Sustainable Promotional Products: What Companies Should Really Consider When Choosing Them
Promotional products are designed to attract attention, make brands visible, and ideally remain in use for a long time. At the same time, questions about sustainability, materials, and supply chains are becoming increasingly common in tenders, supplier assessments, and customer conversations.
But what actually makes a promotional product sustainable?
The answer is usually more complex than a material description or a single label might suggest. In our day-to-day work, we deal with product development, procurement, supplier management, and quality control. One thing becomes clear time and again: the sustainability of a promotional product can rarely be reduced to a single factor.
Inhaltsverzeichnis:
Sustainable Promotional Products Start With More Than Just the Material
When companies look for sustainable promotional products, the first thing they often consider is the raw material.
Recycled plastics, rPET, organic cotton, and FSC-certified materials have become standard options for many products. These materials can make an important contribution, but they provide only part of the overall picture.
From our perspective, it is worth asking additional questions:
How long will the product actually be used?
What requirements apply to quality and durability?
Where was the product manufactured?
What information is available about the supply chain?
How is the product packaged and transported?
Can the product be reused?
Only by considering these factors together can companies make a more informed assessment.
Making Sustainability Measureable: Our Key Figures for 2025
A sustainability report is most useful when it includes concrete figures.
Some of our key results for 2025 include:
62% of our workforce is female
0 reported cases of discrimination or harassment
0 lost-time workplace accidents
5 internal hires
30% of relevant suppliers audited
97% CO₂e reduction in DHL shipping through GoGreen Plus
100% GDPR training completion rate
Participation in EcoVadis and alignment with the UN Global Compact
These figures reflect our approach to sustainability as an ongoing improvement process rather than a single initiative.
Why Product Lifetime Is Often Underestimated
In many projects, the initial focus is on selecting the product. In practice, however, how the product is used afterwards can be just as relevant. A promotional product that remains in regular use stays visible and continues to serve its original purpose over a longer period. This is why, when selecting products, we look beyond materials and also consider functionality, workmanship, and the intended use.
The question should not only be: What is the product made of?
But also: Will it actually be used?
From our perspective, this is an important consideration for companies looking to assess the impact of promotional products more holistically.
For more on the CO₂ efficiency of tangible advertising, read:
Certifications Can Provide Guidance
Companies looking into sustainable promotional products will quickly encounter a range of certifications and standards.
These include, for example:
FSC
GRS
Fairtrade
OEKO-TEX
BSCI
The important point: each certification or initiative covers different areas. FSC certification, for example, relates to forest-based materials and responsible sourcing. Other standards or systems focus more strongly on recycled content, social requirements, or particular production conditions.
We therefore see certifications as valuable sources of information when assessing a product. However, they do not replace an assessment of the bigger picture.
The Supply Chain is Part of the Sustainability Assessment
Alongside the product itself, the supply chain also plays an important role.
In our Sustainability Report , we describe various measures relating to supplier management, audits, and transparency. These include supplier assessments, audits of relevant partners, and direct communication with production facilities. These processes help us systematically address quality, compliance, and sustainability requirements.
Especially when it comes to customized promotional products and merchandise solutions, sustainability cannot always be assessed solely on the basis of the finished product. Information about origin, production, and quality assurance can also help provide a more complete picture.
Logistics is another part of the supply chain that can be relevant when assessing sustainability.
Our logistics partner's warehouse is certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. These certifications relate to quality management and environmental management respectively and support structured processes in warehousing and logistics.
For us, this is another building block for promoting transparency, quality assurance, and traceable processes throughout the supply chain. Promotional products, merchandise projects, and fulfillment solutions in particular demonstrate that sustainability often depends on more than the product itself. The processes surrounding it matter too.
Further reading:
Sustainable Promotional Products From Europe
More and more companies are considering manufacturing locations within Europe. Common reasons include:
Shorter transport distances
Greater transparency in procurement
Product availability
Organizational requirements
At the same time, sustainability should not automatically be attributed to a particular manufacturing location. Whether a product is sustainable depends on several factors and cannot be determined by its country of origin alone. From our perspective, each project therefore requires a differentiated assessment.
Aligning Sustainability With Business Objectives
Not every promotional product serves the same purpose. Requirements vary depending on whether products are being used for:
Trade shows and events
Employee onboarding
Customer loyalty initiatives
Corporate merchandise
Corporate wear
For this reason, product selection often starts with its intended purpose rather than with the product itself. The clearer the objective, the easier it becomes to assess quality, expected lifetime, and relevant sustainability considerations.
Application | Expected lifetime | Level of customization | Relevant sustainability considerations |
Trade shows | Low to medium | High | Material, quantity |
Onboarding | Medium to high | High | Long-term use |
Customer gifts | High | High | Quality, perceived value |
Corporate wear | High | Very high | Materials, durability |
Our Perspective on Sustainable Promotional Products
From our perspective, whether a promotional product can be considered sustainable cannot be determined by a single material, certification, or marketing claim. Several factors matter, including its intended use, product quality, supply chain, and sourcing transparency. This is precisely why we at Verticas look beyond the product itself and consider the processes behind it.
From product development and procurement to quality control, logistics, and fulfillment solutions, we look at many of the steps that can influence the overall outcome of a project.
For a deeper look at our measures and key figures, further information is available in our Sustainability Report.
Download our full Sustainability Report 2025 here.
FAQs
What Makes a Promotional Product Sustainable?
The sustainability of a promotional product depends on several factors. These can include the material, expected lifetime, manufacturing conditions, supply chain, packaging, and transportation. A single characteristic or certification will usually not provide a complete assessment of a product's sustainability.
Are Promotional Products Made From Recycled Materials Automatically Sustainable?
Not necessarily. Recycled materials can help conserve resources and reduce demand for virgin raw materials. However, product quality, durability, origin, and actual use should also be considered when assessing the product as a whole.
Which Certifications Are Relevant for Promotional Products?
Common standards and systems include FSC, GRS, OEKO-TEX, Fairtrade, and BSCI. They address different areas and therefore cannot be directly compared. They can provide useful information when assessing products, but they do not replace a broader look at the supply chain and the product itself.
Why Is the Supply Chain Important for Sustainable Promotional Products?
Many sustainability considerations arise throughout the value chain rather than at the finished-product stage alone. Transparency around production sites, quality controls, social standards, and audits can therefore be an important part of evaluating a product.
Are Promotional Products Made in Europe Always More Sustainable?
Manufacturing in Europe can offer advantages such as shorter transport distances or greater procurement transparency. However, a product's sustainability cannot be determined by its country of origin alone. The entire product and procurement process should be considered.
How Does Verticas Support Companies in Selecting Sustainable Promotional Products?
Verticas supports companies in the development and procurement of promotional products, merchandise collections, and corporate wear. Depending on the project, factors such as quality, functionality, supply chain information, certifications, and long-term usability are considered when selecting suitable products.
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