Are Your Office Goodie Bags Eco-Friendly?

By Shelby Tatomir on March 17, 2020 in Healthy Living

As a dental practice, it’s important to be environmentally conscious. Not only is it good for our planet, but also makes a positive impact on business. Consumers want to be green, and they expect companies to lead the way. 

You may have already factored in larger impact items, such as minimizing your electricity usage or reducing the amount of paper you use. But did you know that something as small as a goodie bag can negatively affect the environment? 

What Kind of Bag Are You Using?

Only 1% of plastic bags get recycled, and the rest can take an estimated 500 years to decompose in a landfill.

Solution: Rethink your bag or go bagless altogether! Try tying your dental goodies together with string or keep everything in a basket and have patients pick and choose what they really need.

Does the patient already have the goodies? The average American generates over four and a half pounds of garbage a day. Don’t contribute to this waste by providing excess goodies.

Solution: Aside from the standard toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste sample, what else does your goodie bag actually need? Consider what extras may make sense, like mouthwash and lip balm, and what you can ditch, like duplicate samples. 

How Necessary Is It?

Offering a goodie bag gives patients a positive impression of your practice, but not everyone needs an extra toothbrush.

Solution: Ask first. Asking, as opposed to just handing it out, gives patients their own choice and, ultimately, saves money on supplies.

How green is your goodie bag? Share your photos on Facebook or Twitter.