Eco-friendly products – reality or just a buzzword?
The growing share of eco-friendly products among promotional gifts gives clients the chance to make an informed choice. When choosing, price differences are often less important to the client than understanding what actually distinguishes an ordinary product from its eco-friendly alternative.
As the saying goes, never buy a pig in a poke. Simply labelling a product "eco-friendly" is no longer enough – clients want to know what exactly makes it environmentally friendly. Buyers have become increasingly aware, and those who follow the topic closely can tell genuine eco products from greenwashing.
What actually makes eco-friendly products eco?
Anti Saluneem, CEO and owner of Logotrade OÜ, has led the company for two decades and says that the understanding of environmental friendliness – and the opportunities to put it into practice – have indeed changed over time.
"In today's environmentally conscious world, companies are increasingly interested in promoting their brand in a way that shows their commitment to sustainability. Sustainable promotional gifts not only contribute to environmental protection but also create a positive image of the company's social and ecological responsibility," says Saluneem, explaining why expectations for the product range keep rising. In his view, sustainable promotional gifts give companies an opportunity to demonstrate their awareness and commitments. By choosing gifts that are useful, environmentally friendly and innovative, companies can not only improve their brand reputation but also inspire others to follow their example.
Sustainable products should be made from environmentally friendly materials or in a way that allows them to be given a new life in the future, so they do not end up in a landfill indefinitely. It is also worth checking that products are not simply recycled, as is often done with plastic today, but that this has been done safely. It always pays to look into where the products come from.
Living with a minimal footprint is possible
What should you look for when choosing an eco-friendly product? "First and foremost, what the product is made of. And also what happens to it when you no longer need it. It is worth remembering that as consumers we are only an intermediate stage," says Anti Saluneem.
Over the years, products made from natural or recycled materials have become client favourites. "For example, water bottles made from recycled plastic reduce plastic waste and are ideal for sports events or the office. Many fabric bags are made from various recycled materials and are perfect as shopping bags or for trade fairs," lists Saluneem, adding that products that have been given a "new life" are increasingly popular with clients.
Biodegradable products are another popular product group. "Biodegradable products are designed to break down under suitable conditions without leaving residues harmful to the environment. Our product range already covers practically everything here. Biodegradable ballpoint pens, for example, are made from corn starch, wheat fibre or other biodegradable materials," he says, noting that such products can be made from quite special raw materials.
Then there are the classics – wood as a material is here to stay. "Wooden accessories such as clocks, keyrings or gift boxes have found their place as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. There's so much you can make from wood!" says Saluneem. For wooden products, laser engraving is a particularly good way to apply a logo.
Products made from organic cotton or other natural materials are grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilisers that can pollute the environment. "What we wear is a clear sign of what we think and how we relate to the world around us. Besides the slogans on a shirt, it is increasingly important that the garment itself is organic. Organic T-shirts that are comfortable to wear every day have become especially popular," says Saluneem. The same applies to cosmetics such as soaps and creams packed in eco-friendly containers: it is increasingly important that products we apply to our skin are packaged in a way that is kind to health.
Seed and plant gifts that encourage recipients to plant trees or flowers are also growing in popularity – for example, seed packets with a printed logo or plants growing in biodegradable pots. "Giving these gifts not only contributes to a greener planet but also encourages recipients to think about their own impact on the environment," says Saluneem, adding that this product group has its own loyal buyers.
Tech-savvy buyers can also enjoy sustainable technologies behind a number of innovative, eco-friendly products such as LED lamps or water-saving shower heads. Energy-saving gifts such as solar chargers or rechargeable power banks show a commitment to saving energy and using renewable energy sources.
Give a practical product that will be used
What more could you wish for? Whether you are at work or enjoying your free time, there are product ranges for every moment with a smaller-than-average footprint.
"For some time now, you have been able to lay the party table with biodegradable reed or bamboo tableware and drinking straws, use a wooden chopping board instead of a plastic one in the kitchen, choose a notebook with a cork cover instead of plastic, and the range of ballpoint pens now includes pens with an antibacterial coating in many colours. For the beach or a hike in summer, you can take a bottle made of safe food-grade plastic, grab a stainless steel mug, throw a backpack made of recycled material over your shoulder and, to make the experience even better, take along a speaker made of bamboo. The list goes on – if you want to, you can live more sustainably at any moment."
"The main thing that could change in our mindset is the understanding that making more conscious choices doesn't require changing the world – small steps in your own life are enough to start with. So when you next think about what to give your employees or business partners, don't overthink it: make a practical choice that won't gather dust on the corner of a desk or sit in an office drawer," says Anti Saluneem – the most practical products are the right ones.
Logotrade is a member of the international promotional products networks PSI and ASI and of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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