For decades, promotional swag has been a core feature of many corporate events. And if participating companies aren’t thoughtful about the swag they give out, those items end up gathering dust in a closet or rotting in a landfill. Neither option is good. It’s bad for the company and terrible for the environment. Gifts for employees should be used and not negatively impact the planet. The solution to both problems? Sustainable giveaways. By choosing promotional products with sustainability and utility in mind, you end up with products that are produced ethically and that people genuinely like and will use. Why not give one of these ecofriendly swag ideas a try at your next corporate event?
Ecofriendly Swag Ideas for Corporate Events
Good sustainable custom swag needs:
- Space for your logo
- To be made from recycled or renewable resources
- Produced ethically, with concern for laborers
- Either be biodegradable or otherwise help you to reduce waste by providing an alternative a disposable option
- To be practical, a.k.a. to be swag people actually like and will use, so they’re not tempted to leave it a closet gathering dust
The following sustainable gift ideas all attempt to meet the above criteria to varying degrees. Making the effort to go in this direction will positively impact the world—and your employees!
1. Collapsible Cup
Coffee mugs have a long and proud tradition as promotional swag items. Put a fun new twist on this old standard by gifting collapsible cups that work perfectly as a replacement for single-use disposable cups. These cups collapse into a small, easily portable disc when not in use, and some versions, like this one from Stojo, come with their own reusable straw. Let your employees lead the way in reducing waste.
2. Water Bottle
Help your employees reduce their plastic bottle consumption. There are lots of great options for water bottles made from renewable resources. One possibility is a bamboo bottle by Welly, which has a removable infuser and uses triple-walled vacuum insulation to keep drinks at the right temperature for 14 to 24 hours. If insulated tumblers are more your style, Welly makes a bamboo tumbler as well. Another stylish option is this glass bottle by W & P, made from durable yet lightweight glass with a silicone sleeve. As far as branded swag goes, water bottles tend to stay close to an active person, where they will see your brand repeatedly several times a day.
3. Bamboo Bento Box
Bamboo is fast-growing and easy to cultivate, making it an ideal sustainable material. It’s perfect for a wide range of uses, and is especially popular for bento boxes. This box from Ethical Swag has a lid that doubles as a cutting board and its own reusable utensil set. This fantastic lunch box has plenty of room for your logo or message and would be an ideal fit for a sustainable swag pack.
4. Bamboo Cutting Board
Equally at home in the office kitchen and in home kitchens, bamboo cutting boards provide lots of room for a company logo or promotional message. Lightweight and sturdy, they have plenty of longevity too. Being made from easily renewable materials means they’re a biodegradable, environmentally friendly option too.
5. Sustainable Coffee
Good coffee is a great addition to a corporate gift basket or goodie bag, and there are plenty of options for delicious coffee that’s produced ethically and sustainably. Check out Ethical Swag’s Nossa Familia brand, for starters. This Portland-based company sources ethically-produced coffee from family farms and smallholders in Brazil to produce a delicious dark roast with flavors of nutty cocoa and caramel.
6. A Gift that Grows
Plant kits are a recent but popular addition to the list of ecofriendly promotional options. This kit from Crestline includes a pot made from 100% organic, sustainable, and biodegradable sprucewood, along with soil and seeds. There are numerous variations on this theme, including greeting cards made from recycled paper embedded with wildflower seeds—just plant and watch them grow.
7. Totes, But Better
Tote bags are a very common promotional item, especially at trade shows, where it seems as though every other exhibitor is giving them away. They’re not necessarily a bad gift—but if you want to give these items as corporate gifts, they should be something special. The Møre Bag from Day Owl handily fits the bill. It’s not just one more shopping bag like all the others. It’s made from recycled plastic water bottles using a zero-waste pattern, folds neatly into a flat square, and has the carrying capacity of up to 3 plastic grocery bags. Now everywhere your employees take their grocery tote bag, others will see your company logo and message.
8. Wool Laundry Balls
If you’re looking for sustainable swag that’s a little unusual, these wool laundry balls from Everything Swag are a great environmentally friendly option. These wool balls are used in the dryer, where they allow for faster, more even drying—saving energy and money too. Plus, they last over 1,000 wash cycles, so you know your message will last. Pair with a laundry bag from Ethical Swag to double your impact!
9. Recycled Material Blanket
A good blanket gets used for years, if not decades. The Slowtide recycled blanket from Swag.com is a perfect example. Made from 100% recycled materials, these cozy blankets also provide a huge space for your custom branding.
10. Hip Pack
The jury may be out on whether they’re stylish, but there’s no denying that hip packs (AKA fanny packs) are convenient. These hip packs from Ethical Swag use repurposed fabrics diverted from landfills, and have a handy 3-liter capacity. Each pack is made using a random selection of bright colors, so no two are alike.
11. Notebooks
Notebooks are useful at a wide range of corporate events, and while some people prefer digital notetaking, for others it’s pen-and-paper all the way. Check out the incredible range at Ethical Swag, including notebooks made from recycled materials, seeded paper, and more.
12. Ecofriendly Branded Apparel
Clothing is a perennially popular company swag option, and now it can be an ecofriendly promotional product as well. Ethical Swag has you covered here too. Choose from organic cotton mens and womens hoodies, T-shirts, and even sweatpants and socks. All their apparel is made using sustainable manufacturing practices.Â
Sustainable Digital Swag Ideas for Virtual Corporate Events
One great advantage of virtual events is that they’re inherently more sustainable than live events. In large part, this is because there’s no need for air travel or shipping—and air travel in particular has a big carbon footprint and negative impact on the planet. And, because so much of what you give out has only a digital footprint, virtual events are excellent for reducing waste as well. If sustainability is a core value for your virtual event, there are some amazing virtual swag options available. Add one or more of these sustainable promotional giveaways to your virtual swag bags.
Some options for virtual corporate event swag include:
13. Online Classes
The online education industry is huge, and there are online classes and lessons available for a wide range of interests. From private lessons in singing, music, or languages, to group sessions in photography, cooking, and more, there’s a wealth of options to choose from. Check out sites like Masterclass and Udemy for classes, and TakeLessons for private virtual lessons.
14. Virtual Wellness
For a wellness-related event, digital options can include things like exercise or dance classes, or meditation. Check out DRYFTLive for exercise classes, or for a gentler option, meditation classes with Headspace.
15. E-Books and Audiobooks
A gift copy of a relevant ebook or audiobook can be a great virtual swag option for a conference, education session, or corporate training day. Amazon lets you cover all your bases with both Audible and Kindle subscription services.
Sustainable Swag Makes Giving Corporate Gifts a Win-Win
The trend towards ethical, sustainable giveaways makes it easy to make good choices when it comes to giving ecofriendly corporate gifts. Making a point of offering sustainable giveaways is a great way to showcase your company values while giving gifts that people like and will use. It’s a win for you, for the recipient, and for the environment too.
