Promotional products have come a long way from the days of flimsy magnets and foam mouse pads. Eco-friendly merch is now taking centre stage and it’s not hard to understand why. It’s better for the world we live in, it’s better for your brand’s image and it’s not just a feel-good trend––it also makes perfect business sense. Let’s have a look at exactly why eco-friendly merch is a sparkling jewel in your business’ marketing crown.

It’s better for the environment.

Let’s start with the obvious. The key benefits of eco-friendly promotional merch is to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills as well as the size of your carbon footprint. We know that mass manufacturing is an industry with a heavy footprint, especially taking freight travel and manufacturing methods into account. Selecting merch that is sustainably manufactured from recycled materials and/or sustainably freighted cuts down on both landfill waste and carbon emissions. No-brainer, right?

It’s good for your brand reputation.

More and more companies these days are choosing to associate with businesses who share their values, including environmental and ethical responsibility. Your reputation means everything in the business world, and your CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is a vital part of this. Investing in eco-friendly merch is a great way to demonstrate your CSR and show the world just how seriously you’re taking climate change as well as the lengths you’re willing to go to play your part. 

It’s also worth noting that it’s not just other businesses who will take your approach to sustainability into account when considering whether to associate with you––consumers also make choices based on this. A study from APPA (Australasian Promotional Products Association) found that 68% of eco-conscious Aussies are willing to pay more for products from responsible companies who support worthy causes concerned with the environment! It really does pay to save (the environment!).

Reusable merch means more impressions.

Eco-friendly merch is designed to last. This means that not only will you not be contributing to Australia’s waste problem with poor quality pieces that people are likely to ditch, the audience receiving your merch are likely to use your merch again and again. Just imagine the number of impressions you’d receive from a branded quality tote bag or a cap that someone uses for years! 

The quality of the design also factors into the reusability of the merch. If the design is not on-point, it’s unlikely to get used. This is why good merch designs are so imperative to usability. Our design team is dedicated to making merchandise that’s twice as nice for every brief. 

How does Merchgirls do eco-merch?

Sustainable Fabrications 

Merchgirls is proud to offer a product line that is 100% recycled. Our Wonderbag and Eco-tote ranges use a highly-sustainable fabrication called RPET that is made from 100% recycled water bottles. 

We are also constantly on the lookout for materials that enhance the life of merch products. Next on the list, we will be releasing a sustainable headwear line using 100% recycled cotton in early 2023. We have a massive goal to have 25% of our product line made from recycled or repurposed fabrications by 2025. Watch this space. 

Made in Australia

We are also looking to manufacture many more products in Australia. To start: we are currently developing a 10 piece office stationery range – made in Australia from 100% recycled paper that we plan to roll out in late 2022. 

There’s always more to go, but we are proud of what we have achieved to date. 

How else does Merchgirls practise sustainability?

We are sustainably minded in everything we do, so when our Operations Administrator, Sonia, used Carbon Neutral’s online carbon calculator to figure out exactly how much carbon we were emitting, we knew it was time to step up our game.

Over a six month period, Merchgirls emits roughly 70.88 tonnes of carbon. This is largely due to having some of our stock air-freighted. We decided that we didn’t want to simply offset the carbon we emitted to reach carbon neutrality (essentially pulling out as much carbon as we emit). We have committed to offsetting a tonne of carbon each day, which makes Merchgirls carbon positive i.e. we’re pulling more carbon out of the air than we emit. For every tonne of carbon offset we purchase, Carbon Neutral plants 15-17 trees in their WA carbon sink.

So, should you invest in eco-friendly merch?

Fully convinced you need some eco-merch in your life? We know the feeling! Take a look at what’s on offer and we’ll get you sorted out.