Top Eco-Friendly Promotional Products For Earth Day—And Beyond
People are passionate about the environment, so it's a great connection point if being green is an authentic component of your brand values. When it comes to promotional products, there's an enthusiasm for eco-friendly products like we haven't seen for other product categories.
Are you considering whether to go with conventional vs. eco-friendly when purchasing branded merchandise? Think about this:
On average, 42% of consumers have a more favorable opinion of an advertiser if the promotional product they receive is environmentally friendly. This jumps to 49% if recipients are female and more than 57% if they are ages 18-34.
Whether your brand is ecologically minded, you have sustainability initiatives and/or you want to create even more positive feelings around your brand, eco-friendly promotional products are the way to go.
Here's the great news: It's a simple switch! There are sustainable options for pretty much all your favorite products. Plus, they not only look great but are also priced attractively. Check out these top picks:
Eco-Friendly Reusable Straws
When you hit the drive-thru and slide a disposable straw into your favorite fizzy beverage, do you give that straw a second thought? Most people don't. But after a video of a turtle with a piece of plastic straw stuck in its nose went viral in 2018, many began seeing the convenient sipper as an environmental hazard.
As consumers have demanded alternatives to minimize plastic waste and help protect oceans, lakes and rivers, many corporations, fast-food chains and local restaurants have vowed to phase out disposable straws.
Say hello to reusable straws. Not only do they address a need to reduce disposable plastic goods but they also provide an excellent marketing opportunity. Eco-friendly reusable straw sets are offered in a variety of sizes to fit most tumblers, include a cleaning brush and come packaged for easy transport.
Stainless steel reusable straws are a popular option because they're eco-friendly, environmentally responsible, sustainable, reusable and dishwasher safe. Perfect for the modern brand.
What if your biz has a more organic aesthetic? Reusable straws made from a combination of polypropylene plus 20-30% reclaimed wheat stock, which is sustainable and renewable, means less plastic and petroleum used in their manufacture.
This Wheat Straw Box Set is perfect for travel and throwing in a purse, sports bag, glove box or even your pocket. The three-section straw easily screws together and can be assembled in seconds. The straw parts along with a cleaning brush are conveniently packaged in a box with a sliding cover, which can be imprinted in full color for maximum branding opportunity. Choose from blue, green, natural and pink.
Get details on the gluten-allergen-friendly Wheat Straw Box Set by contacting us here.
And for even more reusable straws, check out this post to see our hand-selected top picks that you'll love.
Eco-Friendly Promotional Drinkware
Whether you're sipping coffee, tea, green juice or a big ole glass of ice-cold water, you likely have a favorite vessel for your drink of choice. That's why promotional drinkware, which is kept for an average of 12 months and garners 1,400 impressions throughout its lifetime, is a smart investment for advertisers.
And for those who are environmentally conscious, receiving a coffee mug, water bottle or travel tumbler, which not only has a message that resonates but is also manufactured responsibly, goes a long way to creating the emotional attachment so it is reached for time and again.
This 16-ounce Wheat Straw Mug looks great while being easy on the environment. It is composed of biodegradable wheat straw polypropylene that is sustainable and renewable and means there is less plastic and petroleum used in production.
Featuring a long, tapered design that fits most cup holders as well as a lid with a drink-through opening, this reusable mug can be used with either hot or cold drinks. It's BPA free, dishwasher safe and microwave safe. Choose from blue, green, natural and pink. Pair it with the reusable straw set above for an even more substantial gift set.
Lovin' this gluten-allergen-friendly 16-Ounce Wheat Straw Mug as much as we are? Get all the details and place your order by contacting us here.
If you're thirsty for even more eco-friendly promotional drinkware items, don't miss this post filled with options perfect for any eco-friendly campaign.
Eco-Friendly Apparel
With all the technological advances in how plastics can be recycled and cotton grown, eco-friendly apparel is a reality. No matter how intense your sustainability initiatives are, using eco-friendly branded apparel is good for your style, great for brand visibility and even better for the planet.
Is it possible to have sustainable garments that are both fashionably on-trend with modern silhouettes as well as made with luxurious fabrics? Absolutely. You might just be surprised with what's possible with eco-friendly branded apparel.
When it comes to eco-friendly tees, the Threadfast Apparel Ultimate T-Shirts truly are the pinnacle. As a part of the Repreve® Recycled Polyester collection, these 4.8-ounce unisex tees are crafted from 60% cotton and 40% recycled polyester materials (including content from recycled plastic bottles). Compared to virgin fiber, this recycled poly consumes less petroleum, emits fewer greenhouse gases, and conserves both water and energy.
Designed with a retail fit, the Ultimate T-Shirts are side-seamed and have a tear-away label. Additionally, the fabric is 15% heavier than most basic tees for increased comfort and wearability.
Twenty-Four colors are available with digitally enabled RFID tags available in select colors that are compatible with all smart-phone platforms, unlocking endless possibilities for tech savvy marketers and event planners.
If you want to support responsible cotton production that optimizes water use, improves soil health and preserves natural habitats, click here and place your order for Threadfast Apparel Ultimate T-Shirts.
For additional eco-friendly apparel ideas, don't miss this post that includes top outerwear, polos and more.
