For brands, “green” isn’t just a color. It’s a signal to customers that they share similar values and aren’t willing to cut corners at the planet’s expense. That’s why it’s important to pick sustainable swag ideas that minimize environmental impact while keeping a small manufacturing imprint.
The good news is that sustainability doesn’t have to come at the expense of utility, quality, or availability. In fact, there’s a good chance that the popular swag ideas you may already be thinking about already come in environmentally friendly varieties.
So, if you’re gearing up for your next conference or team gifting occasion, start your search with these sustainable promotional products.
What to Look for in Sustainable Swag
Unfortunately, some less reputable companies have tried to capitalize on the green movement by dishonestly positioning products as “eco-friendly” with clever labeling. It’s important to look past the green fonts on labels and do some due diligence when vetting products billed as being sustainable.
Here are a few things to look for so you can both reduce your environmental footprint and build trust with potential customers.
- Genuinely Useful: The first thing to look for really goes for all promotional products, not just sustainable ones: make sure your swag pieces will realistically be useful to people. This keeps your giveaway items from ending up in landfills while keeping your branding top of mind every time they get used.
- Reusable: The next best thing to reducing is reusing, so look for swag items that can be used continuously. Think durable, lasting items that can be donated or handed down later so they stay in use (and out of landfills) for years to come.
- Made From Recycled Materials: Keep the cycle moving by picking items made from recycled materials. Plastic and aluminum products might be your first thought, but paper products and even textiles can be sourced from recycled plastic.
- Uses Sustainably Sourced Components: For items that can’t be reliably made from recycled materials, look for options with components that are sustainably sourced, like locally sourced cotton or ethically harvested bamboo.
- Recyclable: Let’s face it, some products are designed to be discarded. Prioritize products that can be tossed into the recycling bin instead of the scrap bin.
- Replaces Single-Use Items: Foodware and drinkware like reusable water bottles, multi-use straws, and coffee making systems can help people keep single-use plastic out of the environment.
- Certified: To make sure you don’t fall victim to greenwashing, look for certifications and trusted partnerships that help you pass that confidence on to your market. FSC certification, 1% For The Planet, Rainforest Alliance, and Fairtrade are some of the more common ones you can check for.
Sustainable Apparel
Not all t-shirts are created equal. Some are made from organic cotton, others from sustainably sourced fibers, and others from recycled materials. If you’re looking for eco-friendly swag people can wear to show off your company logo, consider these custom articles.
Hanes EcoSmart® T-Shirt
This cotton/poly blend t-shirt is available in a ton of colors, is ready for any custom design, and uses sustainably sourced, American-grown cotton. And with a small percentage of the polyester being made of recycled plastic bottles, this Hanes t-shirt is a more environmentally friendly alternative to the usual print-to-order product.
Hanes EcoSmart® T-Shirt
- +30 colors
A dependable pick for big giveaways and team orders alike. Print with no minimum, so you can start with one shirt and scale to a full conference run.
47 reviews
Jerzees Nublend Pullover Hoodie
Made from sustainably sourced cotton grown in the US, this cotton-poly blend pullover is a natural fit for eco-friendly promotional items. Pick a color that complements your company logo, and add your design to this custom Jerzees sweatshirt.
Jerzees Nublend Pullover Hoodie
- +48 colors
An 8 oz. anti-pill fleece with a double-ply hood and pouch pocket gives your logo a smooth print surface. Print with no minimum, or embroider starting at six.
155 reviews
Nike Snapback Mesh Trucker Cap
Hats are some of the most-worn swag around, and this one keeps sustainability front and center. On this custom Nike hat, the front and mid panels are made from recycled polyester, and the breathable back panels use recycled mesh, so your company logo rides on recycled material wherever it goes.
Nike Snapback Mesh Trucker Cap
- +3 colors
A structured, mid-profile fit and 7-position snapback adjust easily, with the Nike Swoosh on the left side panel. Embroider starting at six hats, or print with no minimum.
4 reviews
Sustainable Drinkware
In theory, reusable custom drinkware is sustainable by design because it reduces the need for single-use plastic (i.e., bottled water). Unfortunately, not all reusable drinkware is manufactured in environmentally friendly ways.
These sustainable swag ideas abide by eco-conscious material sourcing, making them great options for displaying your company logo everywhere, from the office to the gym to the trail.
CamelBak Eddy+ 20 oz Bottle with Tritan™ Renew
CamelBak water bottles are renowned for their eco-conscious construction, ergonomic design, and quality, making them the perfect representation of green-friendly brands. This bottle is made in part from waste plastic, is BPA-free, and features a nifty spill-proof bite valve.
20 oz. CamelBak Eddy+ With Tritan Renew Water Bottle Filtered By LifeStraw
A built-in LifeStraw filter and a one-finger carry handle make it easy to refill and bring along. Your logo prints in full color, starting at six bottles.
Stanley Quencher H2.O FlowState™ Tumbler 40 oz
If you want a sustainable promotional product that’ll really stand out, go with a custom Stanley tumbler. This trendy tumbler offers a massive 40-ounce capacity, convenient sipping straw, and cup holder-friendly profile, and it’s made from recycled stainless steel. With your company logo on the front, it’ll make an impression lasting for years to come.
Stanley Quencher 40 oz. H2.O FlowState Tumbler
- +5 colors
The FlowState lid rotates between a straw opening, a drink opening, and a full cover, and vacuum insulation keeps water ice-cold for hours. Orders start at six. Hand wash only.
1 review
Arlo Ceramic Tumbler with Bamboo Lid 11 oz
For a more outside-the-box sustainable swag idea, consider this ceramic tumbler. Its double-wall construction helps prevent condensation, and the spill-resistant, screw-on lid is made from bamboo. It even arrives in an FSC-certified gift box, so it’s ready to hand out with your logo on display.
