UK Steel Enterprise invest £88k into Sheffield eco-company

Sheffield eco-company Bag It Don’t Bin It is set to expand and meet the growing demand for ethical and eco-friendly accessories after receiving an investment fund from UK Steel Enterprise.

Bag It Don’t Bin It (BIDBI), which produces eco bags, was founded in 2008 by Sheffield native Julia Gash, with the goal to make fair trade, sustainable canvas bags an eco-friendly marketing tool.

With the £88k funding, BIDBI will be able to invest in sophisticated, larger format print machines, and allow the company to expand into markets which need the print ‘edge-to-edge’ technology.

The investment is being provided by Tata Steel subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise, which has helped finance thousands of growing companies.

The financial aid will also be used to create an e-commerce site for Talented, BIDBI’s tote bag brand.

UK Steel Enterprise manages the Equity Growth Fund, established to provide up to £1m of investment capital to growing companies which are able to create jobs. Since being established the company has helped over 6,000 businesses in steel regions across the country and are committed to investing in expanding businesses.

Keith Williams of UK Steel Enterprise said: “BIDBI has developed a product that offers business a way to lower their carbon footprint and market their business.

“We are pleased to support the company’s investment into new equipment and e-commerce - and believe that the funding will help propel the business, encouraging growth in the use of eco-friendly accessories as well as creating jobs.”

Julia Gash, CEO of BIDBI, added: “We’ve previously produced bags for clients including Jimmy Choo, Liberty of London, Harvey Nichols, British Museum and National Gallery of Art and want to increase our awareness allowing us to continue to cater for household brands.

“This investment funding will allow us to purchase print machinery and take additional market share - particularly targeting those from the cultural industries sectors which is our biggest growth area.”

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