The eco-friendly product marketing industry is worth approximately $3 billion dollars and continues to grow rapidly. Additionally, more than half of consumers say that sustainable packaging and shipping is important to them. As consumer awareness and demand for sustainability grows, G2 Marketing & Events is here to guide you to ensure your promotional products resonate with your audience.
Here are some key ways you can play a role in making sustainability a core principle of our industry and your next promotion.
Products:
May seem obvious, but consider sustainably-focused products, such as those that are reusable, recycled, or biodegradable. We have a promotional product marketplace rich in sustainable options (link). Some of the most popular products in this category include reusable water bottles in glass and recycled aluminum, tote bags and backpacks in recycled fabrics, and apparel in organic or recycled cotton.
Use promotional products to forge an emotional connection with your audience, which will lower the chance your product ends up in the landfill. Products with thoughtful design and packaging will create more of a connection to the item. We recommend you invest in products that are purposeful and personal. The days of mass-producing hundreds or thousands of low-quality or over-used giveaway items is ending.
Packaging:
Roughly one third of consumers prioritize products or brands using eco-friendly, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging when making a purchase decision. Push for less unnecessary packaging by working with distributors to see what your options are.
Shipping and Distribution:
Explore alternative shipping methods, which are also often more cost effective, including freight and rail for domestic routes and sea transportation for international shipments. These options are preferred over air freight. Placing orders far enough in advance will also avoid the need for rush deliveries and the use of less efficient modes of transportation.
Promote and opt for locally-sourced items, which reduces transportation miles and can have a positive impact on communities. This can be a triple threat for purpose-driven companies.
Partner with companies focused on sustainable logistic practices, such as using hybrid or electric trucks for short-distance distribution.
Navigating the world of product selection can be overwhelming, especially with the multitude of sustainability labels and terms. Products can be categorized as organic, toxic-free, fair trade, and more. To help you make informed choices, here is a quick guide to the general meanings of common product labels:
Organic: The product is free of any synthetic materials, such as antibiotics or pesticides, refrains from GMOs, and preserves natural resources.
Natural: A very ambiguous label that doesn’t necessarily mean the product doesn’t contain anything artificial or synthetic.
Non-Toxic: This means a product does not have toxic responses in humans and is not toxic to the environment.
Green: A ‘green’ product or service is an umbrella term for a product that has less of an environmental or human impact.
Compostable/ Biodegradable: This type of product must break down at a rate similar to paper.
Fair Trade: Many of these products are also organic, but fair trade refers to the fair treatment of workers. Fair Trade certified products must meet strict standards for worker’s pay and treatment.
Free-Of: A product can be labeled as ‘free-of’ if the substance typically associated with a product is only found in trace amounts. For example, gluten-free bread is considered a ‘free-of’ product.
Recycled: A recycled product means it was made from either pre-consumer waste, such as scraps, or post-consumer waste, such as milk jugs or aluminum cans.
Renewable Materials: Products made with this type of material contain those that can be made over a short period of time, including bamboo, palm oil, and sugar cane.
Finding the right product, packaging, and distribution can be stressful and overwhelming. We are here to understand your top priorities for marketing promotions and guide you seamlessly from start to finish.
Contact G2 Marketing and Events to work with event planners that curate, inspect, and manage your products and inventory. Choose us as your one-stop-shop to ensure your brand stands out with ease and efficiency. Let our solutions work for you!
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