The Promo Column Better for the planet
One of the often stated strong points about merchandise is its longevity and permanence. In an age where transitory media messages flash by us at a rate of thousands a day – or don’t, if we choose to block them in some way – there is a lot to be said for an item that claims space on your desk, in your bag, or in your home. Stuart Derrick, promotional products commentator, reports.
Every time we put it to use, we get a reminder of the company or brand that supplied it to us resulting in a warm glow of appreciation. Itʼs one of the main reasons that itʼs never a good idea to scrimp on quality when buying merchandise. Do you want your brand to be associated with failing to deliver – the pen that splodged a pristine document; the T shirt that went XXL after its first wash, or the mug whose handle dropped off? Quality merchandise is a must, so I was delighted to hear about a USB stick that was still in great working order despite a rather unusual journey. The item in question was retrieved by aghast scientists from a piece of defrosted leopard seal poo, where it had been hidden for about a year, it is reckoned. I know, I know! My first thought probably wouldnʼt have been
T
ʻGee, I wonder if this still works!ʼ but thankfully there are more inquisitive folks out there on the planet. And guess what, it did still work and featured video of seals – possibly including the one that gobbled up the gadget. Isnʼt technology amazing?
Indestructible stuff
Of course, the slightly bigger question that the USB story poses is what happens to all this long-lasting, seemingly indestructible stuff that is being produced? It is a question that many clients and end users want an answer to, and with companies such as M&S, McDonaldʼs, Sky and Evian looking to a plastic free future, it is one that merchandise companies are having to find answers to, and fast.
The good news, for both the future of the industry, and the planet, is that manufacturers are not sleeping on the job. Sustainable alternatives to merchandise mainstays have been around for a while, but demand is now catching up, with businesses eager to invest in products that donʼt cost the earth.
Pen company Senator has long been an advocate of sustainable practices, even going so far as to use green electricity in its manufacture. Its pens are increasingly green as well, with the Nature Plus pen a biodegradable writing instrument made from sugar cane. Not only is this pretty green, but sugar cane is also a crop that uses less water than some other
hat mug, pen, mouse mat or notepad can stick around a long time, and not only that, but itʼs largely functional stuff.
plants that can be used in plastic production, so itʼs even more environmentally sensitive. The company also recently won the PSI award for the Sustainable Product of the Year for its Skeye Bio pen and Senator aims to introduce bio products in all of its pen ranges in future.
Merchandise companies are thinking harder about the products that they bring to market. Supplier, Xindao, has had an approach that considers sustainability and CSR for more than 10 years. The latest development of this approach saw the company rated to the Gold level by EcoVadis, a CSR analysis company. Xindao belongs to just 5% of the companies within the designated assessment category to achieve this level. In terms of products, the company has a range of options and an approach that sees it produce items that can be recycled right back to individual parts, such as the Boom Eco mug. This metal and plastic drinks mug is described as ʻdesigned for disassemblyʼ so that each part can be reused. How cool is that?
Raising awareness Elsewhere, bag company, Bagco has introduced the Newchurch, which it claims is the first fully recycled tote bag. It is made from 75% off cuts and cotton waste with recycled plastic bottles to enhance the fabricʼs structure. Not only that, but the company donates 5% of the cost of each of the bags sold to support charity Plastic Oceans, which raises awareness on plastic pollution. Like others in the merchandise sector, Bagco is upping the ante on sustainability as clients are demanding ever more transparency on why the products they buy are better for the planet. No more
Xindao’s Boom Eco mug The Skeye Bio from Senator Pens
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
The Nature Plus from Senator Pens
greenwash, which has to be a good thing. Finally, something a bit less serious this month. One of the most fun products I have seen recently is British Made Promotional Merchandiseʼs shaped cushions. The Blackburn-based business can produce cushions to most shapes and its latest one is proving a big hit with sports clubs as itʼs shaped like a football shirt. There is no minimum order quantity, but why would you want to keep them to yourself? If the shirt fits, share it.
British Made Promotional Merchandise’s shaped cushions
March 2019 | 67 |
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