Plastic-related statistics are worrisome.
The world produces 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, half of which is for single-use items.
Of the seven billion tonnes of plastic waste generated globally so far, less than 10 per cent has been recycled.
Plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals every year due to animals ingesting plastic or chocking on it.
Plastic is found in a variety of products that we are often not aware of, such as metal cans lining, personal care products, baby wipes, synthetic fabrics, glitter, wrapping paper, glues, cigarette filters, and many others. These products release microplastic particles in the environment, affecting animal and human health.
While plastic has enabled humans to make an outstanding progress and attain a lifestyle that is safer and more comfortable than ever before, it is becoming more obvious that this amazing material should be used more sparingly.
When looking for a product, it is essential to consider all its potential negative effects. Many people are constantly stressing the need to only purchase eco-friendly items, but what are these products and why are they the better alternative? In this article we will present you several promotional products that are eco-friendly and allow you to promote your business without causing harm to the environment.
What Does “Eco-Friendly” Mean?
This term simply describes a product that is not harmful to the environment. Synonyms for this concept are “green”, “environmentally friendly” and “earth-friendly”.
“Sustainable”, another related term, refers to products that are obtained without depleting natural resources while also contributing to a prospering economy for future generations. Sustainable products are based on three pillars: people, profit, and planet. For a business, this means it should create wealth for its owners and employees with a limited environmental impact while also obtaining a profit that makes the company successful on the long term.
How to Identify If a Product Is Eco-Friendly
It’s not always easy to tell if a product is environmentally friendly. Even if a product is labelled as “green”, this does not necessarily mean it is truly inoffensive. Some businesses practice the so-called “green-washing”, which involves claiming a product is eco-friendly without really being so. In order to identify if a product is eco-friendly, you must evaluate the item’s entire life cycle and the influence of each phase on the environment. This entails considering the following points:
Materials
Is the material the product is made from biodegradable or recyclable? Does it contain toxic substances?
Disposal
Can you recycle the product? Does it pollute the environment when discarded?
Energy content
How much energy was used to manufacture the product and how was that energy obtained?
Package
Does the product contain excess packaging that needs to be disposed of?
Durability
For how long will the product last before having to be replaced?
Delivery
How much energy was used to transport the product to the consumer? How was that energy obtained?
Finding a product that is eco-friendly from all these perspectives is very difficult. For instance, a promotional product could be manufactured from recyclable or biodegradable materials, but may come with unnecessary packaging or its shipping could have a high environmental impact. Businesses should ideally source products and branded merchandise that have the lowest possible impact on the environment and deliver the most return on investment and value for the recipients. Also, it’s important to choose options that include environmentally friendly packaging materials, such as recycled paper, plant starch, wood, palm leaf, non-toxic foam, paper peanuts, mushroom packaging, etc.
Here are several useful eco-friendly plastic-alternative products:
1. Eco-Friendly Accessories
Small and inconspicuous, accessories that we use for different activities every day end up in landfills, taking hundreds of years to break down. VMA Promo Products offers a series of accessories made from biodegradable, recycled, or recyclable materials, perfect for promoting your business as being green and protecting the environment at the same time:
- Lynx wheat fibre comb;
- Recycled PET microfibre lens cloth;
- Vista glasses service kit with microfibre lens;
- PU leather coaster set;
- Chateau wine taster glass;
- Columbia travel mug;
- Inca notebook with pen;
- Magnetic wooden badge;
- Pen and keyring gift set;
- Classic bottle opener;
- Natura stationery set;
- Prawn bottle opener;
- 3D airplane keyrings;
- Eco-friendly webcam cover packaging;
- Camri full colour notebook – large.
- Eco-Friendly Bags
Plastic bags are extremely harmful. They are difficult and costly to recycle and most end up on landfill sites where they take around 300 years to photodegrade. They further release small plastic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. Eventually, these particles end up in our bodies as we feed on those animals whose organisms are contaminated with microplastics.
