15 Sustainable Corporate Gift Ideas for Mindful Gifting
Gifts may be exchanged during special holidays or as a token of appreciation. No matter how it’s done or what is given and received, it’s a practice you’ll find across the globe in some form or another.
Giving gifts has even extended into the workplace in the form of corporate gifts. Corporate gifts can be a great way for companies to show their appreciation for their employees. Let’s explore some sustainable gift options for employees and clients.
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What are Corporate Gifts?
Corporate gifts may be exchanged for some of the traditional reasons we associate with giving and receiving such as celebrating a birthday or a holiday. It may also be a reward for completing a successful campaign or celebrating a promotion.
With companies increasingly focusing on company culture and employee care, corporate gifts offer a way of creating an emotional touchpoint between the business and an employee.
The practice also extends to existing or prospective clients and customers.
Giving corporate gifts can be part of sales prospects, conferences, meetings, or events and may strengthen relations between a business and its clients, showing that the former is willing to go the extra mile.
Popular corporate gifts include items such as flash drives, lanyards, pens, and mugs, while non-physical items include gift cards and experiences.
Choosing physical items presents an opportunity to promote brand recognition. Customizing a physical item with a company logo reminds the receiver of the brand, associating it with a positive experience.
What's the Problem with Regular Corporate Gifts?
Unfortunately, a lot of corporate gifts you hand out are poorly made. The popular saying associated with gift-giving is, “it’s the thought that counts”; so if you present employees or clients with a gift that easily breaks or falls apart, they will not make a positive association with your brand.
How many mugs have you received that fade and chip after a few uses or pens that run dry after a few scribbles?
Poorly-made gifts may dent a brand’s image. If you’re not willing to put thought and effort into meaningful, well-made gifts, clients and customers may wonder what kind of shortcuts you’re taking with your products or services.
Giving gifts that are thoughtful and useful will not only create a better brand image, but are also the more sustainable choice.
Low-quality gifts like mass-produced pens and cheap lanyards inevitably end up in landfills contributing to waste problems. It also means all the resources it took to make the items are wasted.
Plus, let's be honest...people don't want cheap gifts that remind them of work. Let's explore what to look for in sustainable corporate gifting.
What to Look for in Sustainable Corporate Gifts
There are two types of corporate gifts you can give: physical and non-physical. The latter can include experiences such as a spa trip or a cooking class.
Choosing an experience that speaks to a person’s interests will go a long way in showing that you value and pay attention to those you work with. Other ideas to consider are gift cards, monetary bonuses, or an extended weekend.
If you choose to give physical items, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure sustainable choices that will also make a better impression.
Get to know your employees and clients. This will help you choose gifts they can use and appreciate.
Choose high quality materials. You do not have to forego plastic completely, but opt for items that are recycled or recyclable (or both) and that are durable. For items made with fabric, avoid synthetics. Organic cotton is a great choice; while it may be water- and energy-intensive to make, the final product is soft, durable, and long-lasting.
Choose clean and responsible materials such as sustainably-sourced wood and ingredients such as fair trade coffee.
Food and drinks are a great choice, as they can be consumed immediately and completely – just ensure you keep in mind dietary preferences and don’t overdo it. Giving one person a huge food basket they cannot finish themselves may lead to food waste.
Opt for plant-based materials. This is especially important if your employees or clients are vegan.
Avoid or minimize packaging. Many brands practice this by using packaging materials that are recycled or recyclable; or get creative and make your own packaging: a tote can double as a gift and a gift bag.
Choose local suppliers and try to support small businesses.
15 Sustainable Corporate Gift Ideas
If you're looking to show your employee appreciation in a responsible way, here are a few great sustainable corporate gift ideas that support small businesses.
Certified B Corp Bundle $55
Packed with Purpose creates gift boxes for all manner of events, occasions, and purposes, including corporate gifts. Gift boxes are made from recycled materials with the inner packaging made from FSC-certified paper.
In 2023, Packed with Purpose received their B Corporation certification. Receiving this certification requires meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
To celebrate, Packed with Purpose created the Certified B Corp Bundle. This box features items from Certified B Corp Impact Partners and their purpose-driven suppliers. Filled with organic chocolate, coffee, tea, and cookies, it makes for a delicious corporate gift.
