In today's world, sustainability has become a crucial factor in every aspect of our lives. From reducing carbon footprints to conserving natural resources, people are increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment. This shift towards eco-friendly practices has extended to the world of promotional gifts as well.
Businesses are constantly looking for sustainable alternatives in materials used to produce their promotional items and merchandise — ensuring that their marketing efforts align with their environmental values. And another simple reason for having their promotional efforts geared towards (or, consist of) an eco-friendly approach is because customers today look for brands that are environmentally and socially responsible with their products and promotional offerings. With over 80% of consumers looking to support businesses that make the environment a cornerstone of their company values, sustainability is clearly more than just a trend. That said, businesses around the world are responding to a global imperative and consumer demand by going green.
In this article, we will explore:-
The different types of popular eco-friendly materials for green promotional gifts
Examples of eco-friendly ‘green’ promotional gift ideas to explore with DTC World
Key advantages to go green with the material choice
Apart from making a strong first impression on your recipients, eco-friendly gifts showcase your brand’s green initiatives and build brand loyalty. They do more than just protecting our planet, as they are also practical and have high usability.
From various eco-friendly materials that go to a promotional gift, to corporate swag or an event giveaway, we are zooming into the following popular material options that transform waste into endless eco-possibilities — making a lasting impression among your recipients.
rPET, or recycled polyethylene terephthalate, is a type of plastic that is derived from recycled plastic bottles. By repurposing plastic waste, rPET reduces the demand for virgin plastic production and helps to alleviate the burden on our landfills. This material is not only environmentally friendly but also highly durable, making it suitable for a wide range of promotional products. For a start, you can expect items like tote bags, water bottles, and even apparel. At DTC World, we take creativity up a notch — by exploring unique designs, refreshing concepts to inject into the various promotional items, exclusive merchandise or corporate gifts your business can choose from.
By opting for rPET products, businesses can showcase their commitment to sustainability while also offering their customers with ‘not-your- regular’ promotional gifts that are practical, long-lasting, and more importantly, not hurting our planet.
Green gifting — rPET promotional product ideas:
Cork is a versatile and sustainable material that is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. The removal of cork bark does not harm the trees, allowing them to regenerate and continue absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Cork is known for its natural properties: lightweight, water-resistant, and hypoallergenic. These qualities make it an ideal material for promotional items like cork coasters, keychains, and notebooks.
The colour and texture of cork promotional gifts speak for itself. Not only do they look unique, the impression your recipients get is no less than anything exclusive, eco-friendly, and durable. By incorporating cork-based gift ideas into your promotional campaigns, gifting efforts at trade events, social or business functions, you can impactfully demonstrate (and impress) your commitment to sustainability values.
Green gifting — cork promotional product ideas:
Coffee grounds or coffee waste, which are typically discarded after brewing, can be repurposed to create sustainable materials. By mixing coffee grounds with biopolymers, it is possible to create a durable and eco-friendly material that can be used in the production of promotional items. From coffee mugs to executive desk organisers, coffee ground-based products are not only sustainable but also have a distinctive appearance and aroma. By incorporating coffee ground materials into their promotional gifts, businesses can appeal to coffee enthusiasts or general consumers alike — further impressing them with these coffee series of unique gifts.
For more cuppa ideas and inspirations to inject into your next promotional gifting effort or marketing campaign, here’s a blog article to get those creative juices flowing.
Green gifting — coffee grounds promotional product ideas:
Wheat straw is an agricultural byproduct that is often discarded after the wheat harvest. However, this seemingly waste material can be transformed into a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic. Wheat straw products are biodegradable, compostable, and renewable, making them an excellent choice for eco-conscious businesses.
From pens to phone cases, or unique tech gifts like wireless charger or foldable wireless headphones, or household accessories like chopping board, or dinnerware, wheat straw can be used to create a variety of promotional items that are not only functional but also environmentally friendly.
Green gifting wheat straw promotional product ideas:
Bamboo is a fast-growing and highly renewable resource that can be used to create a wide range of eco-friendly products. Not only are they highly-durable, bamboo-based promotional items are sustainable and also stylish. Bamboo is known for its strength and durability, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking for long-lasting promotional gifts. By using bamboo products, businesses can contribute to the preservation of natural resources and promote a greener lifestyle.
(Speaking of durability and long-lasting, bamboo promo gifts will surely stick around with your customers for a long, long time.)
Green gifting bamboo promotional product ideas:
Environmental Impact: By using sustainable materials for promotional gifts, businesses can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, slowing down the effects of climate change. The production of eco-friendly materials consumes fewer resources, emits less greenhouse gases, and therefore, generates less waste compared to traditional materials. By opting for eco-friendly promotional items, businesses can also demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and contribute to a greener future.
Brand Image: Consumers are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, and are more likely to support businesses that align with their values. By offering sustainable promotional items, businesses can attract environmentally conscious customers and differentiate themselves from their competitors. At the end of the day, this will enhance your brand recall and brand value.
Longevity: Eco-friendly materials are often more durable and long-lasting compared to traditional materials. This means that promotional items made from sustainable materials are more likely to be used and kept by recipients for a longer period. This extended lifespan increases the exposure of a business's brand and message — resulting in a more effective and sustainable marketing strategy.
Versatility: Sustainable materials can be used to create a wide range of promotional items, allowing businesses to showcase their creativity and uniqueness. From stationery to clothing, eco-friendly materials offer endless possibilities for businesses to create memorable and impactful promotional gifts.
Customer Engagement: Offering eco-friendly promotional items can spark conversations and engage customers in discussions about sustainability. By providing information about the materials used and its environmental benefits, businesses can educate customers and raise awareness about the importance of sustainability. This engagement can foster a deeper connection between the business and its customers, leading to increased loyalty, support and patronage.
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Incorporating sustainable materials into promotional gifts is a powerful way for businesses to communicate their commitment to sustainability and make a positive impact on the environment.
By choosing sustainable materials (e.g. rPET, wheat straw, cork, coffee grounds, bamboo, jute, tyvek, etc.) — businesses can create promotional items that are not only functional but also environmentally-friendly. The benefits of using eco-friendly materials extend beyond environmental impact; they also enhance your brand image, brand loyalty and versatility.
We understand you are constantly looking for something distinctive, one-of-a-kind to enhance your brand visibility — and ultimately, elevate your sales volume. So why wait? Embrace eco-friendly innovation and discover sustainable materials for your promotional gifts today.
If you’d love to find out more about any one of the eco-friendly promotional gift ideas we have shared in this article, just put our team to work — and our product and gift experts would be more than happy to fill you in.
At DTC World, our focus on sustainability is an ongoing and exciting journey. Over the last year, we have strived to accelerate the pace and strengthen our efforts: our sustainability strategy, and all our actions with regard to our workforce, the planet, our communities, and through responsible business principles. We are delighted to receive the 2021 EcoVadis Platinum medal — as it recognises the continuous effort of our entire organisation in realising our sustainability strategy.
This award demonstrates our unceasing commitment to sustaining our environment, while keeping our social responsibility close to heart. We are proud to be leading the industry in these areas. Learn more about DTC World’s sustainability initiatives in the 2021 Sustainability Report or on our website.
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