Hooray Icon
Team Building Time Img 12 mins

18 Best Sustainable Swag Gift Ideas for an Eco-Friendly 2023

|
By Preethi Jathanna

Senior Writer for HR and Remote Work

Sustainable Swag

Being conscious of the environment is more than just a state of mind, it has to reflect in the things we use in our day-to-day activities. Minimizing waste and reducing the usage of harmful products can be a good place to start. By sending sustainable swag gifts, you can promote your company’s climate-conscious values and take a step in spreading awareness and cultivating sustainable habits.

By replacing many things in our kitchen, home products, decor, cleaning supplies, and more with eco friendly products, we can impact the people around us - be it clients, employees, or customers - in bigger ways. Here are 15 sustainable swag gift ideas for making the world a healthier and happier place to live in!

Need a bit more inspiration? Check out our further posts on conference swag and company swag ideas before deciding what works best for your business.

1. What is Sustainable Swag?

Sustainable swag involves sending out eco friendly promotional merchandise, gifts, or souvenirs to your consumers. This shows that your company values something bigger than its brand and it is one of the best ways to connect with customers today.

Sending sustainable swag products to customers promotes the idea of being concerned with protecting the planet and covering our present needs without compromising resources for future generations. Some examples of sustainability swag are bamboo cutlery, reusable straws, recycled bags, and more. We have compiled a list of some sustainable swag ideas to help you begin your eco friendly swag ideas journey.

2. Environmentally Friendly Sustainable Swag Gift Ideas

2.1. Stainless Steel Pint Cup

Stainless steel pint cups make for a perfect sustainable swag gift as it eliminates our reliance on single-use throwaway plastic cups or even paper cups, for that matter. It is 100% recyclable and reusable. People can even carry these to coffee shops to avoid using their cups and reuse their own steel cups. As far as sustainable swag ideas go, these steel cups are perfect. It even makes for the perfect sustainable freebies to add to your kit.

The steel cups are made from food-safe grade stainless steel, and are toxic-free and odorless. These cups can be used for hot and cold beverages, and are easy to clean and maintain. They are quite durable, and thus can be used for a long period of time. Get your logo printed on the cup, and get started on this cool eco friendly swag gift!

2.2. Reusable Tote Bags

Reusable tote bags are trendy, useful, and a great way to promote your company’s brand. Tote bags are great sustainable freebies as they are made of natural cotton, are environment-friendly, and are quite economical. They are convenient to carry, durable, and can be used for multiple purposes. You could add a zipper to the tote bag, if needed for extra security.

People can carry their own reusable cloth tote bags to shops or marketplaces and avoid taking plastic bags upon purchase. This will reduce litter and minimize the circulation of plastic and paper bags, making this item one of the best sustainable merchandise ideas.

2.3. Reusable Straws

Reusable straws are slowly becoming a must-have item on the go for people as hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops are eliminating the use of single-use plastic and paper straws making them an essential part of any sustainability swag bag. Metal, silicone, or eco friendly straws such as bamboo straws or organic grass straws are quite useful to enjoy your beverage and it reduces litter.

Some of the reusable straws also come in collapsible or foldable options, so that it is easier for you to carry them on the go. They also come with a set of cleaning brushes and compact carrying cases for easy, long-term maintenance. Consider these for your next lineup of sustainable conference gifts so that your customers never end up stranded in coffee shops without straws again!

2.4. Face Mask

Face masks are an essential item to own in today’s world, thanks to the pandemic. But, if it persists, you might want to invest in a mask that stays for long, as opposed to single-use disposable masks for your sustainable swag ideas. They aren’t really good for the environment as they are made from meltblown plastic which is difficult to recycle and causes contamination.

Cloth-based reusable face masks are easy to clean and maintain. The masks’ cotton blend fabric keeps them breathable in hot weather and is comfortable on the skin. A reusable face mask is certainly a useful eco friendly sustainable swag gift

2.5. Growable Planter Gift Kit

Is there such a thing as too many plants? Having plants in your living room,  workspace, or anywhere where you spend your time gives you a sense of calm. Gifting a growable planter kit will enable people to grow their own plants and learn the art with ease. These make for great eco friendly sustainability swag and make your space quite lively.

The kit would include biodegradable pots for the plants, seeds, gardening tools, and mesh pads. They are great to grow indoor and outdoor plants, vegetables, flowers, herbs, succulents, and more. Customers can learn the planting process with their families and have lots of fun with these sustainable promotional products!

When considering sustainable swag ideas, this is one you should not miss out on. 

2.6. Eco-friendly Facial Tissues

Using eco-friendly facial tissues can eliminate the use of using paper tissues made from Virgin paper - which contains no recycled material. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, nearly 15% of deforestation is caused by tree-cutting to produce paper products, including facial tissues.

