Earth Friendly Promos

With Earth Day coming up on April 22, going green is a natural backdrop for upcoming promotions. According to a CBS News poll conducted in April 2007, 85% of Americans agree that climate change is either having an impact now or will in the future ("Poll: Global Warming Worries Grow"). With the majority of Americans concerned about the environment, green promotions could harvest more green from your marketing efforts. Lucky for us, 2008 brought more Earth friendly promotional products than ever before! Whatever your price point, a viable eco-conscious option is sure to be available.

At less than $1.00, recycled items, like pens, bookmarks, and jar openers, are great for tradeshow giveaways. For women an organic spa tote is an exotic gift. This earthy tote boasts a front straw panel, a coconut button closure, and 100% organic cotton fabric. Try a recycled cardboard journal for students and educators. For gifts in the $15.00 to $20.00 range, update workspaces with bamboo desk accessories. The sustainability of bamboo makes it an eco-conscious favorite. Bamboo restores "itself for use in just five years, and requires far less energy to harvest and produce than most 'lumber' products" (Piper). If you're imprinting apparel, be sure to consider options that contain organic cotton or bamboo fabric.

Items that are reusable instead of disposable also are earth friendly choices. For trade shows, use a non-woven polypropylene tote that can get reused to carry groceries instead sitting in a landfill. Cafés can encourage their customers to forego paper cups by selling imprinted travel mugs and offering a discount when they refill. Reduce paper consumption by using write-on, wipe off boards in place of notepads. These reusable memo boards can be purchased with magnets or adhesive tape, and some styles are made especially for your computer monitor.

Don't forget that trees help fight global warming by removing CO2 and producing oxygen ("Benefits of Trees"). Breathe life into your promotion by distributing live trees or bamboos. With your information proudly displayed on the bag's label, your organization will be seen as green! Trees, however, are not the only plant that will aid the green cause. When we grow vegetables and herbs, we help reduce fuel consumption. On average your produce travels 1,494 miles to get your plate ("Locally Grown Food: Taste Great... And Less Mileage"). For less than $1.00, you can print packets of seeds with your logo, but for a nicer touch, add an imprinted pot and soil. Instead of sending your clients a thank-you card that they'll throw away, mail a card made from plantable seed paper! Other seed paper options include bookmarks, journals, and ornaments.

Are you ready to go green? Contact your promotional product consultant to see more Earth friendly options.

Works cited

"Benefits of Trees." Arbor Day Foundation. 14 March 2008.

Kujac, Piper. "Ask Inhabitat," Inhabitat. 14 March 2008.

"Locally Grown Food: Taste Great... And Less Mileage." Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. News Release. 21 July 2003.

"Poll: Global Warming Worries Grow." CBS News. 26 April 2007.