Conservation's in the bag

Customer Service Representative Elizabeth Barsi approached her manager at our Williamsville, NY Claims Service Center with an observation—and an idea for a very green initiative.

“I noticed when our customers were transferring their belongings out of their cars, we would give them large cardboard boxes and they would only fill them halfway,” says Elizabeth. “It seemed like a waste. So, I emailed my manager and mentioned the idea of reusable bags with the Progressive logo.  Seemed like a great way to be environmentally responsible, while at the same time advertising our brand.”

Prompted by Elizabeth’s idea, in March 2010, we began swapping cardboard boxes for bags at all our Service Centers. As a result, we saved 32,356 cardboard boxes and $8,723 in 2010.

According to a May 8, 2007 Washington Post article titled “Paper or Plastic?” it’s estimated that one reusable bag has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags and 500 paper bags over its lifetime.

“I was thrilled that my idea was adopted,” says Elizabeth. “Customers are really receptive to the reusable bags. And, it has a ripple effect … our customers can now take those bags and make the choice to reduce their use of plastic and paper bags.”