Sustainable Corporate Gift Guide

More businesses are prioritizing environmental sustainability than ever before. This affects how they use resources to serve their customers and what they do for their employees. If your company gives corporate gifts, you can help create a greener future by choosing eco-friendly items.

This article will explain the benefits of sustainable corporate gifting, clarify what makes a gift sustainable and share 15 creative ideas to get you started.

Why Give Sustainable Corporate Gifts?

If a decision about corporate gifting lands on your desk, you may be curious how giving sustainable corporate gifts will help your company. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Resource efficiency: Choosing sustainable corporate gifts helps reduce waste and improve your business’s carbon footprint.
• Green culture: Ordering sustainable gifts for your employees helps them live more eco-friendly lives. This takes the positive environmental impact beyond the confines of your company into your employees’ households, multiplying the waste reduction benefits.
• Eco-friendly image: Giving sustainable corporate gifts tells your employees and everyone in their circles that your company cares about the earth. This helps enhance your brand image and may even have downstream benefits for revenue since 44% of people prefer buying from sustainable brands.
• Enhanced engagement: Presenting sustainable gifts to your employees will delight, unite and motivate them. Watch employee engagement increase with your gifting as team members feel part of a larger mission.

What Makes a Gift Sustainable?

Maybe you’re interested in sustainable corporate gifting for employees but need some help with what to look for. “Sustainable” is more than a buzzword. Check for the following factors to decide whether a potential gift is eco-friendly:

• Extended use: Reusable items help reduce waste, especially when people choose them instead of single-use alternatives. They also reduce emissions from manufacturing replacement single-use products every time. For example, a reusable water bottle is a sustainable alternative to a single-use plastic bottle.
• Biodegradable materials: When compostable and biodegradable items are discarded, their decomposition is harmless or even nourishing to the environment. By contrast, most discarded plastics take decades or centuries to break down, harming animals and ecosystems. When they do degrade, they release toxic chemicals. Switching to biodegradable products like cotton or hemp bags helps reduce this damage.
• Recycled materials: Products made from recycled or recyclable materials help minimize waste. Even if the materials are not biodegradable, recycling them for multiple uses is better for the environment than discarding them. For example, look for corporate apparel made from recycled cotton or polyester.
• Renewable resources: Gifts made by companies that incorporate renewable resources into their products or processes are more sustainable. For example, QMILK and sheep wool are renewable fabrics for corporate apparel. Provided they are responsibly harvested, plant materials are also renewable resources. Eco-friendly plant materials for corporate gifts include cork, jute, bamboo, cotton and hemp.
• Organic products: Organic products made without harmful chemicals make great sustainable corporate gifts.
• Sustainability certifications: Some companies have earned certifications from reputable environmental bodies verifying their products as sustainable. These certifications can provide extra assurance.

15 Sustainable Corporate Gifting Ideas

Wading through all the potential corporate gifts and checking their individual materials and manufacturing processes could take a little more time than you’ve budgeted for. To streamline your search, we’ve compiled this list of 15 sustainable corporate gifting examples to get you started.

1. Reusable Water Bottles

Americans buy around 50 billion water bottles each year. These bottles contribute to the 14 million tons of plastic entering our oceans annually, harming sea creatures and disrupting ecosystems.

Be part of the solution by giving your employees customized reusable water bottles with your company branding. This gift helps steer them away from single-use plastic while giving them something practical to enjoy daily. They’ll take their reusable bottles everywhere with them, promoting your eco-friendly brand along the way.

Reusable water bottles come in different materials. Consider this CamelBak Eddy+ Tritan Renew Custom Water Bottle made from innovative RENEWED plastic, which is 50% recycled. For a different look and feel, try this BPA-free stainless steel bottle with a bamboo lid. Bamboo is one of the hottest sustainable corporate gift trends, so expect to see it in a few of our top suggestions!

2. Steel Tumblers

A tumbler is another sustainable drinkware essential. This Stainless Steel Promotional Tumbler comes with a reusable straw for enhanced waste reduction. It’s BPA-free and keeps your employees’ drinks of choice hot or cold for up to six hours.

