Proudly voted Promotional Merchandise Distributor of the Year, December 2024 (Sourcing City Awards).

Go Green with Over 600 Eco-Friendly Merchandise Ideas

With climate change and environmental responsibility increasingly hot topics around the UK - and the globe as a whole, for that matter - it makes total sense for your business to demonstrate it takes its corporate social responsibility (CSR) seriously. Enter: our range of eco-friendly merchandise.

Whether you're after items that have been sustainably sourced and made from recycled materials or products that can be recycled or naturally biodegrade after use, we've got it all!


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Why UK Businesses Should Be More Eco-Friendly

Arguably one of the most important reasons why organisations should make a conscious effort to be more eco-friendly is because it helps reduce the impact on the environment and contributes towards preserving natural resources. Promoting your organisations eco-credentials could attract me customers; firstly because it could set you apart from your competitors, and secondly because (according to an independent study commissioned by SmartestEnergy) 81% of consumers prefer to buy from sustainable sellers.

The benefits from turning your business green are clear, but here are some facts about how our environment is suffering to take into consideration:

  • Just 9% of all plastic produced is recycled and only 12% is incinerated. This means the remaining percentage of plastic has polluted the environment or can be found in landfills.
  • Every minute of the day a truckload of plastic is dumped into our oceans; 32% of all plastic packaging finds its way to the ocean every year.
  • A recent report has predicted that there could be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050.
  • The planet's average surface temperature has risen approximately 1.18 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, with 2016 and 2020 tied for the warmest years on record.
  • 91% of the world's population are breathing in polluted air every single day.

Easy Eco Changes Your Business Can Make

Small changes to the way your workplace runs can add up - whether you opt for sustainably sourced office equipment or get on top of recycling, here are some easy changes your UK business can make to be more eco-minded:

  • Reuse, reduce, recycle: encourage your employees to recycle and reuse, for example, gifting your employees with reusable coffee cups reduces the amount of single-use takeaway cups reaching landfills.
  • Swap your single-use plastic carriers for reusable shopping bags - did you know that every single minute more than one million plastic bags end up in the bin?
  • Introduce a walk and cycle to work initiative: 12% of the UK's emissions come from road transport and reducing the reliance on our cars can play an important role in meeting emissions targets.
  • Reduce unnecessary travel - if the pandemic has taught as anything, it's that almost anything can be done virtually! 

With this in mind, let's take a look at some of the best eco-friendly promotional merchandise your organisation can invest in to become more eco-minded.

Biodegradable and Compostable Branded Items

What's the difference between biodegradable and compostable? Well, compostable products are all biodegradable, but they are specifically intended for a composting environment. In the right setting, these items break down even more quickly than biodegradable products - typically within 90 days - and they leave behind a nutrient-rich organic material called humus. 

When items biodegrade or compost, they decompose naturally in a way that is not harmful to the environment. Biodegradable plastics also produce significantly fewer carbon emissions during production.

Read on to discover some of the compostable and biodegradable promotional products we have available...

1. Recycled Biodegradable Plastic Keyrings

These branded keyrings are made from 100% recycled plastic from post-consumer plastic waste and once they have come to the end of their life, they will biodegrade in home composts, water and landfill. 

2. Double Walled Compostable Paper Cups

Offering all the convenience and budget-friendly attributes of standard disposable cups but with a greatly reduced impact on the environment are these printed compostable paper cups. Each branded paper cup is made from sustainably sourced paper board and is lined with a 100% sustainable and renewable plant-based PLA.

3. Recycled Biodegradable Plastic Webcam Covers

These novelty webcam covers are one of a kind; made from recycled plastic material that is also fully recyclable and compostable! Handy for all computer users - whether at home or in the office - these eco-friendly webcam covers can biodegrade in home composts, water and landfills once they have fulfilled their purpose.

4. Eco Seed Paper Wristbands

These aren't your regular wristbands - oh no - made from recycled paper and embedded with seeds, they're the perfect eco-friendly alternative to silicone wristbands. They're also printed with eco-friendly ink made from soy and vegetable oil, too!

Our range of biodegradable products and compostable merchandise doesn't end there, browse the full range and order yours today.

Recycled and Recyclable Promotional Products

With nine out of ten UK households considering recycling an established norm, opting for merchandise that can be recycled or has been made with recycled materials is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! 

In fact, consumers want products made from recycled materials. Don't just take our word for it, a new survey commissioned by Core Hydration reveals that many consumers would be willing to pay a surcharge for products that are made from recycled materials.

That's why we're highlighting a few of our customers' favourite recycled and recyclable branded items.

1. Recycled Cotton Tote Bags

These promotional tote bags are made from 100% recycled cotton, a new concept that has grown with manufacturers, brands and retailers. Diverting products from landfills and partially offsetting fuel emissions by recycling existing materials for a more environmentally friendly product.

2. Aluminium Bottle Opener Keyrings

Compact, practical and durable, these branded bottle opener keyrings make great giveaways, as well as brilliant items to have on-hand for your bar staff. Once they've come to the end of their use, they can be recycled and made into something new.

3. Recycled Plastic Bottle Pens

You guessed it - these promotional pens are made from plastic bottles! Manufactured from 83% recycled bottles, whilst the barrel and cap are made from 100% post-consumer PET recycled plastic, please note that neither the refill nor the silicone ball inside the cap is made from recycled materials.

4. Switch Eco Lunch Boxes

These simple yet spacious branded boxes are perfect for almost any demographic; after all, we all need lunch whilst on the go! Made with organic plastic that is BPA-free and includes no plasticisers, these promotional eco lunch boxes are 100% recyclable.

With 180 recycled printed products and over 100 recyclable merchandise available, we've got the perfect item to showcase your business' eco-credentials.

Feeling inspired? Browse the full range (600+ items!) of eco-friendly promotional products and get yours today. Need help finding a specific item? Simply contact a member of our friendly and experienced Sales team on 01376 509092 or email info@totalmerchandise.co.uk today. Main image via Pexels.

Written by

Adam Carter | Head of Products

Adam has been leading the Product team for over 18 years, during which time he's built up an enviable reputation as one of the industry's most trusted authorities on promotional merchandise. As well as supplier relations, product sourcing and pricing, Adam is also responsible for ensuring our promotional merchandise is presented on the website in the most effective manner. His expertise makes him the go-to person on the team for spotting merchandise trends and he's highly experienced in identifying the best branded products to meet our customers' needs. When he's not working, Adam enjoys travel, electronic music and all forms of cinema.

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