By now you’ve
heard the term sustainability more times than you can count, but how many times
have you thought about what this word means? According to this article by
Forbes, sustainability “can be defined as providing for the present needs
without compromising the needs of the future generations to meet theirs.”(2) We tend to lump sustainability and products made
from recycled materials together as one in the same; however, there is so much
more to sustainability than meets the eye. Just because something is made from
eco-friendly materials, doesn’t mean it’s sustainable. So today we’re
introducing a new term . . . last-ability . . . and we’re going to discuss how
important it is for your brand to source and design merch that will last.
It’s not the be
all end all, but one of the first places to start as you embrace sustainability
is the material used to manufacture your merch. According to this article,
sustainable materials fall into one of three categories: natural, renewable,
and harmless or non-toxic.(3) Wood, bamboo, hemp, bioplastics and, of course,
recycled materials are just some of the resources that fall under one of these
categories, and all make for excellent material alternatives. As the demand for
products made from earth-friendlier materials is growing, the promotional
products industry is starting to offer a growing catalog of brandable,
eco-conscious goods
This might be
obvious, but another important thing to consider when selecting products is the
lifespan of the item. When possible, offer products that are durable,
high-quality, and good for multiple uses to cut back on waste. This could mean
choosing stainless steel or Tritan drinkware, or opting to purchase a smaller
quantity of higher priced items to give away at tradeshows instead of
blanketing the event with low-priced, low-quality throwaways. Additionally, and
this is huge, the last-ability of a branded item isn’t determined solely by the
product itself, but also by the design and messaging you print on the product.
No one wants to carry your business card on their water bottle. Get creative!
Be intentional about design. Use fun messages to get people’s attention and, as
often as possible, print your logo and branding more discreetly. The fact of
the matter is people won’t see your logo if they aren’t even keeping the
product. For something to last, it must first be kept!
Don’t let your
efforts to be more earth-friendly stop with the products themselves. Consider
ways you can make the packaging that products are delivered in more sustainable
too. Bundling products in a shipment, using recycled packaging materials, and
opting for packing paper over packing peanuts are all easy ways to make a huge
difference. We would love the opportunity to discuss packaging options with you
and are proud to work with suppliers certified by the Sustainable Forestry
Initiative (SFI), the largest single forest standard in the world.
When it comes to building your brand, it’s important to pick products that will stand the test of time. Being intentional about choosing better products and decorating these products more thoughtfully will help your business be more memorable – and help the planet at the same time. That’s a win-win.
Contact us for sustainable promotional products to support the marketing of your business!
Proforma Prime Image
prime.image@proforma.com
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