Tangerine Tango may be the color of the year for 2012, according to the Pantone Color Institute®, but green is still very much in the spotlight.
“Everybody always asks about eco-friendliness,” says Rosalind Plummer, MAS, vice president of Toronto, Ontario-based supplier Clearmount Plastics Limited (UPIC: CLRMNT). “People are very aware of their need to watch their carbon footprint.”
In Canada, Plummer says many corporations—including some of the larger distributorships—are hiring sustainability officers to seek out products that are environmentally responsible. “You can make small changes and those can have big impacts,” she says.
When pitching eco-friendly items, Herbert Piller, president of Georgetown, Texas-based supplier GroLine (UPIC: GROLINE), suggests highlighting the promotion’s longevity. “A tree seedling, for example, has a 200-year life span,” he says. “Where else can you get a promotional product that lasts 200 years?”
Distributors often ask how they can sell eco-friendly gifts to their clients, and Piller encourages them to emphasize the product sustainability. “It’s also important,” he notes, “to stress when items are produced in America because you’re getting more for your dollar.”
Here’s a selection of eco-friendly goods to get the ball rolling on a green campaign.
Use the Promo Planter, which is made from rice hull and corn husk, to cultivate new relationships. It includes a soil disk and a seed packet available in eight varieties of flowers or herbs. Aakron Rule Corp. UPIC: AAKRON 800-828-1570 www.aakronline.com
Put nature directly in users’ hands with the Twig Pen, which is made from natural wood. It’s great for outdoorsy promotions, or use it to promote a green initiative. Alpi International, Ltd. UPIC: ALPI0002 800-678-ALPI www.alpi.net
The BIC® Ecolutions® Clic Stic® is made from recycled materials, making it an eco-friendly take on the traditional Clic Stic, one of the industry’s most popular retractable pens. BIC Graphic USA UPIC: BIC 888-446-5242 www.bicgraphic.com
Engage younger audiences with a roundup of Children’s Books and Coloring Books that cover topics including conserving energy, recycling and making litter-free lunches. The Book Company UPIC: BOOKCO 800-367-9388 www.thebookco.com
Put an eco-friendly spin on an awards program with the Shadowbox. Its wooden frame is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and it features a mahogany finish and water-soluble stain. A floating metal plate is recyclable. Clearmount Plastics Limited UPIC: CLRMNT 866-481-6230 www.clearmount.com
The Large Buffed Leather Coaster keeps an eco-friendly message front and center on a desktop or table. It’s made from 100-percent post-industrial waste and features a soft, sueded finish. Dart Business Accessories UPIC: DART 800-446-1154 www.senatorpen.com
The polyester used to make the Adult Short Sleeve Tee is recycled from about five plastic bottles. It also includes a tear-away label. Delta Apparel, Inc. UPIC: delta03 800-285-4456 www.deltaapparel.com
Made with up to five percent recycled polyester from plastic bottles, the Hanes® ComfortBlend EcoSmart® T-Shirts are a smart, eco-conscious choice. They’re tag-free and dry faster than 100-percent cotton shirts. Hanes/Champion/Outer Banks UPIC: hanesob 800-685-7557 www.hanesbullseye.com
The Anvil® Recycled® Cotton Blend Tee looks the part of an eco-friendly shirt, offered in earthy colors such as charcoal and sand. It’s pre-shrunk and features a seamless collarette. Heritage Sportswear, Inc. UPIC: HERI0002 800-537-2222 www.heritagesportswear.com
The Tempo 100-Percent Recycled PET Sling is eco-stylish, made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled PET. It features a quick-access slash pocket and side mesh beverage pocket. Leed’s UPIC: LEEDS 800-860-1555 www.leedsworld.com
Keep green tips visible at the home or office with Eco-Friendly Magnets. These non-toxic magnets are made with 50-percent recycled magnetic material. Magna-Tel, Inc. UPIC: MAGNATEL 800-467-2537 www.magna-tel.com
Sorona material in the ScanFast Briefcase 2.0 requires 30-percent less energy to manufacture, reducing greenhouse emissions by 63 percent. Mobile Edge UPIC: Mobile 714-399-1410 www.mobileedge.com
The City Square Jute Tote is big on style but small on environmental impact. It’s laminated and features contrasting accents and handles, and a laminated interior with a zippered pocket. Prime Resources Corp. UPIC: PRIME 800-873-7746 www.primeline.com
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