Ordering promotional merch… how hard can it be? Trust us, we have seen the outcomes when people...
At Inck, we see ourselves as leaders in the sustainable promotional products space in Australia. We care about who made it, what it’s made of, and where it comes from. We are always transparent when sharing information and never greenwash. When clients come to us with questions, we have the answers because this is an area where we are very proactive and always up to date with the latest best practices.
If you have been tasked with procuring promotional products but the brief includes merchandise that is sustainable and ethically sourced, take a look at seven things to keep in mind.
Sustainable promotional products: what you need to know
#1 It doesn’t have to be plastic
New Backpack and Duffel Bags made from German Washable Kraft Paper.
Materials matter and promotional products don’t have to be made from plastic. Who said that a low-budget promotional shopping bag or a giveaway drink bottle, needs to be made from new plastic? Nowadays, there are natural material options for substituting plastic in various product categories, from shopping bags made from hemp fibres to bamboo headphones.
Our custom merch catalogue range includes items made from sustainable materials including cotton, bamboo, hemp, jute, paper, and cork. And even the products you might assume can only be made from synthetic materials, such as an everyday backpack, are now available in natural materials, such as washable paper, and organic cotton.
Sometimes a project requires a product made from plastic, for example, a Sports Water Bottle for athletes to use during a competition. In cases such as this, our product specialists will prioritise sourcing the product locally in Australia and New Zealand, by companies with a clear social and sustainability mission.
Inck is also proactive when it comes to sourcing groundbreaking products that break down more easily once they are disposed of. One product we have worked with recently is Eco-One®, an organic additive (not an oxo-biodegradable additive) that enhances the biodegradation of plastic products in a biologically active landfill.
#2 Think long-term
High-quality hats will remain with your client longer than simple disposable merch. We are proud to have created collectors-item merch for the top brands in the country. Go Wallabies®!
When you’re planning your next promotional campaign, think about purpose-specific items that will be less likely to be thrown away. A quality cap, for example, rather than a novelty squeeze toy. A notepad can be an alternative to stickers. Choose a beach towel, a sturdy umbrella, or a useful backpack. This will give you a double win because your customers will hold onto them for longer.
At Inck, we think it’s smart to plan for durability. Depending on the product, and the recipients, you might want to consider – Is it dishwasher-safe? Is it microwave-safe? Will the logo fade with use? Will it shrink in the wash? If you want promotional attire to be worn out in public (not just in bed), it might be worth considering a design with a more subtle logo or message.
If the main point of promotional products is to showcase your business, it makes sense to not only create a product that lasts but is something your audience is happy to use/wear with pride.
#3 Ask more questions
These days, a B-Corp certification doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. Many companies are flying close to ‘greenwashing’, which means they claim to create sustainable promotional products but don’t actually do so.
Ask questions about the materials, the factory, the mode of transport, the way things are packaged etc. To share an example, at Inck, only highly innovative and purposeful plastic bag products appear in our promotional merchandise collection. We also take steps to minimise excess packaging.
Read more: 6 questions to ask your promotional products supplier
#4 Recycled isn’t always best
Single Use Plastic Cups
It feels good to purchase recycled products, but post-consumer plastic bottles that have been turned into new plastic drinkware, will still eventually end up in landfill, where it will take many years to break down. The same can be said for clothing made from recycled nylon or other materials.
Sometimes it is important to take things a step further and investigate options for products that will break down in months or years rather than decades. If you want advice in this area, reach out to the team at Inck. We can help you explore the best options for sustainable promotional merchandise.
#5 Highlight your efforts
QR Codes are easy to generate and manage, and the possibilities are endless.
Using sustainable promotional products gives you a chance to promote your organisation in more ways than one. Add a note or QR code that links to an explanation of how your goods were sourced or the sustainable materials they are made of and you’ll expand your story.
Read More: 5 Ways to Use QR Codes in your Promotional Merchandise Marketing
#6 Think ‘fair’, not just sustainable
Your promotional products should be good to people as well as the planet. When you’re seeking a sustainable solution, don’t forget to ask about the supply chain and the working conditions of the factory where goods are produced.
Look for items carrying certifications, such as the Fairtrade®, which supports and challenges businesses to purchase from suppliers that are ethical employers and provide a fair work environment.
#7 Investment will pay off
It's a triple win for your brand, client, and the planet!
Finally, remember you may need to increase your investment slightly in order to create sustainable promotional products for your brand. This will provide ROI because you’re establishing yourself as more socially responsible and motivated to do the right thing.
Read more: Are sustainable products worth the extra cost?
As an additional point, remember that less can be more. As the war on waste builds momentum, there is a growing trend towards consuming less but better. This might mean choosing to be more selective when it comes to deciding who to give your merch away to.
Randomly bombarding every conference attendee with a low-cost product can be a false economy. Studies have proven that when something is in limited supply, it can actually increase demand and desirability. What could be more bullish for your brand than a promotional giveaway that becomes highly coveted or collectable?
Promotional products have so much power, especially when they are created and used for the right reasons. If you have a brief to share and are looking for a provider who can help you tick the right sustainability boxes, reach out to Inck today.