Eco-friendly facial tissues are made from natural native bamboo pulp with no additives or bleach. They are recycled, biodegradable, and safe to use. The tissues are soft and gentle on the skin and absorb 30% more water than other unbleached tissues. Sustainable merchandise ideas like these should always be encouraged. Also, they make for great sustainability swag.

2.7. Bamboo Tumbler

Switching to a Bamboo tumbler or flask for your daily beverage can do wonders. Plastic tumblers and bottles are non-biodegradable. Bamboo products are perfectly natural, and do not leave a carbon footprint. They make good eco-friendly promotional products. So, when looking at sustainable swag ideas do consider them as well.

Bamboo tumblers are often used for camping trips and commutes as they are durable, easy to maintain and super lightweight to carry on the go. Most of them are designed to keep your beverage hot or cold for hours. Start being environmentally aware, and include Bamboo tumblers in your sustainable swag gifts!

2.8. Eco-friendly Healthy Wheat Straw Biodegradable Plastic Cup

Cups made from wheat straw plastic are eco-friendly and are 100% biodegradable. Wheat straw is the leftover stalk from the grain harvesting process, and sustainable promotional products like these are the smart eco-friendly alternative to plastic.

The eco-friendly wheat straw cups are natural, durable, degradable, and safe to use. They come in variants such as travel mugs, protein shakers, thermos cups, straw cups, and more. Show off your cool sustainable swag gifts with the wheat straw cups!

2.9. Bamboo Tiffin Box

Bamboo tiffin boxes are made using good quality bamboo materials and can be used to store both hot and cold food. They are made to last up to three years. These eco-friendly bamboo lunch boxes are a good addition as sustainable freebies.

They usually come in a pack with three levels of storage, and they are securely locked with a placeholder that prevents any leakage. The tiffin boxes are quite useful, functional, and elegant. They are great sustainable corporate swag gifts!

2.10. Eco-friendly Reusable Storage Bag

Are you tired of using single-use disposable plastic bags to store your fruits and vegetables? Eco-friendly reusable storage bags made from silicone are a total game-changer. They also make great sustainability swag. These are cold and heat-resistant and can be used safely to store meat and vegetables in the refrigerator, freezer, and microwave safe. Your choice of sustainable company swag not only promotes your brand but also demonstrates your commitment to a greener future.

They have a leak-proof design that keeps your food airtight and fresh for a longer duration. The bags are made from food-grade silicone, thus making it safe to reuse and recycle. They are also easy to clean and maintain, and make life easier! 

2.11. Reusable Paper Towels

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, paper and cardboard waste, including paper towels, make up for the highest amount of waste materials in the US. Go ahead and restock your cabinets with eco-friendly reusable paper towels. It minimizes the need to use paper. It is soft on the skin and light on your pockets, making it a good choice to use.

The reusable paper towels are highly absorbent and machine washable. These are multi-functional- can be used in the kitchen, as tissues, makeup removal, napkins, and more. Consider it as a part of your sustainable freebies next time. Here’s to less paper, and more paperless towels!

2.12. Organic Scented Perfume

Traditional perfumes contain chemical ingredients that help in creating fragrance and extending the longevity of scents. Organic perfumes are made only with pure essential oils to provide fragrance. They do not contain any synthetic fragrances, additives, chemicals, or any other toxins.

Most of the organic perfumes are also free of parabens, phthalates, skin irritants, and are completely vegan and cruelty-free. They come in lovely natural scents that last long such as rose, vanilla, lemon, jasmine, etc. Add it to your list of sustainable freebies for the customers!

2.13. Handmade Beer Mug

It is time to send across some stylish, sustainable swag gifts that your customers will absolutely love. Handmade beer mugs made from natural wood and coated with non-toxic, hazard-free paint for long-term protection.

The mug is eco-friendly, and safe to use, and it contains a stainless steel cup inside the wooden casing to maintain the temperature of cool beer. It is a perfect gift for beer lovers, and also looks quirky on their shelf! Also has all the elements that make it sustainability swag.

2.14. Reusable Beeswax Food Wrap

Beeswax food wraps put an end to the use of single-use plastic food wraps. 

These wraps are made from organic cotton, responsibly sourced beeswax, organic plant oils, and tree resin. The food wrap is quite durable and can be used to store food conveniently, making it an environmentally smart alternative to plastic and paper wraps.

It is a thoughtful gift as it is economical, eco-friendly, and useful to pack food at home and outside. Maintaining the wraps is quite easy. You can simply rinse it with cool water and mild soap, and let it air dry before reusing it. They can be reused for up to a year. 

