How to Easily Make Corporate Gifting More Sustainable
Corporate gifts may be exchanged for some of the traditional reasons we associate with giving and receiving such as celebrating a birthday or a holiday.
However, a lot of corporate gifts are cheap items that end up in the landfill.
Let’s discuss how to make it better and more conscious of the planet.
With companies increasingly focusing on company culture and employee care, corporate gifts offer a way of creating an emotional touchpoint between the business and an employee.
The practice also extends to existing or prospective clients and customers.
Giving corporate gifts can be part of sales prospects, conferences, meetings, or events and may strengthen relations between a business and its clients, showing that the former is willing to go the extra mile.
Popular corporate gifts include items such as flash drives, lanyards, pens, and mugs, while non-physical items include gift cards and experiences.
How Corporate Gifts Cause Waste
Low-quality gifts like mass-produced pens and cheap lanyards inevitably end up in landfills contributing to waste problems.
It also means all the resources it took to make the items are wasted.
Plus, let's be honest...people don't want cheap gifts that remind them of work.
Giving gifts that are thoughtful and useful will not only create a better brand image, but are also the more sustainable choice.
Let's explore what to look for in sustainable corporate gifting.
What to Look for in Sustainable Corporate Gifts
There are two types of corporate gifts you can give: physical and non-physical.
Choosing an experience that speaks to a person’s interests will go a long way in showing that you value and pay attention to those you work with.
Other ideas to consider are gift cards, monetary bonuses, or an extended weekend. These are things people actually want and don’t cause waste!
If you choose to give physical items, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure sustainable choices that will also make a better impression.
Get to know your employees and clients. This will help you choose gifts they can use and appreciate.
Choose high quality materials. Look for plastic free, recycled materials, organic cotton.
Choose clean and responsible materials such as sustainably-sourced wood and ingredients such as fair trade coffee.
Food and drinks are a great choice, as they can be consumed immediately and completely – just ensure you keep in mind dietary preferences and don’t overdo it. Giving one person a huge food basket they cannot finish themselves may lead to food waste.
Opt for plant-based materials. This is especially important if your employees or clients are vegan.
Avoid or minimize packaging. Many brands practice this by using packaging materials that are recycled or recyclable; or get creative and make your own packaging: a tote can double as a gift and a gift bag.
Choose local suppliers and try to support small businesses.
If you’re looking for specific corporate gift ideas, check out our Eco-friendly Corporate Gift Guide!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Kelly Clark is a freelance writer, who enjoys writing about a variety of topics including living your best life, personal development, and using cleaner products. When she’s not writing you can find her listening to music, reading, and diving into more sustainable living topics, especially surrounding self care and eco-conscious beauty. Learn more from Kelly on LinkedIn or Instagram.
For more sustainable living tips be sure to follow The Honest Consumer on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, & check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory.