Eco-Friendly Promotional Products: Options for Sustainable Promotions

Businesses and organizations interested in more environmentally conscious promotions have a growing selection of products to consider. Eco-friendly promotional products can include reusable merchandise, products containing recycled materials and items made with alternative materials.

Choosing these products requires more than simply looking for the word "eco." Materials, usefulness, durability and the actual product specifications should all be considered when deciding whether an item is appropriate for a promotion.

What Makes a Promotional Product Eco-Friendly?

There is no single feature that defines every environmentally conscious promotional product. Depending on the item, environmental characteristics may include recycled content, reusable construction, renewable or alternative materials, reduced packaging or other product-specific features.

Because these characteristics vary considerably, businesses should review the individual product description rather than assuming that every item marketed as environmentally friendly has the same qualities.

Products Made With Recycled Materials

Recycled materials are now used in many types of promotional merchandise. Depending on current product availability, choices can include notebooks, writing instruments, bags, drinkware, apparel and other everyday items incorporating recycled content.

When recycled content is important to your organization, check the specifications for the individual product to understand what material is being used and how the manufacturer describes it.

Reusable Promotional Products

Reusable merchandise provides another approach to environmentally conscious promotions. Water bottles, tumblers, travel mugs, tote bags and other products designed for repeated use may provide practical alternatives to disposable items.

Usefulness matters. A reusable product is most practical when it suits the recipient and is something the person is likely to continue using.

Alternative Materials

Promotional merchandise is available in an expanding variety of materials. Depending on the product, options may incorporate materials such as bamboo, cork, wheat straw, recycled paper or other alternatives to conventional materials.

The specific composition and environmental characteristics differ by item, so product descriptions should be reviewed before making environmental claims about merchandise used in a campaign.

Eco-Friendly Bags and Apparel

Bags and apparel provide many opportunities to consider recycled or alternative materials. Tote bags, backpacks, shirts and other products may be available with recycled content, organic materials or other environmental features.

Consider how the product will be used as well as its material. An item that fits the recipient's needs is more likely to remain useful after the promotion or event.

Drinkware for Repeated Use

Reusable drinkware is another option for businesses planning environmentally conscious promotions. Water bottles, tumblers, mugs and other beverage containers can be selected for offices, schools, sporting events, employee programs, trade shows and many other occasions.

Materials and features vary by product. Review the individual specifications when recycled content, material composition or another particular environmental feature is important to your program.

Plantable and Nature-Inspired Promotions

Some promotional programs may be suited to plantable or gardening-related merchandise. Depending on current availability, these can include seed paper, seed packets, growing kits and other products connected with gardening or outdoor themes.

These types of products may be particularly appropriate for Earth Day programs, community events, environmental organizations, schools and other promotions with a related theme.

Avoid Making Claims the Product Cannot Support

Environmental terminology should be used carefully. A product containing some recycled material is not necessarily completely recycled, biodegradable or compostable. Likewise, a reusable product does not automatically qualify for every environmental description.

When communicating an environmental feature to customers, employees or event attendees, use the information supplied for the specific product rather than making broader claims that cannot be verified.

Match the Product to Your Audience

As with any promotional merchandise, the product should make sense for the people receiving it. Consider the audience, event, quantity, budget and expected use before choosing an item.

A reusable bottle might be appropriate for an outdoor event, while recycled notebooks or writing instruments may be better suited to meetings, schools or conferences. A tote bag may work well for a trade show or community program.

Quality and Usefulness Still Matter

Environmental features are only part of the decision. The product should also meet the practical needs of the promotion. Consider construction, appearance, imprint area and whether recipients are likely to find the item useful.

Selecting merchandise that combines an appropriate environmental feature with practical everyday use can help create a promotion that fits both the organization and its audience.

Eco-Friendly Promotional Products From Garrett Specialties

Garrett Specialties offers a variety of promotional merchandise with recycled, reusable and alternative-material options. Available products and environmental characteristics vary, so customers should review individual product specifications when selecting merchandise for a particular program.

Garrett Specialties has been helping businesses and organizations select promotional products for more than 30 years. If you need assistance finding merchandise for an environmentally focused promotion, call us at 1-800-320-1510.