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 merch 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 company swag is 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 Branded 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.
While the outrage over plastic straws has subsided, some cities and states have restrictions on single-use plastics that have required many food and beverage corporations, fast-food chains and local restaurants to seek alternatives. And environmentally conscious consumers continue to look for ways to minimize plastic waste and help protect oceans, lakes and rivers.
Say hello to branded 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.
Logoed 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 promotional straws made from a combination of polypropylene plus 20-30% reclaimed wheat stock, which is sustainable and renewable, means less plastic and petroleum are 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 here.
For even more ideas, shop all branded reusable straws here, and check out this post to see our hand-selected top picks that you’ll love.
Related: Sip Sustainably With These Must-Have Branded Reusable Straws
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 promotional coffee mug, logoed water bottle or branded 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, which 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 branded reusable straw set above for an even more substantial gift set.
Lovin' this gluten-allergen-friendly branded Wheat Straw Mug as much as we are? Get all the details and place your order here.
Thirsty for more? Then shop these best-selling sustainable promotional drinkware items, and don’t miss this post filled with options perfect for any eco-friendly campaign.
Related: Pour Some Sustainability Into Your Brand With These Eco-Friendly Promotional Drinkware Favorites
Eco-Friendly Branded Apparel
With all the technological advances in how plastics can be recycled and cotton grown, eco-friendly corporate 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 by what's possible with eco-friendly branded apparel.
When it comes to eco-friendly promotional 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, and select colors are digitally enabled with RFID tags that are compatible with all smartphone 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.
Want more eco-friendly corporate apparel ideas? Shop all sustainable branded apparel, and check out this post that includes a curated selection of eco-friendly branded outerwear, sustainable logoed polos and more.
Related: Look Good. Feel Good. Do Good—With This Eco-Friendly Branded Apparel Lineup
Eco-Friendly Branded Journals
Sure, it's easy to type a digital reminder in a phone or take notes in a Google 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 writing notes by hand 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 in your eco-friendly branded journals?
The Two-Tone Eco-Friendly Notebook adds just the right hue to any promo. The brown kraft cover visually designates recycled materials while the vibrant black, blue, green or red accents provide a striking contrast.
But this branded eco-journal does more than look good. It checks all the boxes: recycled cover and pages, 60 ruled sheets for neat notes and extras such as sticky notes, sticky flags, and a matching click pen—all wrapped up with a sleek magnetic closure.
Check out the hard-working Two-Tone Eco-Friendly Notebook and place your order here.
Want to see more promotional journals that are sustainably manufactured and look incredible when branded with your logo? Shop these branded kraft journals, these logoed journals made from recycled materials and these sustainably made branded notebooks. And don’t miss this post filled with a specially curated mix of branded eco-friendly journals.
Related: Put Pen To (Recycled) Paper With These Eco-Friendly Branded Journals
Eco-Friendly Promotional Pens
If you like the idea of using eco-friendly promotional journals in marketing campaigns, why not include coordinating eco-friendly logoed 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 points, 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 Nash Wheat Straw ballpoint 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 sustainable branded 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 eco-friendly 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? Shop all the sustainable writing instruments as well as logoed pens made from recycled materials. Plus, check out this post to see even more eco-friendly promotional pens that are all the “write” stuff.
Related: Write the Future With These Eco-Friendly Promotional Pens
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.
Looking for a modern desk accessory that speaks to your brand’s commitment to sustainability? The Eco-Friendly Bamboo Cell Phone Stand is a natural fit—literally.
Made from renewable bamboo and designed with simplicity in mind, the stand is constructed with a two-piece design that slides together easily—no tools, no hassle. And it even features a cutout for seamless charging while the device rests.
Whether recipients are on Zoom calls, watching videos or just keeping an eye on notifications, the Eco-Friendly Bamboo Cell Phone Stand provides a sturdy base for devices—and logos. See how great your brand looks on it here.
Intrigued by what bamboo can offer? Shop branded bamboo tech items, logoed bamboo household items, bamboo promotional office products, branded bamboo journals and logoed bamboo writing instruments. And bookmark this post to see our curated list of top bamboo promotional products that will make your brand shine.
Related: Go Green And Get Noticed With Bamboo Branded Merch
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 branded tote or a retail-inspired computer backpack, there are plenty of options when it comes to sustainable branded bags.
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 here.
For even more eco-friendly promotional bags, shop these sustainable branded bags or these logoed bags made from recycled materials. And don’t miss this post for our top picks that are chef’s kiss!
Related: Tote-ally Sustainable: Eco-Friendly Logoed Bags That Consciously Carry Your Brand
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 merch is that, with the right strategy, you can use the items 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 merch that aligns with your marketing objectives, fits within your budget and amazes recipients.
Contact us at [email protected] or book an appointment here to chat about swag.