The Future of Corporate Gifting: Sustainability

Sustainability and Corporate Gifting

When it comes to the products you shop for and use on a daily basis, the term "sustainable" casts a wide net. It may refer to items that are eco-friendly and made from organic, recycled, or repurposed materials. It can also mean that the item is locally-sourced or is made via a sustainable process, like zero bleaching or dyes. A reusable product that eliminates the need for single-use plastics, like stainless steel straws, is also considered sustainable. However your company decides to go green, one thing is certain: people care about the environment now more than ever.

Today's consumers feel that brands are as responsible for positive environmental change as governments, and they want to see that companies have a purpose beyond making money. According to the World Wide Fund For Nature, public interest in nature has grown by 16% since 2016, and digital activism can be seen on Twitter, where mentions of biodiversity and nature went up by 20 million between 2017 and 2021.

How can companies bridge the gap? Sustainable corporate gifts can help brands make a statement about company values. You'll communicate that you care about reducing your business's impact on the earth while encouraging employees and clients to do the same – all while showing your appreciation for them, of course.

A Worldwide Shift in Corporate Gifting

Pre-pandemic, corporate gifting and promotional products were a normal part of doing business for a lot of companies, used to build relationships with clients or partners, as well as to recognize and thank employees. But in a post-COVID world, corporate gifting has taken on new meaning and importance.

As everything from regular morning meetings to annual corporate events went remote, companies had to find different ways to stay connected to staff, clients, and other VIPs associated with the business. Thoughtful corporate gifting moved from a nicety to a necessity. Today, it's how brands recognize employees that deliver excellent work despite new challenges; bring a real-world touch to a digital conference, and close the gap with clients when in-person get-togethers aren't possible.

According to a May 2021 study by Coresight Research, which surveyed 300 U.S. corporate gift buyers, corporate gifting is expected to climb from $242 billion (in 2021) to $406 billion by 2024. And since the lockdown, 35% of the companies surveyed have gifted more than usual, making the demand for sustainable company gifts stronger than ever.

Meeting Consumer Needs

Swag like cheap pens and paper-thin tees are out. Consumers don't want the same ol' mass-produced, junky gifts and tchotchkes that are given out by the bucketful at promotional events. Instead, think about which products are useful long-term and also have a low carbon footprint. Thoughtful, sustainable products and experience-based gifts make a lasting impression – and they won't get lost at the bottom of a drawer or tossed out with the trash.

To take a modern approach to corporate gift-giving, focus on quality over quantity. Instead of handing out logo-branded pens or corporate keychains at a tradeshow or conference, give out fewer environmental company gifts and be more selective with the recipients. Bonus points if you also send a personalized note with each one!

Here's something else to consider: the more useful a corporate product is, the less of a drain it'll have on the environment. When company gifts and promotional items end up in the garbage and make their way to landfills (particularly plastics), everything from climate change to marine environments are affected.

Sustainable gift giving is about thinking from all angles. Are the promotional products themselves made ethically? Are they useful enough that the recipient will want to keep them for a long time? Will they break easily and have to be thrown out?

At Merchology, we have a wide selection of unique eco-friendly gifts that your employees, clients, and partners will want to hang onto and use over and over again.

Sustainable Logo-Branded Gifts from Merchology

Zusa sells sustainable clothing, backpacks, and gear that can be customized with your embroidered business logo. The idea behind Zusa apparel is that both men and women can stay comfortable in the workplace and do good for the environment – 93% of the line is made using recycled materials, including more than 2.5 million plastic bottles. From corporate polos and logo-branded jackets to branded reusable drinkware, Zusa’s custom sustainable products have extra blank space that's just waiting for your embroidered or screen-printed logo design.

That just touches the surface of our Merchology sustainable collection, too. We have a wide assortment of sustainable clothing, bags, and hats for everything from high-performance sports to routine errands. We've got custom recyclable drinkware and reusable straws, as well as everyday household products made from sustainable materials like bamboo and hemp. For sustainable corporate swag like notebooks, stationery, and even eco-friendly pens and pencils, we’ve got the widest selection around.

Plus, almost nothing is more environment-friendly than a company experience gift, such as virtual wine tastings from Old York Cellars. There are four wine and chocolate tasting virtual events to choose from, each one led by an expert sommelier to help your team relax and learn with every sip! You'll start by having a corporate wine gift set – complete with branded wine labels featuring your logo – sent to each attendee. (P.S. You'll be supporting a New Jersey-based small business, too!)

Contact Us to Find Your Perfect Sustainable Company Gift

The shift in corporate gifting and promotional items is undoubtedly moving toward sustainability and environmentalism. Choose Merchology to stay ahead of the trend while helping the planet. Call a Merchologist for help today selecting custom eco-friendly gift sets or individual items!