Creating Eco-Friendly Promotions

a constant feed of batteries. "This turns out to be great for the environment, in that used batteries are not being poured into landfills, and more cost-effective in the long run."

In some instances, paying a premium price on eco-friendly options is still almost inevitable. Often, the production methods simply cost more, such as with organic cotton and some recycling methods. "The technology involved in converting consumer waste into material is more expensive," Hoylman says. To combat this, suppliers may offer product options with varying degrees of recycled content. Generally, a product made from a higher percentage of recycled materials will be more expensive.

Other options to help organizations show their environmental side without spending more are those items that have been in existence for some time and are suddenly being slapped with an environmentally friendly label. "As eco-friendly products have become more popular, products and materials that have always been environmentally responsible now have call-outs explaining their properties," Hoylman acknowledges.

Tote bags, for example, are an old promo fave, but now, as people use them in place of disposable grocery bags, they are being touted as green items. "Read all the info," suggests Jim Soucie, president of Care Co. Int’l. Inc. in Omaha, Neb. "Cities, states and countries are banning plastic bags all the time. It’s sweeping the country. Why? It’s something that the general public can do to help the environment and help keep their neighborhoods clean."

Sonny DeShong, president of Landes Inc. in Houston, agrees, citing reusable grocery bags — which are often biodegradable — as "a great tool for alleviating plastic bag waste in landfills and saving trees from being harmed for paper bag production."

Just about all promotional products could be considered eco-friendly because they’re all developed to be reused, Hoylman says. "The products that are a direct substitute to disposable products can be considered more eco-friendly than their counterparts," she reminds.

That was the main objective when Ecomugs.com, based in Ben Lomond, Calif., was started. "Our company began as cities across the country started banning Styrofoam," reports president Kirk Meyer. "We need to just stop creating so much garbage. Using Ecomugs and other reusable earth-friendly products helps the planet. The truth is that we are just throwing so much away. It is out of control."

If your clients are ready to do their part, you’ve got a growing number of products to suggest to them. The green movement is red hot right now, and organizations may be looking for ways to show that they’re hip and conscientious. "When an end user chooses an eco-friendly product, they are telling their clients that they care about the future of our environment and they are making a conscious choice to do their part," Rothacker says.

It doesn’t have to be hard to broach the topic, either. "The pitch is simple," Padian says. "By purchasing green items, you’re doing the right thing. Corporate responsibility is a huge focus point, and it’s not just lip service."