With California’s recent ban on plastic bags and other environmental initiatives on the horizon, eco-friendly swag is on the rise. Brands are now using everything from reusable tote bags and recycled goods to sustainable materials and plantable papers to get their message out. If you’re interested in making a positive brand impression, while reducing your impact on the earth, here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Make
a Name for Yourself in Bamboo
Traditional hardwood has nothing on this incredibly resilient,
eco-friendly material. Its good looks make it an ideal choice for business card holders and other desk accessories, as well as customized awards and coasters.
2. Never
Settle for Less Than Earth-Friendly Seconds
Paper, plastic, glass and tires can all live second lives as notebooks, polo shirts and glassware. However, buying recycled promotional products
doesn’t just reduce the need for new, it also continues the cycle, as many of
them can be recycled again and again.
3. Put a
Cork on It
Did you know that one cork tree can constantly produce cork for around
200 years? It’s also recyclable and biodegradable — not to mention waterproof,
durable and even fire-resistant. It is becoming the eco-friendly material of
choice for mouse pads, memo boards, mats and coasters.
Seed paper is an ideal material for marketers who want their brand awareness to grow and grow — literally. Have a few coasters or bookmarks leftover from your last event? Plant them in soil and soon you’ll be tending a small garden of wildflowers. Talk about a lasting brand impression!
5.
Continue the Cycle
Once you go green, it’s hard to go back. But with so many eco-friendly
swag options to choose from, why would you ever want to? Even if you buy new, you can strategically
order something that can easily be recycled or reused. Encourage your customers
and tradeshow attendees to pay it forward. The earth will thank you.