11 oz. Arlo Ceramic Tumbler With Bamboo Lid
A matte glazed top and natural baked base give it a handcrafted look, and it holds 11 oz. of coffee or tea. Orders start at 12. Hand wash only.
LifeStraw Sip Stainless Steel Straw
Help keep single-use straws out of landfills with a reusable stainless steel straw that does double duty. The slim LifeStraw Sip has a built-in filter that reduces chlorine, odors, and organic chemicals, so it works at the office, on the trail, or tucked in a bag for when it’s needed.
LifeStraw Sip Stainless Steel Straw
Your logo is laser engraved on slim stainless steel, and LifeStraw says every purchase provides a child with safe drinking water for a year. Orders start at 12.
Design nowSustainable Bags
Want to offer multiple eco-friendly swag options? A sustainable bag is easy to transport to tradeshows, universally useful, and can even be used to carry other custom swag options of your choosing.
Nike Brasilia Large Duffel
For a premium sustainable swag bag, Nike bags are the perfect choice. Made with at least 65% recycled polyester fibers and boasting a robust capacity and Nike’s signature design, this customizable duffel combines utility, style, and eco-friendly construction.
Nike Brasilia Large Duffel
A padded shoulder strap and multiple exterior pockets make it easy to carry to the gym or on a trip. Embroider starting at six bags, or print with no minimum.
Liberty Duffel Bag
Looking for a more budget-friendly custom bag? This duffel offers a large capacity and plenty of space for your custom graphic. Made from 50% recycled material, the Liberty is as effective for transporting personal items to the gym as it is for promoting your brand.
Liberty Duffel Bag
- +11 colors
Two zippered side pockets and a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap keep gear organized. Print with no minimum, or embroider starting at six bags.
4 reviews
Cotopaxi Batac Backpack
If you want a truly unique sustainable swag idea, it doesn’t get more unique than one-of-a-kind. While no two custom Cotopaxi bags are the same, you can rest assured that these lightweight bags with individualized color combinations are made from repurposed materials.
Cotopaxi Batac Backpack
It stows away when you don’t need it and deploys as a daypack for hikes, the gym, or travel. Embroider starting at six, or print with no minimum.
Barton Recycled Sling Backpack
Backpacks make for ideal swag options because they display your company logo wherever their wearers go, and this model has the bonus of eco-friendly construction. Made from recycled 600d polyester, the Barton is a compact bag that offers big-time publicity for your custom design.
Barton Recycled Sling Backpack
A padded single strap, a side mesh bottle pocket, and a front hook-and-loop pocket keep essentials within reach. Orders start at 25.
Sustainable Office Supplies
What’s great about sustainable office supplies is that they’re always in high demand. By replacing the usual pens and paper with more environmentally friendly options, you gain more opportunities to promote your brand while ensuring these essential items are doing less harm to the planet.
Karst Stone Bound Notebook
While a digital notebook might have less environmental impact than a physical one, there’s still plenty of use for physical journals, and some are more sustainable than others. This Karst notebook uses stone paper with Cradle to Cradle Silver certification, so it’s recyclable when it reaches the end of its life.
Karst Stone Bound Notebook
With 72 water-resistant sheets, a hard cover, and flat-lay binding, it holds up in a work bag. Orders start at eight.
8.5" x 11" Remark FSC Mix 1-subject Notebook
With FSC certification, you can have confidence that this notebook includes paper that’s been ethically sourced. Plus, a portion of proceeds from its sales goes to environmentally-minded nonprofits, making it an eco-friendly swag option for displaying your custom logo.
Large Remark FSC Mix 1-subject Notebook
With 240 lined pages and spiral binding, it has room for a full semester or a year of meeting notes. Orders start at 50.
Bamboo Nash Ballpoint Pen
Bamboo is an incredibly sustainable alternative material, making this bamboo ballpoint a much more environmentally friendly swag option than the usual giveaway pen. Plus, its distinctive design even makes it a great way to draw eyes to your company logo.
Bamboo Nash Ballpoint Pen (Black Ink)
A click-action 1.0mm tip writes in German black ink, and chrome accents and a sturdy clip finish the look. Orders start at 100.
5" x 7" FSC Recycled Notebook and Pen Set
Whenever possible, it’s always best to pick products made from recycled materials. This notebook fits the bill, combining an FSC® recycled hardcover with recycled paper and an included pen, making it one of the most eco-conscious journal sets out there.
FSC Recycled Notebook and Pen Set
An elastic closure, pen loop, and exposed stitched spine keep it compact enough for conference bags. Orders start at 50.
Why Choose Sustainable Promotional Products?
If you’re looking for swag ideas, even if your market isn’t particularly sensitive to green initiatives, it’s still worthwhile to prioritize options with minimal impact on the environment. On one hand, picking eco-friendly swag is an easy way to reduce the negative impacts of manufacturing.
On the other hand, it helps position your brand as environmentally conscious, making it more appealing to potential customers who seek out ethically minded companies. It also gives you the opportunity to pursue environmentally conscious messaging that showcases specific green initiatives.
No matter which custom promotional products you choose, remember: what’s good for the planet is also usually what’s good for business.
About the Author
Based in New Mexico, Bryce Emley is a seasoned content writer and expert in the realms of custom apparel and eCommerce. Holding an MFA in Creative Writing, he seamlessly blends his passions, specializing in insightful content that bridges the gap between innovative apparel solutions and digital commerce trends. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bryce is an avid creator, channeling his creativity into poetry, screenplays, and creative nonfiction. In his leisure time, he has a penchant for collecting unique, vintage anime t-shirts, showcasing his love for both rare finds and the artistry of apparel design.