5 Popular Recycling Trends for Corporate Gifting

Recycling Practices for Corporate Gifts

In the past, companies’ choices for corporate gifts were based on a few simple factors. Businesses would choose their merch based on the appeal of the products, the brand awareness potential, and the budget. These days, however, corporate responsibility also plays a huge role. In fact, one of the top custom gifting trends for 2024 is a focus on environmental sustainability.

When you give sustainable logo-branded gifts, you demonstrate to your employees, colleagues, customers, and clients that your company takes its environmental impact seriously. This helps the reputation of your business, and it benefits your gift recipients and the planet. 

Giving recycled and recyclable products is more than simply following the latest trends in corporate gifting; it is an investment in your long-term commitment to being a conscientious and responsible business.

In this article, we’ll explore the 5 most popular recycling trends for corporate gifting. Plus, we’ll share some of the sustainable products that Merchology can customize with your company logo.

1. Recycled and Recyclable Packaging

Containers and packaging are major contributors to landfill waste, according to the EPA. When you purchase products that use recycled/recyclable packaging, you help reduce the use of raw materials, energy from manufacturing, and greenhouse emissions.

At Merchology, we have joined the fight against packaging waste. Our poly mailers (packages made of polyethylene, a type of plastic) and shipping boxes are made from 100% recycled materials.

2. Corporate Gifts Made from Recycled Plastic 

When you choose products made from recycled plastic, you help reduce the use of fossil fuels, natural resources, and energy and eliminate landfill waste. That’s why Merchology offers many logo-branded products that give new life to plastic.

Many of these products come from sustainability-focused brand Zusa. A certified carbon-neutral company, Zusa turns plastic water bottles into ultra-soft fabrics for apparel and accessories. Here are just a few of the high-quality custom products they offer:

• Custom Zusa Black Heather Structured Transit Pack (made from 17 recycled water bottles)
• Branded Zusa Men's Oatmeal Heather Chilly Fleece Quarter Zip (made using 4 recycled water bottles)
• Corporate Zusa Men's Black Everyday Pique Polo (made with 14 recycled plastic water bottles)
  

  

Browse more logo-branded Zusa options and be part of one of the most important recycling trends in company gifting.

3. Company Apparel Made from Recycled Textile Materials

Fabrics themselves are highly recyclable materials. Specifically, reusing polyester, cotton, and nylon textiles requires much less water and energy than creating new material.

Many of the brands that Merchology partners with offer apparel made with recycled textiles. Here are a few examples:

• Custom Richardson Loden Recycled Knit Beanie
• Corporate District Men's Light Heather Grey Re-Fleece Crew
• Logo-Branded Patagonia Women's Evening Mauve Better Sweater Jacket 2.0

   

4. Recyclable Corporate Apparel 

Some companies have taken their sustainability commitment to a new level. For instance, the clothing brand Marine Layer offers a recycling program called Re-Spun. Customers can donate their old t-shirts (of any brand or material!), and Re-Spun will give them $5 in customer credit per t-shirt (up to $25).

Marine Layer then recycles the materials from these t-shirts for their own line of Re-Spun Tees, available in Women’s and Men’s styles. With Merchology, you can give these eco-conscious shirts for your logo-branded team wear and corporate merch.

Any scraps or lower-quality materials from donated t-shirts are reused for things like housing insulation or fishing nets.

Re-Spun has saved nearly a half million t-shirts from the landfill since 2018, making Marine Layer’s program one of the most impactful recycling trends in company gifting.

5. Giving Used Corporate Gifts a New Purpose

So far in our list of the top 5 sustainability trends in custom logo gifts, we’ve focused on choosing products made of recycled materials. But you should also think about the long-term use of your corporate gifts. That is, you don’t want your merch to end up in a landfill within a few months. There are a few strategies to keep in mind to ensure that your gifts will have a long life:

• Embrace slow fashion apparel, which features long-lasting materials and enduring style.
  
• Implement a program for your employees to donate their outdated and worn uniforms and corporate apparel.
  
• For consumable products, look for items with reusable containers. For instance, for custom candles, consider the custom Modern Sprout Ice Blue Glow & Grow Live Well Gift Set.  The candle container doubles as a planter, and the set includes seeds and everything you need to enjoy a long-lasting houseplant.

Contact Us

These custom gifting trends will put you on the right track for your logo-branded merch in 2024. Contact us at Merchology today for more recycled and recyclable corporate gift options!