We have all heard and seen that the environment and climate change situation is one of the most insurmountable challenges of our time. There is no one solution. It will take all citizens of the planet and captains of industry to keep these conditions top of mind and part of our mission for the present and future.
At the same time, businesses need to innovate and promote to survive. The promotional products industry, with annual sales of about $25 billion, has shifted its focus and resources to be better stewards of the planet. Businesses and non-profit organizations of all sizes want to promote their businesses with items that are truly functional and are made of materials that are reclaimed, recycled, or considered sustainable. As responsible marketers, we want to assure our business-to-business clients that we are using resources that are not only considerate to the environment but practice fair labor practices. This year, more vendors and distributors have launched cause-related marketing programs to give back to the community. A portion of their sales revenue is earmarked for helping charities, non-profit organizations, schools, and camps.
Beyond these 3 ideas, there are eco-friendly products in nearly every category, from cups and drinkware to pens, totes, and bags. Give us your bright idea and we will help you grow your business and be considerate to the planet too! Email to Sales@1st-Straw.com Call or text 609-472-1667!
When you consider your next promotional campaign, go with the trend
and choose to promote your brand with products that are
functional, sustainable, and eco-friendly!
Apparel
Most of the major industry apparel vendors are using fabrics and materials that include at least 50% preferred materials, such as recycled content or organic cotton. One of our favorite apparel vendors has the objective to choose styles with a lower ecological footprint. Carbonfree® styles. Re-Tee®, and Re-Fleece™ are trademarked products made from recycled materials. Brands have adopted the mission to feel good and look good with styles that put people and the planet first.
Sustainable – Recycled – Organic
The trend is to use materials that are recovered and recycled thereby avoiding the landfill. Two buzzwords are eco-friendly and eco-conscious. Bamboo, Hemp, and Wheat are three popular materials to make functional items such as cups, pens, desk and tech items.
One of the industry’s successful vendors called Refresh Glass has a mission to rescue 10 million bottles …
wine bottles!
“The statistics about how much we throw away and bury are staggering. An average person throws away over 1,600 pounds of trash per year. Americans as a whole generate enough waste each year to circle the earth 24 times. 75% of all that trash is easily recyclable, but only 30% of it actually gets recycled. One rescued wine bottle saves enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for four hours, power a computer for 30 minutes, or a television for 20 minutes.”
Product Innovations
Here are just a few ideas we curated from our website search engine using the keyword “sustainable”. If you need help finding the perfect eco-conscious item to promote your business or ideas for a cause-related marketing campaign, 1st Straw Marketing is here. Tap into our expertise!
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Refresh Glass takes wine bottles and makes drinking glasses with a logo laser engraved or etched on each glass. We can offer personalization on every glass with a name or initials. The glasses are useful and beautiful. From the hospitality industry to companies offering in-home services, these glasses make a bold impression. |
| Bamboo wood is a sustainable material with huge popularity. This vendor took the idea and made a keychain that can hold the phone or tablet for easy viewing. Stylish, practical, eco-friendly! This branded item would fit in well to promote car dealers and automakers of EVs (electric vehicles). Universities and colleges can welcome students to campus housing with an environmentally friendly key chain. |  |
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Use seeded paper that is made from 100% post-consumer materials. Our vendor has a full line of ideas from drink coasters to calendars. Take your promotional campaign and give your customers something that grows! All are made in the USA and are embedded with wildflower, herb, or vegetable seeds. Each monthly page of this novel desk calendar is fully plantable to ensure that you are in your client’s thoughts all year long. |