Return to Blog Posts March 22, 2023

How to understand sustainable branded merchandise

Written by: Aisling Graham

Think about the purpose of the branded items before you go shopping. Does it have re-use value? Is it a useful item that people will retain, or a novelty they won't need? It's not uncommon for promotional items to be purchased for a particular occasion.

Why not look at reusable things that can be collected after each event and used again instead of always choosing the cheapest, easiest choice (which is typically harmful for the environment)? Cups are a perfect illustration of this concept.

 

Single-use plastic cups are no longer provided at several festivals and performance venues. Instead, they may purchase a reusable cup that comes in different designs and colors for an initial deposit and then refill it as many times as they want throughout the event. And guests may retain these as mementoes of their fun experience. Think about how your brand might benefit from being on something that would be used for years as opposed to something that would be used once and thrown away.

What is it made up of, exactly?

Many different types of materials are promoted as eco-friendly. What do they exactly signify?

New materials were utilised in the production of this item, and they, too, may be recycled when the time comes.

eco friendly materials banner2

Recycled means that the resources used to construct it were itself recycled. You should read the fine print since it might just be a percentage. The higher the proportion of it, the better it is for the world. (This proportion is better for the world the higher it is.)

Definition: produced without the use of synthetic fertilisers, herbicides, etc. The term is commonly used to describe ingredients in food and apparel.

bamboo productsIt may be dissolved by organisms in their natural habitats, making it biodegradable. There are some requirements for this to happen, such as the presence of light, water, and oxygen. This waste is often disposed of in landfills, where the lack of favourable circumstances prevents biodegradation. Bring them to a recycling centre or combine them with your food waste for commercial composting.

 

Products that may be composted after being used are called "compostable." Compostable products are created from plant resources. Products created from bioplastics are included in this category. Most biodegradable items, aside from typical plant matter, need industrial composting in order to decompose, hence they should be disposed of in food waste collections. Unless specifically labelled as such, not ideal for home composting. The entire batch can become tainted if regular plastic recycling is combined with compostable (or biodegradable) plastics. Be cautious and make sure to set these apart.

What we mean when we say something is degradable is simply that it can be broken down into smaller parts. Avoid using them if at all possible because of the long-term damage they cause to the environment. Typically, they are made of plastic and persist for hundreds of years before breaking down into microscopic pieces that pollute the environment and kill wildlife.

compostable products

 

pedova3Don't throw it out; it can be used again!

Use items that can be reused or recycled. They will be maintained for much longer, providing a higher ROI and ensuring that your brand remains front of mind for a longer period of time.

Pens, diaries, and notebooks that can be refilled are an excellent choice for maintaining consistent touch with clients. You may ship the initial batch and have some extras on hand so that buyers will need to get in touch with you to get more product when it runs out. The quantity of waste prevented by these goods is astounding!



recyclable - kraft penDead end

Think about the future of your product once it has reached its end of life and is no longer usable. Have you tried composting it? If so, can only commercial compost be used, or is home composting possible? Is there any chance of recycling it? In what ways?

For instance, many plastics may only be recycled once since they break down throughout the process. Metal and glass, however, may be recycled indefinitely. It's important to include "end-of-life" disposal instructions with your items so that customers may recycle or dispose them safely when the time comes.




venus aluminum bottle 120900-0Aluminum

An alternative to plastic, aluminium water bottles are popular among hikers and campers.


Aluminum water bottles are often more affordable. They're more affordable than steel, yet they maintain heat just as well. Lighter than steel water bottles, they are ideal for taking on hikes and other outdoor activities.

Although it has many uses, aluminium does have certain drawbacks.

Aluminum water bottles may undergo reactions when used alone. A specific liner on the interior of the bottle is needed to avoid this reaction.

They can dent more quickly than stainless steel ones if dropped, which is a drawback despite the material's reduced weight.

Because of the insulating lining inside each bottle, most metal containers cannot be put in the dishwasher, which might be a deal breaker for some consumers.

The use of aluminium for water bottles could be less appealing due to these difficulties.

 

Mirage Steel Bottle - stainless bottle_Stainless Steel

Stainless steel has many advantages over the other materials on our list, making it a great choice for high-end water bottles.

Stainless steel water bottles don't need a liner and won't leach chemicals because they're manufactured from food-grade stainless steel.

Like metal bottles, they insulate your drink naturally to maintain the desired temperature for longer.

Stainless steel bottles are a fantastic buy because they're so long-lasting and easy to maintain.

There are certain drawbacks to using stainless steel for a water bottle, despite the fact that it is one of the best options available.

When compared to more common materials like plastic and aluminium, stainless steel tends to be somewhat costly (although you get what you pay for).

Steel bottles, like aluminium ones, aren't generally dishwasher safe and require careful hand cleaning instead.

Arctic Zone

 

Stainless steel water bottles are heavier than aluminium ones, so they might not be the best choice if portability is a priority.

The best branded stainless steel water bottle that we have for you is the Arctic Zone Titan Copper Bottle 1L which is an excellent promotional item. 

 

 

 

 

https://www.trends.nz/item/122313Glass

And last but not the least, we have glass water bottles.

Glass water bottles are often regarded as the "healthiest" option for transporting and consuming liquids.

Glass water bottles are the best since they insulate effectively, don't leak chemicals, and are often suitable for the dishwasher.

It's possible to get a glass water bottle with a modern and chic style. Glass water bottles with your logo printed on them are a great high-quality alternative for staying hydrated.

s status as one of our favourite materials, is its relatively high cost.

This high-quality material has a premium price tag, much like stainless steel does.

When dropped on a hard surface, glass bottles are also more prone to shatter. However, this is easily remedied by investing in a high-quality silicone bottle sleeve.

 

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