Whether they’re sipping on coffee, soda or water, this stylish steel tumbler will come in handy. Plus, it’s available in three colors, so you can choose the one that best suits your branding and add your company logo to it.

3. Reusable Straws

Whether or not you’re ordering a tumbler that comes with its own straw, it’s worth considering a reusable Stainless Steel Custom Straw as a corporate gift. Reusable straws are an excellent sustainable corporate gift to offset pollution from the 500 million single-use straws Americans use daily.

This steel straw comes with a complimentary travel pouch and cleaning brush. Choose one of six colors and add your brand design to the pouch for a promotional touch.

4. Eco-Friendly Mugs

Rounding out our sustainable drinkware lineup, consider the Sigrid ECO Stainless Steel Promotional Mug with a press-on, anti-spill lid. This sleek reusable mug comes in black, navy or white and is customizable with your company’s branding.

It works equally well for coffee, tea, hot chocolate or any warm beverage your employees love to take with them throughout their day. A sturdy stainless steel outer wall and a recycled plastic liner make this mug an eco-friendly sipping companion.

5. Planet-Friendly T-Shirts

Everybody loves a good T-shirt. Plus, they’re ideal for displaying your company branding, which has promotional and culture-building benefits. Throw in sustainability for the ideal corporate gift.

Giving your team eco-friendly customized T-shirts is an excellent way to represent your brand in sustainable style. Our recommendations all have green features like:

• Sustainably sourced USA cotton.
• Fairtrade organic fabrics.
• Recycled materials, including polyester fiber from recycled plastic bottles.
• Spin-dye production using 90% less water, fewer chemicals and less energy.

6. Sustainable Long-Sleeve Shirts

For those cooler days, consider customized long-sleeve tops. Eco-friendly promotional long-sleeve shirts offer the same branding opportunities, comfort and environmental benefits as T’s STYLE, with added warmth.

We suggest the Threadfast Triblend Custom 3/4-Sleeve Raglan unisex shirt. The inclusive unisex shape is perfect for a diverse team. The shirt’s recycled materials include polyester fibers partly derived from recycled plastic bottles. The cotton blended with the polyester is sustainably sourced, as Threadfast belongs to the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). Buying this shirt also helps Threadfast’s “Plant with Threadfast” program for tree planting, land preparation and seeding projects.

If you want to give your employees more than three-quarter sleeve coverage, go with this full long-sleeve organic cotton option from tentree. It’s derived from 100% Fairtrade Certified cotton. The entire product is Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Gold as fully biodegradable, and every purchase contributes to environmental nonprofits.

7. Customized Hoodies

Hoodies are another classic apparel choice for corporate gifting. They’re comfortable and cozy with ample space for an eye-catching company logo.

Promote your business, your employees’ health and a greener future for our planet with the Champion® Double Dry Eco Hooded Custom Sweatshirt hoodie. The polyester in its cotton-polyester blend is made partly from recycled plastic bottles, so purchasing it helps reduce plastic pollution. It comes in 16 colors, so you’re sure to find one that complements your branding perfectly.

Alternatively, we have a stylish, youthful women’s option if that suits your team and culture. Check out the Lane Seven Cropped Fleece Custom Women’s Hoodie as another sustainable choice. Lane Seven also belongs to the BCI, so buying this hoodie supports sustainable cotton farming.

8. Tote Bags

Tote bags make stylish, sustainable and practical corporate gifts. Like plastic bottles, single-use plastic shopping bags are a major contributor to plastic pollution in our oceans. Tote bags are a great multi-use substitute. They have a long life span, are usually made from biodegradable materials and work for grocery shopping and everyday carry. Plus, they offer ample space to promote your corporate brand.

Sustainable tote bag options include:

• This Custom Printed Hemp Cotton Tote Bag with all natural materials. Your purchase contributes to environmental nonprofits.
• This Marketplace Jute Custom Tote Bag derived from natural vegetable fibers.
• This Recycled Cotton Custom Tote Bag made from a recycled cotton-polyester blend. Your purchase contributes to environmental nonprofits.

