Eco Friendly Promotional Products
Eco friendly promotional products have moved a long way from the token gesture of a few years ago.
The tote bags we give out at events are made with recycled denim. People regularly comment on how they feel before finding out what they’re made from, which gives us something to talk about while they’re looking at the bag.
For your own order, there are products containing recycled materials, organic cotton options and reusable items to consider. Tell us what you need them for, how many you’re after and what you’d like to spend. We supply businesses across the UK and can help you compare suitable products, including what they’re made from.
What does “eco-friendly” mean?
You’ll see this term used for quite different products. Some contain recycled material. Others use certified organic fibres, or are designed to be refilled and used again. Those details matter when you’re comparing them.
Look for a specific description of the material and which parts of the product it applies to. A recycled barrel, for example, tells you something about a pen, but it doesn’t describe the ink refill or clip. An environmental claim about one component shouldn’t give the impression that it applies to the whole item. The CMA’s Green Claims Code explains this in more detail.
If your business has a purchasing policy to follow, send us the requirements with your enquiry. We can use those when checking
Choosing products people will use
Start with who you’re giving the merchandise to and what they’ll use it for. A conference bag needs enough room for the things delegates will carry. A notebook for staff needs to suit the way they work, whether that means lined pages, plain paper or something small enough to keep in a pocket.
Think about the quantity as well. A realistic headcount and a sensible allowance for extras can help avoid boxes sitting in storage after an event. For staff gifts, find out what people already have and what they’d find useful.
The material is one part of the choice. Size, quality and how the product will be used deserve attention too.
There are bags containing recycled cotton, recycled denim and RPET, as well as organic cotton and jute options. The fabric weight, handles and dimensions will help you narrow down the choice. A lightweight bag for a few leaflets has a different job from one that will carry shopping home.
Ask us about a sample if you’re unsure about the weight or finish. It’s easier to judge a bag when you can put a few things in it and try the handles. Our branded tote bag guide explains more about the options.
Pens with recycled plastic barrels, paper-based barrels and bamboo components are among the options we can look at. There are also models made with bio-based plastics.
Try the pen if you can. How it writes and feels in your hand will matter to the person using it. If you want a refillable model, ask about replacement refills before choosing it. We’ll also check how your logo fits the available print area; a small barrel may need a simpler version of your artwork.
Reusable drinkware is an option for staff gifts, welcome packs and events. There are models containing recycled stainless steel or recycled plastic, but the percentage and the components covered vary by product.
Choose around how it will be used. Someone carrying a bottle in a bag will need different features from someone keeping a mug on their desk. Capacity, the type of lid and how it’s cleaned will help narrow the choice. For tea and coffee, you’ll need a model suitable for hot drinks. We’ll confirm the branding method and care advice for the one you choose.
With notebooks, the cover and pages may have different material descriptions. A recycled cover doesn’t necessarily mean the writing paper is recycled too. You can also ask about paper carrying an FSC label; the different labels are explained below.
Then look at the details you’d check on any notebook: size, page layout, binding and how it feels to write in. For a conference pack, consider what attendees will need during the event. For a staff notebook, ask which format they already use.
These are options when you need something small to hand out or include in a pack. Available materials include recycled plastics and, on some products, plastic with a documented collection source.
If that source is part of your campaign, check the supplier’s description before putting it on your artwork. Plastic collected from the sea and plastic collected before it reaches the sea are different claims. You’ll also need enough room for your logo to be readable on the finished item.
Coasters, pen pots and desk organisers are available with bamboo or recycled-material components. Think about where the item will sit and how much room someone has for it.
For a charging accessory, make sure it’s compatible with the recipient’s phone. That needs to be part of the choice alongside the casing material.
Seed paper can be used for printed cards, bookmarks and other small items. It contains seeds and is intended to be planted after use.
Allow space for planting instructions and check which seeds are included. Successful growth depends on the seed mix and growing conditions, including water and light, so it shouldn’t be promised as a guaranteed result. UK Seed Paper’s planting guide gives an example of the care involved.
It suits a campaign where planting is something the recipient would enjoy doing. That’s worth thinking about before choosing it for a large mailing.
Understanding Eco Friendly Promotional Product Materials
Recycled Plastic (RPET)
RPET means recycled polyethylene terephthalate. PET is used in drinks bottles and can be reprocessed into material for new products, including polyester fibres. REPREVE is one example of a manufacturer doing this.
