5 Eco-Friendly Promotional Products That Make a Difference

15 May 2023

In this blog post, we highlight 5 different eco-friendly promotional products, their environmental benefits and how they are a great way for businesses to show their commitment to sustainability.

Range of eco merchandise
Promoting your business with eco-friendly merchandise may be done for a number of reasons. Because you care about the environment, because you wish to demonstrate to you customers that you care or maybe to the meet the needs of the corporate ESG targets. Some products are environmentally friendly but do not look it – and if your objective is to outwardly demonstrate your environmental credentials then may not be for you. But if your objective is to make a difference then consider these:

 
1. The notepad:
The humble paper pad whether A4 or A5 is an often overlooked eco item. Obviously it can be produced from recycled paper but even if not, we would regard the pad as sustainable. No plastic here and whilst many items purport to be recyclable, paper is the most recycled product in the UK with a ubiquitous collection and recycling system in place. 
The paper industry on its Two Sides web site – (https://www.twosides.info/myths-and-facts) – shows that European paper does not destroy trees and the environment but as a farmed product increases the number of trees. The paper industry uses more renewable energy that almost any other.

Desk pad from recycled paper

2.     The cotton T shirt

Whilst recycled polyester T shirts are popular and because they are recycled they clearly have a place in the sustainable portfolio however they suffer from one major problem. All manmade fibres whether they are recycled or not are one of the major sources of micro plastics found in the ocean. This is caused by the generation of micro plastics when cleaning manmade fibres.

Cotton does not suffer from this issue and as a natural fibre is biodegradable and recyclable. New paragraph

Cotton T shirts

3.     Ocean Bottle

When you buy an Ocean Bottle, you fund the collection of 1000 ocean-bound plastic PET bottles before they enter the ocean. Collectors in coastal communities exchange this plastic for money and get access to social resources such as healthcare, education and financial security. As a winner of design awards, the Ocean Bottle is also one of the most elegant designed bottles on the market. It is possible the most elegantly designed eco merchandise products on the market.


Ocean Bottles

4. Seeds

Seeds are wonderful way to show your eco credentials, encouraging a respect for nature and involvement in growing plants. This points to CO2 reduction and with wild flower seeds can also encourage bees and biodiversity. The eco merchandise industry has come up with a number of inventive ways to give seeds from seed packets to match boxes and seed paper. All of these can be branded with you eco message.New paragraph

Pronotional seed packets

5.     Jute Bag


Jute is a much under-rated material. Naturally very strong and hard wearing and also a natural fibre which is biodegradable. For promotional use the tote bag or shopping bag is the most common use and this allows highlighting of the eco credentials, namely:


·       Jute grows without the need for pesticides and fertilizers (major criticism of cotton)

·       Not only is jute biodegradable it is also recyclable

·       Jute reaches maturity in around 4-6 months, making it an incredibly efficient source of truly sustainable materials

·       It needs only natural rainfall and not expensive water irrigation systems (another criticism of cotton)New paragraph

Promotional jute tote bag

Share this blog:

Reversible Bucket Hat

The Top 5 Branded Merchandise items this Summer 2025

by David Platt • 24 June 2025
The top 5 most popular promotional merchandise for the Summer - let's look at what's hot!
Eco certification

Top 5 Certifications to Look for in Eco-Friendly Promotional Merchandise

21 April 2025
How can you tell which items genuinely meet environmental and ethical standards? How do you know your promotional merchandise is eco? One of the best ways is by looking for trusted third-party certifications. These certifications offer transparency, set rigorous criteria, and help ensure that your branded merchandise aligns with your sustainability values. Here's a quick guide to five of the most respected certifications to look out for when choosing eco-conscious products. 1. FSC – Forest Stewardship Council What it means: The FSC certification ensures that wood, paper, and other forest-based materials come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Why it matters: If you're sourcing promotional items made from wood or paper—like notebooks, packaging, or wooden gifts—FSC certification guarantees that the materials are sustainably harvested. Look for: Products marked with the FSC logo; and check the certificate number on the FSC Certificate Search. Visit FSC official site 2. GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard What it means: GOTS is a globally recognized certification for organic textiles. It ensures that fabrics like cotton are grown without harmful chemicals and processed in socially and environmentally responsible ways. Why it matters: Many promotional products, like tote bags, T-shirts, and towels, are textile-based. GOTS certification means these items are organic, safe, and ethically produced from farm to finish. Look for: A GOTS-certified label and supplier. You can verify through the GOTS Public Database. Visit GOTS official site What it means: Fairtrade certification supports better prices, decent working conditions, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in developing countries. Why it matters: Products like cotton bags, chocolate bars, or coffee mugs with Fairtrade-certified contents ensure ethical treatment of producers and sustainable farming practices. Look for: The blue and green Fairtrade logo on packaging or labels. Visit Fairtrade Foundation (UK) 4. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 What it means: This certification verifies that textiles are tested for harmful substances and are safe for human use. Why it matters: Even "natural" fabrics can be treated with dyes or chemicals. OEKO-TEX® ensures that every component of the product—from threads to prints—is free from harmful levels of over 100 substances. Look for: The STANDARD 100 label and certification number for verification via the OEKO-TEX® Label Check. Visit OEKO-TEX® official site 5. Cradle to Cradle Certified® What it means: Cradle to Cradle certification assesses products for environmental and social performance across five categories: material health, circularity, clean air & climate protection, water & soil stewardship, and social fairness. Why it matters: This is especially valuable for innovative and multi-material products. It focuses on the entire lifecycle, not just sourcing or disposal. Look for: The Cradle to Cradle Certified® mark and specific level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum). Visit Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Why Certifications Matter for Your Brand Choosing certified eco-friendly promotional products isn’t just about ticking a box—it shows your customers, staff, and stakeholders that you care about ethical sourcing, sustainable production, and long-term environmental impact. These certifications offer peace of mind and add real value to your brand story. At Pavilion Earth, we’re proud to work with suppliers who prioritise sustainability and transparency. Want help finding the right certified products for your campaign? Get in touch with us — we’d love to help.
Organic Cotton T shirts

Eco T shirts – Different printing techniques

by David Platt • 18 March 2025
This article explores the pros, cons, quality, cost, and durability of three major printing techniques: DTG, screen printing, and transfer printing.
Show More