2.15 Eco-friendly Bamboo Cutlery Travel Set

In the majority of cases, people end up packing plastic cutlery for barbeques, camping trips, picnics, hikes, and more. To reduce the usage of single-use disposable plastic cutlery, a bamboo cutlery travel set is perfect to carry on the go. Each piece in the set is made from 100% high quality, durable bamboo fibre that won’t break easily, and is completely recyclable.


The bamboo cutlery travel kit contains a spoon, fork, blade knife, handcrafted chopsticks, bamboo straw, a cleaning brush, an activated charcoal toothbrush, and a travel pouch. Making for great sustainable freebies. Go green and choose this to give away as sustainable corporate swag gifts!

3. Sustainable Digital Swag Ideas

3.1. Virtual Wellness Sessions

Instead of sending physical items, you can consider gifting your employees access to virtual wellness sessions. These could include online yoga classes, guided meditation sessions, or even nutrition webinars. These sessions promote health and well-being and have a lower environmental footprint since they don't require the production and shipping of physical items. Plus, they can be enjoyed from the comfort of one's own home, making them accessible and convenient for everyone.

3.2. Zoom Backgrounds

You can provide a set of custom-designed or themed virtual backgrounds as digital swag to add a fun and personal touch to online meetings. These backgrounds can reflect your brand or a particular event, making virtual interactions more engaging while reducing the need for physical merchandise.

3.3. E-Books

Instead of printing and shipping physical books, you can give e-books to your employees or clients.  They can be easily downloaded and read on various devices, reducing the consumption of paper and the environmental impact associated with traditional publishing. Additionally, these are also convenient for recipients, as they can carry a library of books in their pocket.

4. FAQs

4.1. What is environmentally friendly swag?

Environmentally friendly swag ideas consist of products that are created using materials like bamboo, wheat, hemp, recycled water bottles, and more in a matter that causes minimum damage to the environment around them. Popular environmentally friendly swag ideas include products like upcycled furniture and countertop composters.

4.2. What are some cheap sustainable freebies to giveaway?

Some cheap sustainable freebies to giveaway include biodegradable cutlery, alternatives to paper, waterless laundry detergent strips, and stainless steel insulated water bottles.

4.3. What are the best environmentally friendly swag ideas?

The best environmentally friendly swag ideas include reusable water bottles, eco-friendly tote bags made from recycled materials, and sustainable bamboo or metal drinking straws. These items not only promote your brand but also contribute to a more sustainable planet.

4.4. Which are the best sustainable swag companies?

Some of the best sustainable swag companies include EcoPromotions, Custom Earth Promos, and Deluxe Eco Promotional Products. These companies prioritize sustainability and offer a range of customizable products to align with eco-conscious branding efforts.

4.5. What are some examples of sustainable conference swag?

Some examples of sustainable conference swag include reusable tote bags made from recycled materials, bamboo or metal reusable straws, eco-friendly notebooks, and sustainable apparel made from organic or recycled fibers.

Virtual St Patricks Cupcake Decorating Class
Virtual St Patricks Cookie Decorating Class
Virtual Easter Egg Hunt
International Womens Day
Corporate Retreat

Subscribe to More Updates with Us

We won't spam you, we promise! We'll only send you the best articles and resources to help with working remotely and virtual team building for your remote and hybrid team.

Subscribe More Updates with Us Img
Subscribe More Updates with Us icon
Join thousands on Subscribers Img

Join thousands on Subscribers on Sorry, i was on Mute!

Get the latest Content and news on remote, Work-from-home trends and remote tech.

Join thousands on Subscribers icon Join thousands on Subscribers icon

Hang on Just a Sec

Download you FREE Copy of our ebook on how to throw an Awsome Virtual Farewell Party!

Virtual Goodbuy Party eBook
Individual eBook Hang on Sec BG
Virtual Goodbuy Party eBook

You Don’t want to Miss this

Download you FREE Copy of our ebook on how to throw an Awsome Virtual Farewell Party!

Leaving Already?

Download The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work to Ace those Virtual Stand-Ups and work deadlines!

Virtual Office Party eBook

The Virtual Office Party Playbook

Download The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work to Ace those Virtual Stand-Ups and work deadlines!

Virtual Office Party eBook
Individual eBook Office Party Playbook Icon Individual eBook Office Party Playbook Icon
Virtual Game Idea eBook

Don’t Go Just Yet

Download The Guide to Throwing your Office an Unforgettable Holiday Party!

eBook Don't Go Yet Icon
Virtual Game Idea eBook

Virtual Game ideas to Try Out your Next Meet!

Is the perfect pit stop for you to explore a dynamic range of virtual games and elevate the fun quotient of your workspace

eBook Virtual Game ideas eBook Virtual Game ideas icon
Ultimate Guide Remote Work eBook

The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work

Download The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work to Ace those Virtual Stand-Ups and work deadlines!

eBook Ultimate Guide Remote Work icon
Best RMS
Best RSS
Best RCP