In April 2024, we identified sustainability as an essential trend in branded merchandise for businesses and consumers. Sustainability is more than a passing trend; it's the future of the promotional products industry.
A 2024 PwC survey showed that 80% of consumers will pay more for sustainable products. Some are willing to pay up to 9.7% more. Additionally, 46% choose products to lessen their environmental impact.
As climate change and resource loss worsen, businesses face pressure to reduce their carbon footprints and waste. Eco-friendly promotional products support corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts while building trust with both customers and employees.
At the same time, the inherent appeal of promotional items remains strong. The Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) found some interesting stats.
78% of consumers like getting branded merchandise.
73% want to receive them more often.
70% might switch brands if they receive a good promotional product from a new company.
Making sustainability part of your promotional products strategy can change ordinary swag into a strong message about caring for the environment. It also helps strengthen your brand's identity and values. If you're starting your sustainability journey or want to improve it, keep reading. You'll find helpful tips to make a real impact.
As the industry evolves, new trends are appearing. These trends mix functionality with care for the environment:
Many companies are turning to items like water bottles, tote bags, and travel mugs made from recycled or sustainable materials. These products reduce waste and encourage everyday reuse, which is excellent for the environment and a lasting reminder of your company's commitment to the planet.
Creative approaches to repurposing materials are on the rise. Upcycled swag includes unique promotional items made from old clothing, discarded plastics, or remnant fabrics, even old tents and tires. The goal is to transform potential waste into unique, useful products and keep them out of landfills. For example, Zero Waste Daniel uses innovative ways to turn hard-to-recycle materials into trendy streetwear and accessories.
Zero Waste Daniel is also capitalizing on the growing popularity of eco-friendly clothing. Clothing manufactured from organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other environmentally responsible materials aligns with a growing global shift toward sustainable fashion. Vendors like Patagonia and Cutter & Buck use materials such as Repreve Fabric, made from recycled plastic bottles, to reduce their impact.
Another growing trend is the use of plant-based products. Options like plantable seed paper and biodegradable pens merge functionality with a tangible connection to nature. Recipients feel like they’re contributing to greener practices.
Companies are also rethinking how they present promotional items and gifts. Using less packaging or choosing recyclable or compostable alternatives can reduce your company’s waste and make your marketing strategies more sustainable.
These trends highlight a broader move towards integrating sustainability into every aspect of a brand’s marketing and promotional strategies. Everyday items are becoming statements of environmental care.
Selecting sustainable corporate swag does not preclude you from offering high-quality items that stand the test of time and genuinely reflect your brand’s values. Here are some ways you can strike that balance.
Opting for products built from robust, reusable materials is a practical approach to reducing waste. For example, stainless steel water bottles and organic cotton tote bags are resilient, eco-friendly, and used daily.
Manufacturing methods that lower carbon emissions are increasingly in demand. Consider a travel mug produced in a facility that uses renewable energy. This reduction in emissions can help you make a measurable difference that you can use as both a marketing message and an achievement of ESG goals.
As we mentioned above, packaging plays a role in a product's overall environmental impact. Many companies have replaced conventional plastic packaging with compostable or recyclable alternatives, like cardboard, cork, paper, rice, and seaweed.
Finally, ensuring products are free from harmful chemicals promotes environmental health and user safety. For example, pens printed with water-based inks and notebooks made from recycled paper help avoid the release of pollutants. Reducing hazardous materials can lower cleanup costs and mitigate long-term environmental risks.
Recycled materials might offer limited color options due to manufacturing constraints. It's important to test these options early to ensure they align with your brand guidelines. Additionally, selecting items that resonate with your target audience enhances both functionality and appeal. Sustainability matters but keeping your brand consistent in all promotional materials is vital.
Choose products that are strong, safe, and kind to the planet. These features create impressive promotional items and gifts. But there's more to consider when balancing sustainability and design.
A thoughtful approach ensures that the items you choose are both environmentally responsible and aligned with your company's values. Here are some practical tips to guide your decision-making process.
Sustainable materials can differ in quality due to the nuances of their manufacturing processes. For example, recycled fabrics may have a distinct texture compared to their virgin counterparts. Request samples and compare them to your current promotional products. Check to see they meet your quality standards. This helps avoid surprises during product delivery.
Choose products designed to last. Quality over quantity is a sustainable principle that reduces the need for frequent replacements, lowering both waste and long-term costs.
Source products locally and choose eco-friendly shipping methods to reduce transportation-related emissions.