You can limit your usage of plastic bags by using eco-friendly bags made from textile fibres or from paper. Even a bag made from non-woven PET material that you use multiple times is better for the environment than a single-use disposable plastic bag. VMA Promo eco-friendly bags are available in multiple colours and sizes, are affordable, and can be imprinted with your logo.
2. Eco-Friendly Drinkware
Disposable paper cups are unfortunately not plastic-free. In order to maintain their shape and hold liquids, they have a plastic lining made from polyethylene which breaks down when exposed to hot liquids and releases nanoparticles of microplastics into your beverage. These particles are small enough to enter your bloodstream and accumulate into your tissues, with consequences still not fully understood.
Fortunately, you can still enjoy your coffee on the go by switching to reusable silicone, glass, ceramic, stainless steel bottles and cups. These options are healthier as they don’t release microplastics into your beverages and can be recycled or cause significantly less pollution than plastic or plastic lining paper cups.
3. Eco-Friendly Electronics
Our range of eco-friendly electronics includes bamboo USB hubs, wireless power banks, and wireless chargers. Inductive, wireless charge pads are compatible with phones that offer wireless charging. These products are made from 50% wheat fibre, which is a renewable and biodegradable material.
Connect the charging pad to power using the micro-USB cable provided, then place your phone on the charging pad to charge. Instructions are included. The product includes inductive charging indicator. Printed using renewable energy.
4. Eco-Friendly Kitchenware
Businesses often offer their customers and partners kitchenware as corporate gifts because they want their brand to be associated with eating and drinking, which are vital and pleasant activities. What you also need to know is that single-use plastic kitchenware is slowly coming out of fashion or is being discontinued in various places around the world due to its negative impact on the environment. Greener options from VMA Promo Products include:
- Delish eco cutlery set;
- Delish eco cutlery set in Calico Pouch;
- Stay Eco lunch box;
- Classic ceramic coffee cup gift set;
- Coventry cheese board;
- Kensington cheese board;
- Fancy cheese knives gift set.
Eco-friendly kitchenware is usually made from natural materials such as ceramic, glass, wood, and metal.
5. Eco-Friendly Notebooks
Our notebooks are made from natural materials, such as paper, obviously, and bamboo, cork or cardboard, with no plastic included. The most affordable option is the Beta Note Wallet, a pocket size multi-purpose notebook with an unbleached natural cardboard cover and a secure domed closure. The notebook has a 50-leaf note pad, a 25-leaf pad of adhesive notes, five different coloured pads of adhesive flags, and a Kraft Pen with a recycled cardboard barrel that slips neatly into the spine.
If you want to impress your clients and partners, opt for the Amazon Bamboo Notebook, an eco-friendly bamboo cover notebook with 70 leaves and 140 spiral bound recycled lined pages (70GSM). The product includes bamboo/silver push button ballpoint pen and elastic closure. It is made from bamboo, one of the world’s fastest growing plants and has a recycled symbol printed on each page. The natural wood grain finish ensures no two items are ever the same! Eco credentials: renewable, sustainable, printed using renewable energy.
6. Eco-Friendly Pens
Pens from VMA Promo Products are eco-friendly and suitable for all budgets. The most affordable item is the Matador Eco Pen, priced from $0,35. This is a cardboard barrel ballpoint pen with a 50/50 blend of wheat fibre and polypropylene button, clip and tip. It comes with optional black suede velvet pouch. Writing distance: 2.1 kilometres. Eco credentials: biodegradable, recyclable, sustainable, wheat fibre – by product, printed using renewable energy.
For a more impressive corporate gift, choose the Natura Stationery Set, a unique rectangular pencil case which is manufactured from a 50/50 blend of natural wheat straw fibre and BPA-free polypropylene. Included inside the pencil case is a 15-cm wooden ruler with measurements in inches and centimetres, two wooden HB pencils, a wooden pencil sharpener, and a retractable ballpoint pen with a cardboard barrel.
By choosing eco-friendly products from VMA Promo Products you will be able to provide a corporate gift that will be used for a long time, ensure prolonged exposure to your brand message, and reduce environmental impact.