9. Recycled Computer Backpacks

While tote bags cover many everyday uses, employees bringing laptops to work will prefer a sealable backpack. This Full Color Parkland Kingston Custom Computer Backpack is constructed from 100% recycled water bottles. Along with the zippered main compartment with room for up to a 15-inch laptop, it has multiple smaller storage compartments for accessories and everyday carry items.

10. Recycled Umbrellas

A promotional umbrella offers protection from sun and rain while promoting your brand to the world. Choose one made from recycled materials, like this customizable rPET Canopy Umbrella with a bamboo handle.

It’s made of post-consumer recycled materials that are recyclable for further use at some United States facilities. Its steel frame and recycled polyester canopy provide sturdy protection from the rain, while its bamboo handle and wrist wrap give your employees a firm grip.

11. Eco-Friendly Notebooks

Notebooks are a useful corporate gift to help employees put their ideas down on paper. These could be the ideas that take their lives, or your business, to the next level.

Gift your employees eco-friendly notebooks or journals to organize their lives and express their thoughts. One of our favorites is the Albany Custom Bamboo Notebook with a beautiful bamboo cover and matching bamboo pen. For extra affordability, check out the Recycled Magnetic Custom Journal Book made of 100% recycled paper. Even the complementary pen is recycled!

Either of these books would look stunning with your company’s logo emblazoned on the cover.

12. Recycled Pens

Pens are a go-to corporate gift idea. Even in this digitized age, most of us still use pens every day to jot down ideas, reminders and signatures. Plus, they’re easy to customize with your branding to remind your employees that they’re a valued part of your mission. Recycled pens are a superb, sustainable take on this classic corporate gift. Check out these recycled promotional pens:

• The Eco-Friendly Bamboo Promo Pen has a natural bamboo barrel and 100% biodegradable plastic parts.
• The Recycled Aluminum and Bamboo Promotional Pen has a recycled aluminum barrel and bamboo plunger.
• The Custom RPET Trenton Pen is made from recycled plastic bottles and has seven color options.

13. Sustainable Power Banks

Employees love receiving power banks as corporate gifts. These helpful gifts keep their devices powered up, whether for work or personal use. This Plank Rechargeable Bamboo Wireless Custom Power Bank is an attractive, sustainable way to keep their batteries full.

This power bank works both as a regular plug-in power bank and as a wireless charger, depending on the capabilities of the device you want to charge. Its gorgeous natural bamboo surface is customizable with your company logo to declare your commitment to building a sustainable culture.

Using sustainable materials, this product lets you invest in a healthier planet. One percent of the proceeds from every unit goes to environmental nonprofits.

14. Bento Boxes

Chances are, many of your employees bring packed lunches to work. Consider giving them BPA-free promotional bento boxes to carry their meals. This microwave-safe option has a natural wooden lid and will help employees cut down on single-use food packaging. The lid is customizable to promote your brand wherever they go. The gift also includes a reusable plastic cutlery set.

15. Promotional Planters

By gifting your employees planters, you can cultivate care for the environment while showing appreciation for your team. As they tend to a living, growing thing, their compassion for the planet will grow along with their seedling. Promotional planters allow you to add your branding to the pot and packaging. Here are a few options to consider:

• Seed Sensations Custom Terra Cotta Planter with three seed options and soil included.
• Bamboo Planter Blossom Promo Kit made from 100% biodegradable bamboo.
• Organic Growable Custom Planter includes soil, a choice of seeds and an organic wood fiber pot.

Gifting any of these planters to your team tells them that you care about their growth and the planet’s future.

Order Sustainable Corporate Gifts From ePromos

If you’re ready to order sustainable gifts for your employees, you need the right promotional products partner. Choose ePromos to get the gifts you want customized with your branding. We deliver the right products with the right designs at the right time, or your order is free.

Browse our environmentally friendly promotional items to choose your gifts. Customization is included, so submit your brand design and add the items to your cart in the quantity you need. If you place your order by 3 p.m., we’ll send a design proof within 24 hours and start production immediately once you approve it.

For help getting the perfect sustainable corporate gifts, speak with our promotional products experts. We look forward to working with you and helping your brand elevate its sustainability initiative.