Merchandise is still an ever-popular tool for engaging with your audience at exhibitions and events. But, we’re all becoming more mindful of the giveaway’s impact that it can have on the environment. More businesses are now keen to stay away from ‘gimmicky’ style giveaways. As they often end up in landfill in favour of items that can have a positive impact on the environment.
We are a sustainable brand who are always on the lookout for ideas to make exhibitions kinder to the environment. So, here’s a run-down of our favourite eco-friendly merchandise ideas.
1. Sow and Grow Kits
Plants as giveaways are a really popular choice in general, especially those that can be branded and popped on the recipient’s work desk as a constant reminder of your company. You may be worried about how they might travel for international events. Sow and grow kits are an ideal giveaway to show your green credentials. With seeds and soil coins, they can be grown out of their pouches with lots of seed options including cottage garden mix, mixed herbs, or a sunflower!
2. Eco-friendly packaged sweets
Sweets as a giveaway are always going to be well received. But, a lot of sweets often come in single use packaging. If you’re keen to follow the sweet route, look out for ones that come in recycled or even compostable packaging. The packaging for these sweets from Arcadia will compost down in under 12 weeks!
3. Eco-friendly cutlery
With many food outlets such as Waitrose doing away with single use cutlery in their stores, people are increasingly needing to keep their own set of cutlery on hand. That’s what makes this giveaway such an ideal option, as it’s something that many people won’t have but actually do really need. If your brand isn’t food related, consider tying this travel cutlery in with something edible so that it makes logical sense.
4. Seeded Paper Bags
Branded bags are a great way to get your company’s name out there, as exhibition attendees make their way around the rest of the event and their way home after. However, they can obviously have a negative impact on the environment, which is why so many brands turn to recycled or recyclable bags instead. Why not take it one step further and use seeded paper bags that can be planted once you’re finished with them? As the bag degrades, the seeds germinate and shortly after flowers will grow!
5. Seed sticks
With a large surface area giving you plenty of branding opportunity, these seed sticks are a classic and reasonably priced eco-friendly option, with a variety of different seed options available so you can tailor the choice of plant more to your company or particular campaign.
6. Branded beeswax wraps
Depending on if it suits your particular industry, beeswax wraps are another great eco-friendly option for a giveaway. As a large surface that can be fully branded, these will likely be used on a regular basis by the recipient, when they wrap up excess food or take their sandwich in for lunch. It’s definitely a good talking point and if branded thoughtfully, could really win your company some green brownie points!
7. Glass and bamboo tea infuser
With many other companies already offering reusable coffee cups, why not try something a little different like this glass and bamboo tea infuser? Not only does it look and feel premium, it will help you stand out more from the crowd environmentally!.
8. Solar Powered Charger
Appeal to your more outdoorsy customers with this clever solar powered portable charger. This is perfect for the summertime and festival season!
9. Jute and twill tote bags
As more companies are giving away reusable bags, we can all be guilty of building up a backlog that we don’t actually use. If you would like to give out a tote bag ensure yours is the one they reach for time and time again by buying higher quality, modern versions. If cost is an issue, buy fewer, better tote bags – like this one. Really take time to consider who you’re giving them to and whether you realistically feel they will turn into a customer.
10. Glass Water Bottle
Choose a bottle that reflects your brand personality in a modern and cool way. This glass version with a wooden lid is a particular favourite of ours.
11. Seedballs matchboxes
Having already used these as promotional giveaways ourselves, this company create small matchboxes that hold ‘seedballs’ containing your choice of wildflower seeds. You scatter them onto bare soil or compost, they grow into beautiful flowers that attract and protect bees and butterflies. The packaging can also be fully branded with a design of your choice.
12. Sprout Pencil
An innovative idea that still offers lots of space for branding and message across, Sprout pencils can be used for writing and drawing. When you’re finished, you can plant them into the ground or a nearby plant pot and let them grow. With multiple seed options, there’s lots of different options to suit your brand.
Top things to consider when choosing eco-friendly giveaways
Think through the following pointers to ensure you are keeping the impact on the environment front of mind:
- Think of the potential lifespan of an idea you might have. How long do you really think it will be used? Is it likely to be passed onto other family members?
- Is it an item you think they need and will come in handy in their day to day lives?
- Is the item of a good enough quality that they will want to use?
- Just because something falls in the eco-friendly bucket, if the quality isn’t good enough these may well be relegated to the bin. Many companies give out these types of items and they are useful. However, there will come a point when someone might just have too many of them. If you choose to follow this route, make sure it’s your ones they prefer to use over others.
- Will the recipient actually want that item with your branding on it? Think carefully about which items you’re branding. Some things lend themselves to being nicely branded by your company but other items might feel a little strange branded. Think about discreet ways you can do this. This could be by using smaller logos, branded linings or placing the item inside branded packaging instead.
If you need further inspiration for choosing the best giveaways for your company, read our Exhibition Tips and Tricks: The Ultimate Exhibition Stand Checklist. Alternatively, if you’re seeking out other ways to make your next show truly sustainable, contact our friendly team for sustainable stand design ideas!
