What Are Sustainable Promotional Products Doing Right in 2025?
Sustainable promotional products are helping brands stay relevant and responsible. In 2025, it’s not enough for promotional merchandise to just look good. It needs to do good, too. That’s why more marketing and events teams are shifting to eco-friendly products that are useful, durable, and kinder to the planet.
Why Are More Marketing Teams Going Sustainable?
Because customers expect it, and so do internal teams. In fact, 46% of people say they feel more positively about a brand that gives out sustainable merchandise. And when the items are high quality, they tend to stick around longer, too, which means more impressions for your brand.
|
Product Type |
Average Use Life |
Sustainability Benefit |
|
Recycled Tote Bags |
12+ months |
Replaces hundreds of plastic bags |
|
Bamboo Pens |
8–10 months |
Biodegradable and refillable |
|
RPET Water Bottles |
9–12 months |
Made from recycled PET plastics |
|
Seed Paper Coasters |
One-time use |
Fully compostable + interactive |
*Source: ASI Global Ad Impressions Study 2024
What Makes These Products ‘Custom’ and Not Just Generic?
It’s the small details. Sustainable doesn’t mean stock-standard anymore. You can print with water-based inks, go for laser engraving, or add QR codes that lead to interactive brand experiences. Some companies even use branded tags made from upcycled materials.
What’s Gaining Ground in 2025?
- Products made from upcycled fabrics and off-cut materials
- Packaging that’s not just recyclable, but compostable or reusable
- Products designed to tell a story: Where it came from, who made it, and why it matters
In Australia, we’ve already seen a 27% lift in demand for compostable packaging since late 2023. That is why we can say that it has become the standard, not just a trend.
Which Teams Are Using Eco Merch the Smart Way?
These are the teams we see leading the way:
- Tech brands swapping plastic USBs for recycled e-waste drives
- HR teams choosing bamboo pen + notebook sets for onboarding kits
- Universities going plastic-free for orientation giveaways
- Finance firms using FSC-certified desk sets for hybrid work setups
It’s less about showing off and more about showing that your brand gets it.
Ready to plan your 2025 eco-friendly merch?
OTT Promotions can help you source and customise the right sustainable products for your audience without losing impact, quality, or turnaround speed.
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