Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070) is continuing its focus on sustainable retail brands, announcing an expanded partnership with KeepCool to carry its KeepMe reusable jute totes.

Jute products have been growing in popularity as an environmentally sound, low-impact material. Jute is a natural plant that grows easily and quickly, needing fewer resources than cotton for cultivation. The renewable resource also acts as a carbon sink; it sequesters a substantial quantity of carbon during the agricultural stage. Durable and reusable, jute bags are also biodegradable, decomposing naturally at their end of life.

The KeepMe tall tote (101925) is one of several jute bags now offered by Gemline (asi/56070).

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The inclusion of KeepMe jute totes in its product lineup meshes well with Gemline’s “betterway” corporate responsibility initiative, which is focused on making a positive impact on people, planet and product, according to the Lawrence, MA-based supplier.

“As part of our commitment to building a better future, we are thrilled to add KeepMe reusable bags to our expansive line of eco-conscious product offerings,” said Frank Carpenito, president and CEO of Gemline. “This expanded partnership underscores Gemline’s unwavering dedication to responsible product innovation, which is reflected in our consistent use of lower-impact materials.”

KeepMe is a sister brand of Out of the Woods and Out of the Ocean, which Gemline introduced into the industry in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Out of the Woods specializes in Forestry Stewardship Council-certified reusable bags and insulated coolers made out of “Supernatural Paper,” created from tree cellulose sourced from responsibly managed forests. Out of the Ocean produces reusable bags made from 100% ocean plastic; each bag, at minimum, removes the equivalent of three plastic bottles from oceans and waterways.

Carpenito noted that the new products are just another step in Gemline’s efforts toward sustainability. “With our ever-increasing breadth of eco-conscious products, our first-to-market use of Aware traceability technology, and a 2025 commitment to eliminate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in our product line, we are leaders in the area of corporate social responsibility within the promotional products industry,” he added.

Founded in 1958, Gemline ranked 12^th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry, with reported 2022 North American promotional product revenue of $151 million.

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