Validate that the products' colors, styles, and functionalities reflect your brand identity and appeal to your target market. For instance, if your customers are executives, they'll likely appreciate sustainability-produced items that are also functional, such as tech supplies or briefcases.
Work with suppliers that are transparent about their practices. Confirm that they adhere to recognized sustainability certifications and ethical labor standards. Next, we’ll identify the easiest ways to verify ethical sourcing.
Certifications and labels provide third-party validation of a product’s environmental and ethical credentials. Vendors may also join organizations dedicated to sustainable practices. Some key standards to consider include:
B Corporations: Companies certified as B Corporations meet rigorous social and environmental performance standards.
AWARE™: This hybrid traceability technology uses both physical tracers and blockchain to verify a textile's impact from its origin to the consumer.
1% for the Planet: Membership in this organization indicates that a portion of the company's revenue is dedicated to environmental causes.
FSC Certified Paper: FSC certification is a trusted mark of sustainable forestry practices, ensuring that paper products are sourced responsibly.
Recycled, Organic, and Biodegradable Labels: These labels confirm that the product's materials meet eco-friendly standards, either recycled content, organic certification, or biodegradability.
Fair Trade Certified: This certification marks products as produced under ethical labor practices and sustainable production methods.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): GOTS is the leading standard for organic fibers, confirming that the textile has been produced using sustainable practices across the entire supply chain (processing and trade).
Cradle to Cradle Certified: This label indicates that a product is designed to be safely recycled or biodegraded at the end of its life cycle.
Oeko-Tex and REACH Certified: These certifications verify that materials are free from harmful substances and comply with chemical safety regulations.
Incorporating products with these certifications will signal to customers that your promotional items (and brand values) are sustainable.
Once you've selected your sustainable swag, clearly communicating its benefits to your customers and employees is essential.
Add a section on your website or internal portals that explains your products' sustainability features. Detailed FAQs or brand guidelines can serve as educational and informational resources.
Use your social media channels to share the story behind your sustainable promotional items. Highlighting the sourcing, production process, and environmental impact can engage your audience before they even receive the swag.
Integrate sustainability into your company’s brand strategy. This reinforces your commitment internally and externally, making it a core part of your identity.
Consider adding a certification label or a unique logo on your marketing channels that signifies your products' sustainable credentials. Also include these marks on the actual products. This visual cue makes it easy for customers to recognize the eco-friendly attributes at a glance.
These practical tips will assist you in blending sustainable promotional products into your brand strategy. With clear certification markers and strong communication strategies, these steps show your commitment to protecting the environment. They also help your brand stand out as a leader in sustainable business practices.
Lastly, let's pull the information we've discussed into a case study from Phase 3's Branded Merchandise Team.
In 2023, Home Depot's Recycle and Sustainability team wanted to create a special gift box for Earth Day. The box would celebrate their recycling initiative and serve as a meaningful gift for vendors, suppliers, and internal teammates. Phase 3's goal was to curate an assortment of unique yet valuable branded products that embodied the spirit of Earth Day.
The Phase 3 team presented a thoughtfully assembled assortment of sustainable products that aligned with Home Depot's values and the theme of recycling and sustainability. They worked with the Home Depot team to refine the selection and create an engaging promotional product package.
The box featured a plantable pencil, a seed kit, a recycled tote bag, and a stainless steel straw. This mix of garden items and everyday products attracted a broad audience. The wide appeal maximized the impact of the promotional campaign.
Home Depot's Earth Day campaign succeeded due to the clever mix of products. The client was very happy with the quality of the swag, Phase 3’s competitive pricing, and the rapid turnaround time. Sourcing sustainable products often means planning ahead due to longer lead times. Starting discussions early allowed for a seamless ordering process and timely delivery.
Home Depot’s Earth Day kits are a prime example of how thoughtful product selection and careful planning can bring sustainability to life in branded merchandise. If you’re looking to create sustainable promotional items for your business, the key takeaways from this case study are to ensure relevance, focus on quality, plan ahead, and always aim for broad appeal.
Sustainability is changing the promotional products industry. Everyday items now serve as strong symbols of environmental care and brand trust. Integrating eco-friendly materials and ethical practices into your branded merchandise is a simple strategy to reduce your environmental footprint and build a stronger, more trusted brand image.
Ready to elevate your brand with eco-friendly swag? Visit our Sustainable Product Swag Shop for inspiration or contact Phase 3 today to discover how our creative solutions can help you build a more sustainable future while captivating your audience.