Top 6 sustainable materials for promotional products

Promotional products are a statement about who you are as a brand and what you stand for. At a time when “sustainability” is no longer just a buzzword but genuinely influences buying decisions, it makes all the more sense to choose promotional products made of sustainable materials. Why? Because clients value it. Sustainability and beautifully designed promotional products stopped being opposites long ago — thanks to our top 6 ecological materials for promotional gifts and employee gifts.

In this blog post we dive into the world of sustainable materials for promotional gifts. We look at why they are sustainable and how sustainable materials are used in promotional products and giveaways. The most important certificates are listed as well. These are the 6 materials we present:

1. Bamboo 2. Sustainable cotton

3. Jute 4. Cork 5. Recycled plastic

6. Stainless steel

Bamboo — for the natural look

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world and needs little water and fertiliser. It is a renewable resource that absorbs CO2 and produces oxygen. Thanks to its versatility, its strength and its natural look, bamboo is an enduring favourite among sustainable materials.

Toothbrush, cutlery or coaster — bamboo wins people over with its natural elegance

Bamboo is used for a whole range of promotional gifts such as pens, notebooks, chopping boards or coffee cups. Thanks to its smooth surface, bamboo is perfect for logo decoration by laser engraving or printing.

Sustainable cotton — quality

you can feel

Sustainable cotton, often called organic cotton, is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. That protects not only the environment but everyone involved in growing and processing the cotton.

Breathable and light — sustainable cotton is very much in fashion for merchandise

Sustainable cotton is particularly popular for textile promotional products. Thanks to its pleasant, soft feel and its breathable properties, organic cotton is perfect for T-shirts, hoodies (printed with a company logo, for instance) or caps. Ecologically produced cotton is also a favourite for tote bags.

The most important and best-known certificate for sustainable cotton is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). This certification makes sure that the cotton was grown without harmful chemicals and that fair working conditions were maintained throughout the production process.

An OEKO-TEX® certification is relevant for merchandise too. The most important standards are OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN (environmentally friendly operations, safe and socially responsible workplaces, materials tested for harmful substances), OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON (no genetically modified organisms, pesticides or harmful substances) and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 (every component of the product tested for harmful substances, harmless to health).

Jute — a promotional product classic

Jute is a natural fibre that is biodegradable and compostable. It grows quickly and needs little to no pesticide or fertiliser, which makes it an environmentally friendly option. Its natural texture and strength make it a popular choice for environmentally conscious promotional products.

Practical, sustainable and stylish — the jute tote bag is one of the classics among promotional products

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) certificate can be a sign of ethically produced jute products. The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification can also confirm the absence of harmful substances.

Jute is an excellent example of a material that is both practical and environmentally friendly. It offers a natural aesthetic that goes down well with clients and supports sustainable agriculture at the same time. Jute is often used for printed promotional items such as mats, shopping bags, pouches and other carrier bags.

Cork — the material of the future?

Cork is obtained from the bark of the cork oak without felling the tree. The bark regenerates and the tree carries on absorbing CO2. Cork is biodegradable, renewable and has been in use for thousands of years.

Cork: in use for thousands of years and still right up to date

Cork is already used in the promotional products industry for a whole range of products, including yoga mats, mouse pads, bags and even umbrellas. Its unique texture and feel make it an attractive material for environmentally conscious brands, and it is easy to engrave or print. Find out more in our post on cork promotional products.

Stainless steel — reusable instead of disposable

Stainless steel is a durable and 100% recyclable material. Its strength and resistance to corrosion mean that stainless steel products often have a long service life, which reduces the need for disposable products. Thanks to these particular properties, stainless steel is food-safe and excellent for food and drink.

Durable and useful — the Twing water bottle as an employee gift or a surprise for clients

Stainless steel is used for a whole range of promotional products such as water bottles, thermos flasks, keyrings and cutlery, usually combined with an engraved logo or printed patterns.

ISO 14001 can confirm the environmentally friendly manufacture of stainless steel. It sets out the criteria for an environmental management system.

Recycled plastic — promotional products

made of rePET

Recycled plastic (rePET) uses existing plastic materials, which reduces the need for crude oil and the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfill. Using recycled plastic therefore supports the circular economy and keeps the ecological footprint to a minimum.

Coffee to go and recycling can go hand in hand: rePET coffee cups from Twing

Recycled plastic is used for coffee cups, pens, bottles, bags, phone cases and many other promotional products, usually combined with an engraving, though colour printing is possible as well.

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) is a common certificate for recycled plastic, confirming the amount and the type of recycled material in a product. You will find further useful information about rePET here.

Long-lasting and sustainable promotional products with Twing

It matters to us to offer our clients the whole range of sustainable materials for promotional products, which in turn put a smile on the faces of their clients or employees. We are happy to advise you on the way to the perfect sustainable giveaway. Simply send us an enquiry without obligation or call us now. We look forward very much to hearing from you.