Eco-friendly products that leave a lasting impression

Mar. 11, 2025

2 Minutes

More and more, people are thinking about how their daily habits affect the environment – and that attention to environmental protection doesn’t stop at their own consumption. In fact, 60 percent of consumers have reported they’re likely to switch to a brand that's more environmentally friendly than their current brand.

The value of eco-friendly promotional products

One way to show your commitment to environmentalism is through promotional products. Investing in eco-friendly products as promotional items both gives consumers something they want and helps portray your brand as environmentally friendly – and that brand perception can really matter. According to recent studies, 60 percent of millennials prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions, while 80 percent of Gen Zers are more likely to buy from brands with strong sustainability practices.

Eco-friendly promotional products also benefit your business because they last longer. Why hand out short-term items like candy or cards when you can provide something useful, like a long-lasting coffee cup or water bottle, a tote bag or a notebook made of recycled paper? These items will not only leave a positive impression on your customers, they will stick around for years to come.

Learn more about sustainability at Deluxe

Eco-friendly product facts

Choosing the right promotional items can win you more than just bragging rights. According to a study by PPAI, eight in 10 consumers noted their impression of a brand changed for the better as a direct result of receiving a promotional product from said brand.

According to the Advertising Specialty Institute, most people keep promotional products for an average of a year. When they are finished, 55 percent give their branded products away.

Reusable drinkware

Water bottles: The average American uses about 156 disposable water bottles a year - which means you can save 156 plastic bottles if you opt for a reusable water bottle, like glass or stainless steel. You can expect stainless steel water bottles to last anywhere from three years to 10-12 years (if well taken care of) before needing to be replaced.

Coffee tumblers: 120 billion disposable cups are used by Americans each year.

Reusable grocery bags

A study found that about 40 percent of shoppers forget to bring their reusable bags and end up using plastic bags.
Plastic bags make up more than 10 percent of washed-up debris that pollutes the U.S. coastline.
The average American uses between 350 and 500 plastic shopping bags per year.
Reusable bags help to conserve energy, reduce storm water pollution, protect wildlife, prevent storm drain blockages and keep parks, cities and oceans clean.