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Are Green Promotional Items Worth the Extra Effort?

Guest post by: Jill Tooley

Article Overview: Eco-friendly and green promo products continue to grow in popularity even though many businesses are still hesitant to include them in their advertising campaigns. Green promotional products benefit your sales and help the environment, but how can you tell if they're right for you? Learn to see through the "go green" hype and judge eco-friendly promotional products for yourself!

Are Green Promotional Items Worth the Extra Effort?

The twenty-first century has given rise to “green” trends and has inspired countless companies to change their agendas and approaches to be more eco-conscious. Many businesses now make it a habit to purchase energy-saving bulbs or to maintain rigid thermostat temperatures, among other techniques, in an attempt to reduce environmental impact. The ad specialties and promotional products industries have been impacted by the going-green movement as well! Eco-friendly products, recyclable (or recycled) products, and organic products have steadily grown in popularity and in variety as a result of increased environmental concern, and the demand for them is more powerful than ever.

It’s only natural to begin with basics like energy and water conservation if your company aims to go green, but it’s just as simple to make the switch in your promotional advertising strategies. Something as simple as customizing 100% recycled tote bags or biodegradable pens instead of your usual promo items can make a bigger difference than you realize! Think about the giveaway items you use (either on a regular basis or for special occasions) and then think about those same items after they’re discarded by recipients—will they easily break down in landfills or will they stay there forever? If you’re not happy with your answer, then perhaps it’s time to consider eco-friendly and reusable equivalents. In addition, you may be surprised to learn that many environmentally-friendly items are comparably priced to the items you were already using.

So, why are green promotional items worth it?

Besides the obvious benefits to the environment, eco-friendly promotions have perks that you might have overlooked. Health is one of those perks. For example, the promotional products industry has been filling increasing numbers of organic clothing orders because of consumer concerns with harmful dyes and chemicals in inorganic materials. Clothing made with organic materials is up to par with organic agricultural guidelines and does not contain the pesticides and chemicals present in inorganic materials and fibers. This absence of questionable materials tends to benefit people with sensitive skin as well as those who are prone to allergies. In addition to overall health and to environmental impact, eco-friendly and sustainable products also provide branding perks. Environmentally-conscious consumers (who continue to grow in numbers) are more likely to purchase something from you if you’re making an effort to go green, which gives you an edge that competitors may not have.

Use caution, however. Even though many eco-friendly items are correctly labeled as such, you should still take care to personally verify all of the online details and specifications of the promotional items that interest you. If you’re planning to personalize go green promotional products, then consider which specs are the most important; perhaps you’re most concerned with whether or not that sports bottle you like is made from biodegradable materials or if those reusable totes are actually organic. Check item specs and materials for yourself whenever possible to make sure that each is up to your standards, otherwise you could end up with products that don’t meet your expectations. If you are unable to verify product materials for yourself, then don’t hesitate to contact a representative for additional information at the promotional products store (like Quality Logo Products) where you’re placing an order.

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