Whalebags wins BizIdea competition!
Congratulations to Carolyn Newton of Whalebags who has won the Best Business Idea award in the 2008 BizIdea competition at the University of the West of England.
Launched with the help of BRAVE Enterprise, Whalebags supplies a range of plastic-free shopping bags that fold neatly into their own integrated pouches allowing for easy carrying in a handbag or pocket.
Carolyn Newton, a primary school teacher was horrified at discovering the impact that discarded plastic bags of all types have on the environment, with over 100,000 whales, seals, turtles, albatross and other marine wildlife dying every year as a result. She decided she wanted to make a difference, whilst making future generations more environmentally aware through her teaching.
Carolyn discovered that although 87 per cent of the population buy several ‘Bags For Life’ with the intention of helping the environment, busy lives mean many to forget to carry them when they go shopping.
She became inspired to find a better solution for shoppers and has spent eight months working on an innovative new concept.
Unlike many bags for life, Whalebags - which are available in two designs; a ‘humpback’ rucksack or a ‘blue whale’ shoulder bag - are designed to be easily portable thanks to their foldaway design and so can always be kept to hand. Made from one hundred per cent cotton/calico and fully washable, they are very strong with a capacity of up to 28 litres and have limited seams to reduce the risk of splitting.
Carolyn has already secured advanced orders from eight environmentally-aware retailers including Fresh and Wild at The Triangle in Clifton, Wild Oats in Whiteladies Road and Born in Gloucester Road, Bristol. Shoppers will be able buy the bags in-store or they can be ordered online at www.whalebags.com. Prices start from £6.50 on the internet.
“Consumers are now more aware that plastic bags are not really free - they actually have a real environmental cost.” says Carolyn. “Many people are open to using a more eco-friendly option but until now alternatives were not always compact or convenient.
“My ambition for the future is that plastic bags will eventually be banned or have a levy placed on them. By launching Whalebags, I hope to contribute to cutting their use and as a result, help towards a better future for marine wildlife and the environment as a whole.”
Carolyn sought help in setting up her business from BRAVE Enterprise, the Bristol-based organisation that supports start-up and growing businesses.
“I could not have got to this stage without BRAVE.” says Carolyn. “I had help with everything from preparing a business plan to planning finances, from research to sourcing and manufacturing the products and website construction and design. BRAVE has provided the skills and knowledge to help my dream become a reality.”
John FitzGerald of BRAVE Enterprise says: “Carolyn passionately believes in what she is doing, developing a product that everyone could - and should - own, which also addresses one of the big environmental issues of the day. She has put an enormous amount of effort into the careful planning of her business and this is already delivering good results.
“Whalebags is yet another example of the incredible wealth of innovative new enterprises starting in Bristol. It is a huge pleasure to be part of an organisation that will support and nurture these fantastic and exciting businesses towards future success.”
Whalebags Ltd, 6 Elton House, 1 Rodney Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4HZ. Tel: 07870 685994 www.whalebags.com