Every year more and more clients ask us about “earth friendly” promotional products. The collection of imprintable merchandise that is made (partially or wholly) from recycled, reusable, waste, organic or non-pollutant materials is growing, which makes it easy to promote your organization while being kind to the environment. Below are a few ideas to encourage you to think green…

Wearing Only The Best (for the Planet)
Everyone loves a soft cotton shirt. But growing conventional cotton consumes 10% of the world’s pesticides (2 billion pounds!), 25% of the world’s insecticides, requires hazardous chemicals that harm people and wildlife, and takes 106,000 cubic feet of water per acre to grow. Ouch!

The good news: today you can purchase logoed T-shirts made from Bamboo, Hemp and Organic Cotton. Here’s why this option has gained popularity among buyers:

• Organic cotton is grown without pesticides and insecticides and is usually rain-fed, not irrigated, so it uses a lot less water.
• Bamboo generates more oxygen than trees; it’s softer than cotton; wicks moisture; and is naturally antimicrobial so it doesn’t retain odors. It is also the fastest-growing plant on the planet and can grow up to 3 feet in one day.
• Hemp, like bamboo, is fast-growing; grows from rain water; its fibers are more durable than cotton; it offers wick moisture; and it’s antimicrobial. (By the way, this hemp is not related to its illegal cousin. It barely contains THC, the substance that gets you, umm, high.)

Also ask us about Ingeo™, the world’s first man-made fiber made from corn. Because Ingeo™ is made from a 100% annually renewable resource, it doesn’t rely on the earth’s limited supply of fossil fuels. It’s grown in the U.S.A. and uses approximately 68% less water and energy than synthetic or many natural fabrics. A real winner!

Gifts That Give More Than They Take
Let’s face it: some promotional products are better received than others. A gift that says “we care about you and the planet” is practically guaranteed to be appreciated.

A few of our favorite good-for-the-environment gifts are:

• Bags That Bloom is a recyclable garden bag and mailing piece all in one. It’s U.S.P.S.-approved; contains soil mix, nutrients and the seeds of your choice; and weighs less than two ounces. Recipients just open the bag, add water and sunlight, and within 8-10 days a garden will bloom. (Ask me for ideas… e.g., select the golf grass seed with a message about an upcoming golf outing, or the money plant with copy about watching your savings grow. We can also heat-seal the bags for extra durability.)
• Bookmarks that Bloom are two gifts in one: a full-color, long-lasting bookmark, plus a beautiful flower garden! The bottom portion of the bookmark contains EasyGro seeds, adhered with a patented glue that dissolves when wet, disbursing the seeds in the ground, ready for germination and blooming.
• Earth Series Journals are manufactured using natural materials and teach recipients about energy conservation and recycling. The 18-page Energy Guide offers tips, conservation checklists, tax advantages and more. The 16-page Recycling Guide features recycling facts, terminology, and suggestions for recycling at home or at work.
• Spectrum Bags are manufactured from 25% post-consumer recycled materials. They’re durable and available in 26 yummy colors, from bubble gum and marigold to periwinkle and slate. A smart, memorable and useful way to present sales literature.

I hope this issue of our newsletter is of interest to you. As always, please send your feedback, and if you need help with a promotional activity or event, call me or send me an e-mail.