Sustainable merchandise

What Does It Mean for a Gift to Be Eco-Friendly?

For a promotional item to be considered eco-friendly, various factors must be taken into account.

First, its structure or part of it should be biodegradable. Second, consideration must be given to the packaging or the container that holds the product; those without packaging or with minimal packaging are preferable as they generate considerably less waste. If packaging is present, materials such as paper, glass, or those that are recycled or can be recycled repeatedly should be prioritised.

Production is another aspect to consider; items that use less energy, emit fewer greenhouse gases and generate less waste are more sustainable. Various organisations certify that this process is environmentally friendly and ethically managed, issuing certificates such as OEKO-TEX, GRS, GOTS, or Fairtrade, among others.

Evidently, if the sustainable merchandise is produced domestically, it results in a lower environmental impact, supporting the local economy and small producers.

Lastly, the product’s lifespan is another factor to consider. Durable items will require replacement much later, reducing the need for new manufacturing.

Consider the Carbon Footprint When Buying Eco-Friendly Promotional Products

The carbon footprint measures the emissions of harmful gases for the environment, making it fundamental to understand its impact and minimise it.

With each update to our catalogue, we include more eco-friendly promotional items to provide more options for sustainable advertising.

Additionally, we are committed to reducing the impact of manufacturing, which is why we offer a wide range of products made from recycled materials, with 2% of profits donated to water.org. You can recognise these items by the water droplet icon on their listing.

Don’t Forget to Check the Certification of Your Merchandise

In our collection, you will find eco-friendly merchandise with various certifications depending on the controls applied. Here are some of the most important ones:

• GOTS: This is an international standard for textiles made from organic fibres. A product with this certification contains at least 70% organic textile fibres and has been produced in compliance with environmental, social, and labour rights standards.
• GRS: This applies to textiles made from recycled materials. It was created to promote the responsible use of resources, provide traceability, and ensure transparency throughout the supply chain.
• RCS: This sets requirements for the traceability and verification of recycled materials used in textile production, enabling consumers to accurately identify the origin and content of recycled materials.
• FSC: This is an international standard for responsible forest management. Certification indicates that the wood used comes from forests that conserve biodiversity, with high environmental and social management standards.
• Fairtrade: Also known as fair trade, this global movement promotes fair and ethical trading conditions for small producers in developing countries. Its aim is to reduce poverty, improve living conditions for producer communities, and promote sustainability.
• Cradle to Cradle: This approach to product management and design aims to create a sustainable circular economy. It focuses on designing products that can be completely reused at the end of their life cycle or disposed of safely without generating harmful waste.

Finally, we want to highlight a range of gifts featuring Aware™, a system created by the RCS to track the journey of recycled bottles, ensuring that these containers are recycled responsibly and providing greater transparency throughout the process.

The Most Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Materials

The materials used in sustainable branded merchandise directly impact their sustainability. Here are some of the most notable options:

• Wood: Biodegradable, durable, and recyclable, wood should come from responsibly managed forests. Notably, bamboo is strong and grows quickly, while cork can be harvested without cutting down trees.
• Eco Fabrics: Made from plant fibres like organic cotton, linen, hemp, or jute, these fabrics avoid chemical pesticides and use crop rotation techniques. They are breathable, lightweight, durable, and moisture-absorbent.
• Stone Paper: An innovative alternative for notebooks, stone paper uses significantly less water and emits less CO2. It is also resistant, waterproof, and recyclable.
• Recycled Materials: As the name suggests, these come from the transformation of waste or other products. Common materials include glass, paper, plastic, aluminium, and steel, with RPET being a notable option.
• Other Organic Materials: This category includes PLA (polylactic acid), made from renewable resources like corn starch and sugarcane, which biodegrades quickly. Coffee grounds, a discarded waste product, can be repurposed to create new items, while wheat straw, the leftover after harvesting, can be mixed with plastic to produce a stronger, more eco-friendly material.