For the product you’re ordering, check how much recycled material it contains and where that material comes from. Recycled content and recyclability are separate questions: the fact that an item contains recycled plastic doesn’t tell you where it can be recycled after use.
Bamboo
Bamboo is used in products such as pen barrels, coasters and desk accessories. A finished item may also contain adhesives, coatings, metal or plastic, so the bamboo component is only part of its material description.
Food and drink products need particular care. The Food Standards Agency advises against using bamboo-plastic composite containers for food or drink. Its advice distinguishes those composites from items made solely from bamboo. See the FSA’s explanation.
Recycled Paper and Stone Paper
For recycled paper, ask about the recycled content and which parts of the item it covers. An FSC label can provide more information about the forest-based materials, but the label type matters.
Stone paper is a different material. It can contain mineral powder bound with plastic; one stone-paper producer describes using HDPE as the binder. Check the composition and disposal instructions for the particular notebook before treating it as plastic-free or putting it in paper recycling.
Bio-Polymer
Bio-based describes where some or all of a plastic’s raw material comes from. It doesn’t automatically mean the item is biodegradable or compostable.
Industrial composting also requires controlled conditions that may not be available at home. The European Environment Agency explains the difference. For a compostable item, you’ll need disposal instructions and a suitable collection or treatment route.
Ocean-bound and recovered marine plastic
Ocean-bound plastic is waste considered at risk of reaching the ocean. It may be collected on land before it gets there. That is how the Ocean Bound Plastic Certification programme defines its starting point.
Descriptions of recovered marine plastic should explain where the material was collected. Ask about the collection source, the proportion in the product and the evidence supporting it. Use that specific information if you want to explain the material on a card or in your campaign.
Organic cotton, jute and cork
These appear in bags, coasters and other accessories. For organic cotton, check the certification and what it covers. A description of the fibre alone doesn’t establish how every later production step was carried out.
With jute and cork products, the lining, backing and other components are also part of the specification. These can affect how the finished item can be looked after or disposed of.
What to check on a certificate
For paper and wood, FSC has different labels. FSC 100% refers to forest-based material from FSC-certified forests. FSC Recycled identifies recycled forest-based material. FSC Mix allows a combination of approved sources. An FSC label on its own is therefore not a claim that the paper is recycled.
The Recycled Claim Standard and Global Recycled Standard are used to verify recycled material and trace it through the supply chain. GRS also includes additional processing requirements. GOTS covers the processing of textiles made with certified organic fibres.
If a particular certification is required for your order, tell us at the start. We can ask the supplier what applies to the finished branded item, including the decoration. That gives us a clearer brief than asking for something generally described as sustainable.
Getting your logo ready
Send us the best version of your logo you have. If your designer supplied an AI, EPS or PDF file, include it with your enquiry. We’ll check the contents and whether the artwork suits the product and branding method.
If you only have a JPG or PNG, send that over. We can advise whether a redraw is needed and explain any artwork charge before you proceed. Print, embroidery and engraving have different requirements, so the final method will depend on the item you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eco Friendly Promotional Products
Are eco-friendly promotional products more expensive?
It depends on the product. Material, quantity and branding all affect the price, so there isn’t one answer for the whole range. Give us a budget and we can quote suitable options. Compare the total order cost, including any setup or artwork charges, delivery and VAT.
Is there a minimum order?
We don’t set one minimum across the whole range. Individual products and branding methods have their own minimum quantities. Tell us how many you need and we’ll check the options for that number.
How long will my order take?
That depends on stock, quantity and the branding involved. Give us your delivery date with the initial enquiry, particularly if it’s for an event. We’ll check what is achievable and confirm the timing for the chosen product, including when artwork needs to be approved.
Can I see a sample?
Ask us about a sample of the product you’re considering. We’ll check availability, any cost and whether it will be branded or unbranded. It can help you judge the size, finish and quality before placing the full order.
Can you check a product against our purchasing requirements?
Send us the requirements with your enquiry. We can find out about material content, certification and any supporting documents. If the available information doesn’t establish what you need, we’ll explain that so you can decide how to proceed.
Ready to Order Eco Friendly Promotional Products?
We’re based in Kent and supply branded merchandise to businesses across the UK and Ireland. Send us your quantity, budget and delivery date, along with any material requirements. If you’ve already spotted a product, include the link. If you’re still deciding, tell us what the order is for and we’ll help you work through the options.
