Sustainable Promotional Products & Swag - More Than Just a Trend

Sustainable is a buzzword that's been on everyone's radar recently. What does it mean, though? According to the United Nations, “sustainable” addresses issues that future generations will face when it comes to meeting their needs of supply, meaning the focus is aimed at the future. That's a bit different than eco-friendly, which refers more particularly to processes that do not harm the planet.

In an effort to keep pace with the green movement, manufacturers of promotional products have been finding ways to address sustainability in their business practices. There are several ways manufacturers have made their products more sustainable while creating eco-friendly promotional products as well.

• The power of renewable materials
• When it comes to sustainable promotional products, renewable materials like eco-friendly bamboo and recycled cotton ensure that the creation of products will not deplete resources that can’t be easily replaced.
• Bamboo – Bamboo Media Stand
• Cork – Classic Round Cork Coaster
• Cotton – Recycled Cotton Market Bag
• Jute – The Acadian Jute Tote

• Donations to causes that sustain human life
• Donations go a long way when it comes to sustainability. That's why companies have taken the initiative by donating part of their sales to causes like clean water and green initiatives.
• Clean water
• Corkcicle® Premium Tumblers, Mugs & Water Bottles
• Corkcicle partners with charities to bring clean water to people in need by offering donations with every purchase.
• Welly® Copper Insulated Bottles & Tumblers
• Welly® donates 1% of sales from its products to help bring wells and other sustainable water solutions to communities across the world.
• Green initiatives
• EcoSmart® Promotional Products
• Through a partnership with 1% For The Planet, one percent of sales of EcoSmart products will be donated to nonprofits dedicated to protecting the planet.
• Modern Sprout® Tree Kits
• For every kit purchased, a percentage of proceeds go to American Forests and the Pollinator Partnership for reforestation and ecosystem protection.
• Building community
• Drinkware maker Miir® donates a portion of their sales to trackable initiatives in clean water, a healthy environment and strong communities through the Product to Project™ program. Learn more about MiiR®.
• One of their strong community projects involved a volunteer program for female inmates to receive bicycle mechanic training to prepare them to support their families upon release. The bicycles were later donated to those in need in their communities.
• When you purchase GiveBack One for One items, an equal amount of product will be donated to NAEIR, which connects philanthropic donor companies with the ill, the needy, and children helped by not-for-profit organizations in the United States.
• World health
• Soapbox®
• Guided by the mission of soap=hope, Soapbox® donates soap to someone in need everytime one of their products are purchased.
• American Red Cross
• Every sale of an American Red Cross product gives money back to the organization, which means they can keep helping those who need it most.

• Manufacturing that doesn’t poison the environment
• As manufacturers aim to improve their impact on the environment, they are always searching for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. That doesn't mean no impact, but it does represent a dedication to do better.
• Sanmar
• Along with renewable energy initiatives, apparel company Sanmar has been working on reducing emissions in production and distribution. Sanmar's dedication to creating a sustainable environment hasn't slowed them down from creating customizable clothing items featuring many top brands.
• Hit Promotional Products
• Hit is a supplier of customizable promotional items and corporate gifts that has been improving its sustainability practices, including reducing volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants, as well as filtering its wastewater before it goes to local water treatment facilities.
• View our collection of Hit promotional products to find gift ideas that created with the sustainability efforts listed in the graphic below:

• Manufacturing that recycles
• Manufacturers are finding unique ways to use recyclables to create sustainable branded gifts like the 13” Parkland Vintage Computer Backpack that's constructed from 100 percent recycled water bottles.

• Manufacturing that uses renewable energy
• The 5” x 8” Luxe Feel Journal is FSC™ certified (Forest Stewardship Council), which means it is made from fiber harvested from responsibly managed forests and manufactured with renewable energy.
• S&S Activewear has launched a campaign to encourage employees, vendors and communities to leave a positive mark on the future with their Make an Imprint program. The program includes environmental initiatives like outfitting warehouses with solar panels that help the company generate renewable power.
• Gildan prides itself on increasing its level of renewable energy, with 44 percent of the company's energy already coming from renewable sources. On top of that, when it comes to producing sustainable promotional products, Gildan is one of the most dedicated companies with programs aimed at manufacturing sustainable and ethical apparel. You can find their customizable apparel here.

• The product won’t end up in a landfill.
• Recyclable items like the Grand Recyclable Tote, biodegradable items like these 9” x 12” Biodegradable Plastic Bags or compostable items such as the Compostable Seed Stake are helping change the way businesses manufacture sustainable promotional products.
Grand Recyclable Tote
9” x 12” Biodegradable Plastic Bags
Compostable Seed Stake

• Reusability
• Recipients want to re-use it for years to come because it is useful, attractive, and high quality.
Wheat Straw Fiber Utensils in Case
Igloo® Avalanche Lunch Cooler
22 oz Juna Copper Insulated Bottle
Fiesta Grocery Tote

• It supports sustainability efforts in recipients’ homes.
• Renewable energy items like the Off the Grid Solar Power Bank or self-gardening gifts like the Plant Starter Kit promote some degree of self-sufficiency, meaning they are excellent when it comes to sustainability.
• Solar powered items – Off the Grid Solar Power Bank
• Efficient energy items for the home – Bright Idea CFL-Shaped Nightlight
• Gardening and seed items to promote home food production – Plant Starter Kit

• Corporate gifts are an excellent way to reward employees, and there's no better way to say thanks than with a gift — like the Rhein Bamboo Cutting Board — which is useful and made from a renewable resource.

Apple Peel Journal

Amos Eco Short Sleeve Polo

Rhein Bamboo Cutting Board

Tagus Cork Award

• Sustainable swag will have your team ready for any upcoming conference, trade show or meeting. They'll be sure to keep those dates in mind with Recycled Post-it® Pads 50 Sheets.

Moptoppers® Wheat Straw Screen Cleaner Stylus Pen

20 oz EcoPETE Recycled BottleFlip Straw Lid

Recycled Post-it® Pads 50 Sheets

Split Recycled 5 oz Cotton Twill Convention Tote

• Giveaways help businesses promote their brand while reaching new customers. With sustainable promotional items like an 18 oz Harvest Himalayan Tumbler, your brand will be on the minds of customers for years to come.

Stone Paper Jotter

Flower Seed Matchbook

18 oz Harvest Himalayan Tumbler

Bamboo Fiber Lunch Box with Utensil Pocket

Crestline is fully committed to corporate environmental responsibility, which is why we not only promote eco-friendly and sustainable promotional products but also aim to reduce our organizations carbon footprint. As a member of the Fair Labor Association, we are also committed to improving the lives of our workers through proper training and independent assessments that generate greater accountability and transparency.

You may also be interested in:

• Corporate Gifts That Give Back – 12 Caring Cause Marketing Ideas
• It’s Easy to be Green: FAQ About Eco-Friendly Promo Products
• What Is Wheat Straw Plastic?
• Types of Plastic and Their Recycling Codes