Almost 300 million tons of plastic waste is created around the world each year, according to an article by the United Nations Environment Programme. Unfortunately, only 9% of the total plastic waste ever produced has ever been successfully recycled. Additionally, the plastic collected for recycling accounts for only 14% of the total production.
But like Greta Thunberg said during her TEDx speech in Stockholm, “We already have all the facts and solutions. All we have to do is to wake up and change.” The change can be made by the effort of individuals as well as organizations. And, there’s much more to be gained by a company using eco-friendly products than simply keeping the landfills empty.
What Makes a Product Eco-Friendly?
The things that make a promotional product eco-friendly are the materials used to manufacture it, the manner in which it is produced, and how it is used.
An eco-friendly product is one that is made of materials that are recycled, can be easily recycled, or have been collected from a natural source, such as cotton or bamboo, according to experts at Inkwell USA. These natural products should also be easy to replace, without having any detrimental impact on the environment.
The products should be manufactured in a way that does minimum harm to the planet. Use of chemicals for treatment purposes or excessive use of water during production need to be avoided. The product must also encourage environmentally conscious behavior in the consumer. An example of this is the reusable water bottle. It helps people avoid single use plastic bottles, which are currently clogging up our landfills.
Advantages of Eco-Friendly Promotional Products for Businesses
Apart from being good for the planet, using eco-friendly products as promotional giveaways can offer various other benefits, such as:
Positive Impression on Customers
Reputation is important for any company, and eco-friendly products are a great way to give your brand image a boost. Today’s customers are very environmentally aware and judge companies based on their values. In fact, 85% of the millennials feel that companies should do more for the environment, according to an article by The Nielsen Company. This has even led to people labeling millennials as the green generation. In addition, 42% of American consumers say that they would feel more positively about a company if their promo product was good for the environment, according to a survey by The Advertising Specialty Institute.
More Economical
Eco-friendly promotional products are not just great for the planet, they are also great for your business’ budget. Since they are manufactured using recycled materials, they tend to be less expensive, while lasting much longer by being able to better withstand wear and tear.
Fewer Pollutants
Some Options for Eco-Friendly Promotional Products
The key to a good promotional product is its relevance for the recipient. The same holds true for eco-friendly products too. So, some options you could consider are the following:
Reusable Water Bottles
Each year, Americans throw away 35 billion plastic bottles, according to an article on Recycling Coalation of Utah. These plastic bottles can make a chain long enough to circle the Earth 185 times! Reusable stainless-steel water bottles can be the perfect solution for this problem. They are also an everyday use item and have a high perceived value.
Reusable Straws
These straws are generally made using metals and eliminate the need for plastic. They can be extended as well as collapsed, according to the user’s convenience. They can be given on their own or along with other drinkware.
Gift Bags
Gift bags made using cotton or jute are another great option. You can also put other branded items inside them, creating a swag pack. Such bags will come in handy for all types of customers, helping them avoid plastic bags.
Apart from these you can also consider items such as branded t-shirts, pocket journals, and pens for eco-friendly swag.
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