Go more green with your New Year’s Resolution!
We’ve been talking a good amount about our favorite products lately, like in our Best Holiday Gifts for Businesses and The Importance of Employee Recognition posts, but today, we want to look specifically at sustainable promotional products to help you make a bigger impact (and more lasting impression) in 2022.
According to a Global Ad Impressions study, on average 42% of consumers have a more favorable opinion of an advertiser if the promotional product they receive is environmentally friendly. Rates vary based on geographic region, gender (females at 49% and males at 40%), and age (increasing percent as ages decrease). 58% of 18-24 year olds hold that favorable opinion regarding sustainable products. Given these numbers, not only will you be making advertising decisions that you can feel good about, but you’ll also be boosting your relationship with potential clients by showing you share similar values.
Categories of Sustainable Products
There are different categories of sustainable promotional products with unique benefits. Depending on your target market, one of these categories may be more favorable than another at any given time. Oftentimes, you may be able to combine categories to make an even bigger impact. For instance, you could do a t-shirt fundraiser selling tees made from recycled fabrics or natural materials and giving back proceeds to a non-profit/cause your audience cares about.
- Recycled Materials/Fabrics. These are products that go green by reusing materials or fabrics. You can find these in a variety of products from shoes to patio furniture and just about everything in between.
- Natural Materials. This refers to selecting products made from natural materials (think bamboo, hemp, cotton, etc) that are biodegradable.
- Giveback Items. Products that support sustainable or charitable causes are a great way to double your impact. These partnerships are becoming increasingly popular.
- Reusable Products. These are products that help eliminate single-use products. Items like reusable water bottles, straws, and bags are examples of this, but beware of the materials, not all are safe/healthy and some are more sustainably made than others.
- Sustainably Made Items. This looks beyond just the item itself. It assesses the company, it’s production practices, and values/policies.
How to Pick Products
There are so many promotional products available and an ever-increasing amount of sustainable options to choose from. When picking products, it’s best to make sure you truly understand your key demographics that you’re trying to resonate with. Understanding their values and causes they care about will help guide you to the right products.
Once you’ve gotten to know your target market, it’s a good idea to consider the staying power of promotional products. Considering products that are kept by consumers longer is a way to stretch the sustainability and make sure your items don’t end up right in a landfill.
Products that consumers hold onto the longest:
- Outerwear
- Umbrellas
- T-shirts
- USB Drives
- Desk Accessories
- Polo Shirts
Products that are kept the shortest amount of time:
- Calendars
- Writing Instruments
The other thing to consider is the number of impressions you can expect from a given item and what the actual cost per impression (CPI) will be. For example, investing in a good drinkware promotional product may seem like a large expense up front, but considering the fact that 78% of consumers own and keep promotional drinkware, and the fact that a drinkware item can generate an average of 1400 impressions throughout it’s lifetime, your CPI can actually be as low as 1/2 of a cent in some situations.
Whatever direction you decide to go, you want to look into products to ensure that they really do provide the environmental, social and/or economic benefits you’re striving for, and that they are environmentally friendly from raw material to final disposal whenever possible.
Sustainable Products We Love
We’ve compiled some of our favorite sustainable items for you to consider. Contact us and we will be more than happy to talk with you and provide a variety of ideas based on your individual business needs.
Circular Cup is the world’s first reusable travel mug made from recycled coffee cups. Each Circular Cup is made from 6 single use, disposable cups that are recycled, given new life as Circular Cups and kept out of our waterways. This sustainable travel mug is 100% leakproof, providing peace of mind while you’re on the go. Designed for 10 years use, Circular Cup’s unique push lid mechanism minimizes spills and has one-hand opening. 100% recyclable. 360 degree drinking lid.
This washable tear resistant paper fanny pack features zippered main compartment and front zippered pocket. Eco friendly, lightweight and durable. Vegan friendly and 100% recyclable. Weathered leather look and feel, yet washes like fabric. Produced from Cellulose plant fiber. Reusable, great alternative to plastic fabrics. Sustainable and Stylish. Starts decomposing within 2 weeks of being placed in the ground
The Appeel Grande journal is made from apple peels that are ground and emulsified into an organic paper. This ground breaking eco friendly product is animal friendly, sustainable and all natural. Size: 7 11/16 x 9 15/16. 192 apple paper pages with green lines. Gray end pages with colored stripes. Back paper pocket.
A jumbo bamboo straw and 1 cleaning brush in a carrying pouch. The size of bamboo straw is approx. 8″L x 7/16″DIAM. This bamboo straw is made by 100% natural and organic bamboo material. So the size of straw may vary. Bamboo straws are a great alternative to plastics in an effort to reduce waste. Each straw is decorated with laser engraved logo and pouch is decorated with silkscreen logo. Optional gift pouch. Other sizes of bamboo straws also are available. Please inquire. 8″L x 7/16″DIAM
Cutter & Buck Rainier PrimaLoft® Womens Eco Insulated Full Zip Puffer Jacket
The iconic and sustainable Rainier Puffer Jacket is engineered from lightweight, recycled, down-alternative insulation for exceptional four season versatility, designed to be your favorite quilted womens full zip eco-friendly puffer jacket for golf, skiing, hiking, walking, and your other epic everyday adventures. The Rainier’s Primaloft® Silver Insulation is crafted from 70% recycled polyester, keeping you warm so you can stay outside year round and make a difference for the planet.
– 100% Nylon shell
– Primaloft® Silver Insulation made from 70% recycled polyester
– Contains an average of 5 recycled plastic bottles
– Concealed stowaway hood packs inside collar
– Wind & water resistant
– Packs into its own pocket
– Full zip with front side pockets
– CB logo at left sleeve
– Imported
– Machine wash
The options are truly endless. Have a particular product in mind or want to bounce around ideas? Reach out today, our expansive network of vendors means we can usually find any product you need. The best part? We work hard to shop around and find you the best price so you don’t have to put in all that time and effort.
