Africa Bags, Inc. is a non-profit corporation focused on creating economic opportunity in the African country of Malawi. By selling cloth
grocery bags made in Malawi, we will provide a sustainable income opportunity for its residents. Additionally, use of
these bags will diminish the need for environmentally hazardous plastic grocery bags.
The cloth shopping bag is part of a fast-growing, emerging market. As consumers stop using single-use plastic bags, the demand for reusable
shopping bags will continue to increase. Many countries now have either a plastic bag ban or a plastic bag tax in place.
These bags take over 1,000 years to degrade, releasing toxic waste into our environment in the process.
Malawi is a landlocked African nation, approximately the size of Pennsylvania, with a population of 12 million people. The
average life expectancy is only 37 years and falling, primarily due to the high rate of AIDS, malaria, and waterborne
illnesses. Malawi has been called the "perfect storm" of human deprivation. It is one of the world's
least developed and poorest countries. Ninety percent of the inhabitants live in rural areas, relying on subsistence
farming as their main source of income.
Most charitable efforts result in a short-term fix for the extreme poverty in Africa; the underlying issues that
created the problem still exist. Africa Bags' goal is to provide a long-term solution for the people of Malawi.
By creating a sustainable economy in the poorest villages, Africa Bags can give the Malawians an opportunity to provide for
themselves. The cycle of poverty can then be broken.
Consumers who purchase Africa Bags will be reducing the use of plastic in their own communities while contributing to a higher quality of life for Malawi residents.
Africa Bags, Inc. is a 501 c non profit corporation. Donation of money or services will be tax
deductible. 100% of all profits will go back to the economies of Malawi. Our accounting will be transparent,
with yearly accounting details published on this web site. Purchase of cloth grocery bags will provide a long-term,
sustainable benefit to the environment and to the people of Malawi.
Please look around our site. You can
find more information about Malawi, the plastic grocery bag, our products, what you can do to help, and information about the people you are helping. Join our mailing list and we can keep you updated in our fight to reduce poverty in Malawi.
Most
importantly, please tell your friends and family about Africa Bags.
