Jun 10, 2009

Giant banners transformed into tote bags for charityBy Courtenay EdelhartBakersfield.com

Giant vinyl banners boasting of the latest McDonald’s burger promotion used to go in the trash when the sale ended, but a local franchise group is experimenting with a way to keep them out of landfills while helping sick children.

Golden Empire Operators Association, a trade group of nine owners of 31 Bakersfield area McDonald’s restaurants, is working with a northern California company to recycle the colorful banners into bags that will be sold to benefit the new Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House.

Ronald McDonald houses provide deeply discounted food and lodging for loved ones of seriously ill children undergoing medical treatment far from home.

The bags are only available in two locations, the Bakersfield Memorial Hospital gift shop and Guarantee Shoe Center.

“I love the idea,” said house manager Scarlett Sabin. “It’s a great benefit to the environment, and for them to come back and help this charity is just wonderful.”

It takes four square feet of vinyl to make a bag, said Andrea Ferris of Way to Be, the Hayward company manufacturing the bags. There are two styles available. A tote bag sells for $11, and a larger messenger bag sells for $21.

The newest Ronald McDonald House, which is at 420 34th St. on the campus of Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, is still raising money for last-minute purchases of furniture and housewares, but it’s expected to begin receiving its first guests later this month, Sabin said.

Recycled banner bags went on sale last week and so far they’re doing well, said Guarantee Shoe Center owner Roscoe Rolnick.

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