Eco-Friendly Journals
Sure, it's easy to type a digital reminder in a phone or take notes in a Word doc, but there are still times when handwriting is preferable to texting or typing—even in our digital age.
It is well-documented that journaling is an effective means to relieve stress and alleviate anxiety. And when it comes to learning, studies prove that handwriting notes far exceeds typing a transcription every time.
We love the simplicity of the traditional brown kraft recycled materials, but what if you want some color?
The Eco Color Pop Journal adds just the right hue to any promo. The smooth, recycled paper hardbound covers are combined with 80 sheets of off-white ruled paper that feature colored edges in vibrant white, turquoise, blue, red or orange and come complete with matching elastic band closure and pen loop. Decorate via blind deboss for subtle branding or choose hot-stamped foil for a continuation of bold color.
Get all the details on the Eco Color Pop Journal by contacting us here.
Want to see more promotional journals that are sustainably manufactured and look incredible when branded with your logo? Don't miss this post filled with awesome options.
Eco-Friendly Promotional Pens
If you like the idea of using eco-friendly promotional journals like the one above in marketing campaigns, why not include coordinating eco-friendly promotional pens to complete the gift?
There's a reason why promotional writing instruments are so popular: They are universal, useful and effective. With 3,000 impressions garnered throughout their lifetime and affordable price point, it's easy to see why.
So if you have customers that take notes during zoom meetings, make to-do lists or write in gratitude journals (that should be just about everyone!), make sure the pen they reach for has your logo on it.
The Wheat Straw Nash pen collection offers two great options. The traditional ballpoint, which comes in black, blue, green, red and white, features a black ink cartridge with click-action mechanism. The barrel is made from 45% wheat straw and has chrome accents. For more details on this pen, click here.
The coordinating ballpoint stylus pen, which comes in blue, red and white, also has a black ink cartridge but has a twist-action mechanism. This barrel is constructed with 40% wheat straw and has black accents that match the soft rubberized touch stylus. For more details on this stylus pen, click here.
Through a partnership with 1% For The Planet, one percent of sales from the Nash Wheat Straw pens will be donated to nonprofits dedicated to protecting the planet.
Want to put the power of the pen to work for you while choosing a more sustainable option? Check out this post to see even more eco-friendly promotional pens that are all the “write” stuff.
Eco-Friendly Bamboo Promotional Products
While many eco-friendly products are made from recycled materials, there is another sustainable option: Bamboo. It's highly renewable (grows several feet in 24 hours), requires no pesticides and needs 30% less water to grow. It's also 100% biodegradable, solid, durable and has a beautiful finish that can be easily decorated.
While bamboo cutting boards may be the most obvious promotional product in this category (they are awesome, of course), the number of products that are made from bamboo or have bamboo components might just surprise you.
Take the Wood PopGrip from PopSockets. One of the hottest retail tech brands, PopSockets stick flat to the back of a phone, tablet or case with a rinseable, repositionable gel. Once extended, the PopGrip becomes a media stand for the device, a photo or texting grip, or a stand for video chatting when lowered. The back of a phone is prime real estate for any promotion, and the unique wood finish lends perfectly to a classic laser engraving.
If you want a tech product that will literally be in your customers' hands multiple times a day, get the details on the Wood PopGrip by contacting us here.
Intrigued with what bamboo can offer? Then you'll definitely want to see the collection of favorites, including more tech items, here.
Eco-Friendly Promotional Bags
When building a promotional marketing campaign, how are you going to distribute the swag? Giving eco-friendly merch in single-use sacks is a no-no, as that sends mixed signals and undermines a sustainability initiative. So, look at reusable bags made from sustainable materials instead. Since promotional bags are kept an average of 11 months and generate 3,300 impressions throughout their lifetime, they're a smart investment.
Whether you want a simple tote or a retail-inspired computer backpack, there are plenty of eco-friendly options.
Drawstring bags are super handy for carrying just about anything, and the Reclaim Recycled Drawstring Bag is not only functional but also incredibly stylish. The retail-inspired fabric is made from RPET material, the most commonly recycled plastic, and the bag features a cinch drawstring closure and a zippered front pocket for additional organization.
Through a partnership with 1% For The Planet, one percent of sales of this bag will be donated to nonprofits dedicated to protecting the planet. Get all the details by contacting us here.
For even more sophisticated eco-friendly promotional bags that are made from sustainable materials, check out the options here.
Incorporating Eco-Friendly Promotional Products Into Marketing Campaigns
While eco-friendly promotional products are a natural fit for healthcare, fitness and wellness brands, companies and organizations of all kinds can use greener options to support their sustainability initiatives.
What's great about eco-friendly promotional products is that you can use them in so many applications:
- Virtual and in-person event swag bags
- New employee onboarding programs
- Company stores
- Sales incentive programs
- Environmental campaigns
- Charitable organization donation thank-you gifts
- Corporate sales meetings
- Customer acquisition and/or appreciation programs
If you're ready for more sustainable promotional products to support your brand, we're ready to get to work building the ideal campaign. Our concierge service can work with you to choose the perfect eco-friendly promotional products that align with your marketing objectives, fit within your budget and will amaze recipients.
Contact us at hello@corporatespecialtes.com or book an appointment at https://meetings.hubspot.com/corpspec/chat-about-swag for a quick call to get started.