How to find out if your merchandise is sustainable

Did you know that 7 in 10 Brits don’t believe environmental claims by businesses are credible?

We’re not surprised: in 2021, the UK Government released figures from an International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network investigation that found around 40% of firms' green claims were misleading. 

Making misleading green claims, also known as ‘greenwashing’, allows businesses with unsustainable practices to profit from otherwise eco-conscious consumers. By using vague, unsubstantiated environmental claims, companies can distract customers from how their offering can be harmful to the environment.

So, what does this mean for merchandise?

Choosing sustainable merchandise is no different from choosing any other sustainable product. It’s important to always look for evidence to support a company’s green claims before purchasing, as well as looking for any certification that indicates they’ve met a certain environmental standard.

Here at Fluid, you can be sure we’ll never be guilty of greenwashing: we’re a certified B Corp, meaning we follow a complex evaluation and verification framework that ensures we put people and the planet at the heart of everything we do. 

What’s more, we’re committed to reaching Carbon Net Zero by 2030, which means we’re doing even more to reduce our impact on the environment. 

Since 2021, we’ve partnered with Ecologi, a fellow B Corp, to plant #ATreeWithEveryOrder you place with us - helping to reduce carbon pollution, create employment for local families, and restore wildlife habitats. 

So, when you choose a sustainable product from us, you can be sure it has all of the necessary credentials behind it. 

If you’d like to find out about our sustainable merchandise options, speak to one of our friendly merchandise consultants to find out more.

Why should I choose sustainable merchandise?

Other than the positive environmental impact you’ll have, choosing sustainable merchandise can benefit your business in several ways:  

• Portraying a positive brand image
• Helping with long-term cost savings
• Having a great ROI for your marketing budget

73% of consumers believe businesses have a responsibility to be environmentally responsible, and that number will only continue to grow. 

Sustainable merchandise can help build brand loyalty, showcase your values, and ultimately, prove that you care about your customers and the world around you. 

What’s more, a huge part of sustainable merchandise is how practical, durable and long-lasting the product is. Whilst these items might be more expensive upfront, the cost per impression on these is second to none. 

Investing in items that will be used over and over again helps get your brand seen by more people, and ultimately, helps to draw in more customers. 

What makes merchandise sustainable?

When it comes to choosing a sustainable promotional product, you need to consider three main things:  

• How’s the product made? 
• How will the product be used?
• How will the product be disposed of?

Materials, packaging & carbon footprints
Right from the get-go, you can tell if a promotional product is sustainable or not by the materials it is made from, how it was made, and where. 

One of the big things to look out for is products that are made from either recycled or natural materials. You can determine whether or not a material is sustainable by considering the availability of the materials, the time it takes to replace the material once used, and the harm it has on the planet.  

But - these sustainable materials will have less of a positive impact on the environment if they’re not treated with the utmost care. Make sure your packaging options are as sustainable as the product itself - which means no single-use plastic! Consider recycled or compostable packaging options where you can. 

Functionality & durability
So, you’ve got your promotional product: made out of sustainable materials, in sustainable packaging. What’s next? 

The functionality of your product - how much use you get out of it - is also a massive thing to consider when you’re thinking about sustainability. 

Products that can be used again and again, and used often, are the most sustainable, as they last longer and reduce the need for more products to be made. 

Plus, they can be more cost-effective, too! Reusable merchandise costs less per impression and can help your brand get seen over & over again.

Recycling & disposal
Whilst we’d love to think that merchandise is forever (and some might be!), eventually, there will come a time when you’ll need to dispose of your products. So, when you’re choosing a sustainable promotional product, you need to consider if it can be disposed of sustainably. 

Will the product end up in landfill? Or can it be recycled, composted or reused? 

To make disposal as easy and environmentally friendly as possible, consider whether your product can be put into curbside recycling.

How do I know if my merchandise is sustainable?

As we mentioned earlier: a product isn’t sustainable unless it can be proven. 

Traceability & transparency are a massive part of certifiable sustainability, and any genuinely sustainable product won’t try and hide parts of its supply chain from you.

Here at Fluid, there are several ways in which we promote transparency in our supply chain:

Aware™ Technology 
Traceability has never been easier with Aware™ technology. 

We’ve partnered with Aware™ on some of our products, such as our Iqoniq range, which allows you to track and validate the data linked to each item. From origin to you, you’ll be able to see the product’s entire journey. 

Tony’s Open Chain 
Tony’s Chocolonely is committed to making all chocolate 100% slave-free, and, in 2019, they launched their Open Chain initiative. 

Tony’s Open Chain is committed to ending exploitation in the cocoa industry. Through using 100% traceable cocoa beans, and paying a higher price to ensure farmers get fair wages, Tony’s are joining forces with other chocolate makers in the sector to take responsibility for their supply chains. 

We’re proud to partner with Tony’s Chocolonley to offer branded chocolate bars that make a difference. Browse our range of Tony’s chocolate to get inspired.

Compliance & accreditation 
We’re proud to have Chartered Distributor status from the British Promotional Merchandise Association, proving that we practice and maintain the highest standards of business ethics within the promotional merchandise industry.

We’re also members of Sedex, a not-for-profit membership aiming to improve ethical business practices in global supply chains. Sedex has an electronic system for buyers designed to collect and analyse information about ethical and responsible business practices in our supply chain - meaning we can keep track of supplier performance without the need for time-consuming audits. 

For more information about our accreditation, please visit our compliance and certification page. 

Sustainable merchandise from Fluid Branding

Whether you’re looking for sustainable giveaways or gifts that make a positive impact, we’ve got you covered. 

If you’re looking for sustainable merchandise, and don’t know where to start, our friendly merchandise consultants are here to help. Talk to a member of our team today to find out more.