Social responsibility is more than just a fad—it’s an increasingly important requirement for businesses selecting a vendor as well as a value that employees hope to see reflected in their company culture. This is particularly true of younger employees, who are significantly more likely to rank corporate social responsibility as critical to their workplace satisfaction.

Choosing sustainable products for your corporate gifting program is one way to demonstrate commitment to your values. Consult this guide for ideas about products that your employees will love—and that will help to protect the earth for future generations. 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Did you know that a single reusable bottle saves an average of 156 plastic bottles annually?

When it comes to selecting promotional gifts, a reusable item is always a more sustainable option than a single-use product. If these products are designed for office use, they can also reduce the overall number of items your business consumes and throws away on a daily basis, helping save you waste management costs.

Employees love reusable tote bags, mugs, water bottles, and pack-a-lunch vessels with leak-proof lids. Package it all together to send a clear message about your company’s commitment to cutting down on waste.

When you do need to go single-use, consider choosing items that can be recycled, like branded recyclable stadiums cups or conference bags and lanyards made of recyclable plastic.

What It’s Made Of, Where It’s Made

As ecological concerns have increasingly filtered into public consciousness, our understanding of how to differentiate environmentally friendly products from harmful ones has grown more sophisticated.

These days, choosing socially responsible products isn’t only about recycling—it’s about understanding the conditions under which a product is produced. This includes evaluating the materials that go into a product, how far the product (and its components) has to travel to reach its final destination, and the labor practices that support its production. 

Consider sourcing shirts and hoodies made from recycled or organic cotton, notebooks and other paper products from recycled paper, and even magnets and pens made from materials that were once a part of something else. 

To manage a product’s carbon footprint, you might look into products made in the USA or even in your region. This ensures that the product doesn’t need to be shipped overseas to reach your customers, and it also allows you to feel more confident that the people who make the product aren’t being exposed to environmental dangers in their workplace.

Wooden products are also trending aesthetically—and luckily, bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials around. Mugs and cutting boards made from bamboo look distinguished and expensive without breaking the bank. 

And if that’s not incentive enough, wood products are also a form of carbon sequestration. Because trees are literally made out of carbon, the greater the demand for wooden products, the more carbon is sucked out of the air by commercial bamboo crops, which is why one recommendation for lowering net carbon emissions involves building skyscrapers out of wood instead of other materials. 

A branded cutting board isn’t just useful and pleasing to the eye—it converts atmospheric carbon into a thoughtful gift. Imagine that!

Compost Chic

You might be surprised at how much technology has evolved in the last ten years. Today, most single-use items can be made of compostable ingredients. 

Envision your first post-COVID company picnic. Instead of the traditional plastic plates and forks, consider eye-catching compostable products that generate conversation about your company’s values and commitment to giving back. 

When you need to go single-use for efficiency, consider branded drinkware and tableware made from compostable ingredients like clear or opaque cups, and napkins, plates, and utensils made from compostable paper, corn, or soy. 

It’s a small choice that speaks volumes about your corporate culture, making your employees proud to be on your team. 

Contact us for advice about how to select products that speak your values.