This is a guest post by John Simonetta, owner of Proforma Simonetta Freelance, an eco-friendly promotional items consultancy (see proformagreen.com). John’s blogs are designed to keep us up to date on the “greening” of his industry.
Owl brand bags made from 100% Post-Consumer recycled PET Fabric have been a very popular line in the promotional products industry since their introduction in 2008. Now, in time for the holidays, the Owl brand is expanding into a full range of items made from recycled bonded leather, to include wine totes, computer bags, mouse pads, and fine wallets.
What is recycled bonded leather? According to the website for OWL Promo, OWL™ recycled bonded leather is “truly unique in the market. No paper, wood or other fillers, just 100% leather fibers. Leather fibers are bonded together with natural rubber from the rubber tree – no toxic chemicals or harsh glues are used. Colors come from natural tanning oils and vegetable tannins derived from tree bark, fruits, leaves and roots. All dyes and pigments used are lead free. So only OWL™ recycled leather has the look, feel, and aroma of natural, full grain leather.”
I guess the best that I can write about this new line is that you really can not tell any difference between the Owl recycled leather and virgin leather products. I would even say that the Owl recycled leather is likely more supple than most leather promotional items we see here at the office, however I do not know whether that is because of the leather’s manufacture or simply because OWL™ makes such a good product, regardless of the materials involved.
OWL™ Recycled Leather is also specially formulated to burnish or darken with each logo deboss in the manner usually only seen in the very best European veg-tan leathers. The overall effect is a knockout promo item in which the leather becomes more lustrous over time.
Take for example the Recycled Leather Wine Caddy. The caddy stands 15 inches high with a 4.74 inch circumference. The simplicity of its design and materials used places this wine caddy into a class all by itself. Like all Owl products the Recycled Leather Wine Caddy carries a sewn-in label highlighting the caddy’s eco-friendly credentials. Color choices are Black, Coco, Red, Shiny Pink, and Sky Blue. EQP on these units is $35.85.
Ecopreneurists working in the beverage, hospitality, hotel, and restaurant industries should take a look at the Owl Recycled Leather Wine Caddy for use as a great holiday thank you gift to staff and existing clients. Actually anyone thinking of giving wine or spirits should think about these units. Remember once a bottle of wine is consumed it is gone, using a wine tote like the Recycled Leather Wine Caddy keeps your business name in front of your target audience all year long.
If you are ASI or PPAI and want more information on the manufacture of the Owl Recycled Line please contact Joe Mellaci, Director of Special Markets, Vallavista Corporation. If you would like to purchase these items for your own business please contact your local promotional items provider or email info@proformagreen.com.
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