001:2008
ISO 9001:2000 is an international standard related to quality management, applicable to any
organization from all types of business sectors and activities. It is based on eight quality
management principles (all fundamental to good business practicAwards & Certificates
Camilla International’ Awards
Export Promotional Council of Handicrafts award for Excelent Export Growth in 2008-09
Camilla International was awarded for Excelent Export Growth for achieving outstanding export
performance in the entire country for Jute Handicrafts. This was only possible due to the support of
our repeat customers who time and again trusted us and kept on growing our sales.
Top Export Award for Year 2011-12
Camilla International was awarded for Top Export Award for achieving outstanding export
performance in the entire country for Jute Handicrafts. This was only possible due to the support of
our repeat customers who time and again trusted us and kept on growing the sales.
West Bengal Development Corp, a govt undertaking needed bags to give away to their foreign
delegates visiting the city and the company was chosen for this job.Camilla International is widely
praised and referred in various govt organisations in the state.
Jute Bags from Earthbags distributed in PanIIT Global Conference 2012
On 7th December PanIIT Global Conference 2012 was held at Science City Auditorium, Kolkata. West
Bengal Chief Minister Ms.Mamata Banerjee presented the Delegates a Bag of Goodies. The same
bags were supplied by Earthbags. It was a stiff call as they were asked to supply bags within few
hours. However, as a favorable supplier to the Government sectors, they kept the promise and was
widely acknowledged by the Government officials.

Order Information
Sampling: Samples can be made ready in a week’s time with customised prints. Screen set-up
charges are 15 USD per colour with a minimum of 50 USD. Requirements are client’s courier
account details to send samples.
Fabric: Jute bags are generally coated inside with PP or LDPE lining until and unless
otherwise specified. Colours are dyed to match PMS, however exact colour matching is not
possible due to the natural fibres. The shade may differ slightly from lot to lot.
Dyes & Paints: Azo Free Direct Dyes are used in all bags to follow EU Standards. However
full colour fastness is not guaranteed in this oxy cellulose fibre. Reactive colours can be used
on special request to improve colour fastness. The inks used for printing are pigment cols and
also Azo free.
Printing: Bags are silk screen printed and might have registration variation as printing is done
by hand and not with help of machines. Printing cost depends on number of cols used and
coverage area. Printing costs 10 US Cents for the first col. and then 5 US Cents for additional
cols approximately.
Packaging: All orders are packaged in bulk in standard sized cartons (22″x18″x15″) unless
otherwise requested. Quotes would differ if specific packaging or individual poly packing is
required.
Lead Time (Customised Bags): 4 to 6 weeks based on style and quantity. When production
time allows, rush orders may be pre-approved at no charge. Lead time may change due to
delay in receipt of artwork, pre-production proof / sample (if required). Please indicate if the
requirement is within a specific time frame.
Ordering Information: Sizes mentioned in the catalogue are in inches (Height x Width x
Gusset). Please assist us for quick processing of orders by specifying Style Number, Body
Colour, Gusset Colour, Printing matter and colour, Quantity and Shipping date.
Value Add-Ons:
The value of the bag can be increased by including:
•Snap Buttons / Velcro Closure
•Zipper Closure
•Inside / Outside Pockets
•P / P Board for stiffer bottoms
•Your company / brand name hang tags and wash care labels & Customised Packing
Customised Bags: Customised sizes, shapes, handles, fabric colour as well as prints can be
provided. Contact us for quotes for development of the same.
Over-runs & Under-runs: We reserve the right to ship 5% over or under and will bill
accordingly.
Note to the reader : As the bags are made from a natural fibre and are hand crafted, variation should be well accepted as a beauty of the product and should not be treated as a flaw.

By — Thrupthi R Prabhu

Resources :
•http://www.earthbags.com , last viewed on 31 jan 2017.
•http://www.bureauveritas.com , last viewed on 30 jan 2017.