Actually Curious Card Game $24+
Actually Curious is a great sustainable corporate gift idea because it can encourage co-workers to get to know each other better! Actually Curious is the conversation card game that helps build trust and empathy.
This Black owned business has created five different editions for the card game including Happy Hour, Culture, Future, Human Rights, and Curiosity.
Plus, Actually Curious’ cards are produced with ethical labor and a sustainable paper supply.
Many Thanks Gift Box $35
Also from Packed with Purpose, is the Many Thanks gift box: allowing you to show an employee or client a token of appreciation.
This simple but scrumptious box is filled with dark chocolate, popcorn, and whole, dried fruit.
These are sourced from suppliers that align with Packed with Purpose’s sustainability goals, including ethically-sourced chocolate bars from the Seattle Chocolate Company that donates 10% of profits to Girls Inc, and sustainably harvested sea salt popcorn from Pipcorn that preserves agricultural biodiversity by supporting heirloom corn.
Tea Drops Organic Fair Trade Tea Sets
Treat your team or customers to an elevated organic tea experience with one-of-a -kind Tea Drops. Tea Drops has a variety of different tea sets featuring their unique drops made with organic and fair trade ingredients.
This is the perfect way to invite your team or customers to relax!
Sustainable Luxuries Gift Box $90
This Packed with Purpose gift box includes a cedar wood journal, a precision-point pen, and a stainless steel travel tumbler that is perfect to carry hot or cold beverages.
The journal is made by Woodchuck USA, a creator of eco-friendly wood products that plants a tree for every purchase made.
This is a great gift because it features everyday items made in a sustainable way that the recipient is sure to use regularly.
Plants
A plant is something that can be good for mental health and won’t cause unnecessary waste. Plant lovers are sure to cherish a new plant for their office. Check out your local plant nurseries or consider looking at The Sill.
Custom Hats from KNOWN Supply
KNOWN SUPPLY makes apparel for men and women that focuses on highlighting the people who make each item. Predominantly working with GOTS-certified organic cotton, they offer all manner of apparel from T-shirts and sweaters to dresses and jackets.
They also offer custom accessories such as hats, beanies, scarves, and totes. Hats make for a corporate gift that is functional and long-lasting.
At KNOWN SUPPLY, you can make a bulk order and have these items customized to make the gift unique with your company logo. All KNOWN Supply items are made in Fair Trade certified factories too! Your employees or clients are sure to appreciate an ethically made hat!
Siblings DIY Zero Waste Candles $24+
If you want to gift a candle, choose a brand that uses clean and sustainable materials. Instead of paraffin – a by-product of petroleum usually used for candles – Siblings uses clean ingredients and compostable packaging.
Their eco-friendly wax is a blend of coconut, soy, and beeswax, and non-toxic, cruelty-free fragrances and essential oils are used to scent the waxes.
What makes Siblings Candles unique is that they sell the wax and you can pour it into your own vessel at home, giving you the perfect opportunity to reuse tins and jars.
Once the vessel is empty, you can order refills and reuse the vessel again. Siblings also sells handmade, long-lasting vessels and they even offer a gift-buying guide.
This is a unique DIY gift for any crafty individual!
Custom Tote Bag from GOEX $10+
Custom tote bags make another great and useful corporate gift – not only can it be used for many years, but also for a variety of purposes.
GOEX specializes in making tees using sustainable materials like 100% cotton and recycled polyester made from plastic water bottles.
Remnant fabric is used to make accessories like beanies, dog tanks, and tote bags. They also offer custom design and printing services to help make your gifts special.
GOEX is also part of the Fair Trade Federation which means the ensure fair labor practices through out their supply chain.
Beyond tote bags they do custom t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other promotional products.
Stojo Collapsible Coffee Cup $15+
Corporate jobs and coffee go hand in hand, so a Stojo collapsible coffee cup makes for an appropriate gift for those coming into the office and grabbing a cup of joe on the way.
Stojo started making leak-free, collapsible coffee cups in 2012. Since then their range has expanded to include bottles, bowls, and straws.
Made from food-grade silicone and recyclable plastic, the cups are free from BPAs, BPSs, phthalates, lead, and adhesives. Plus, Stojo offers customization, so you can put your company logo on the cup!
Reusable Straw Set $15+
Consider a reusable straw set with your company logo on it! This gift is practical and encourages your employees or clients to live more sustainably by ditching those plastic straws.
Untold Store Gift Boxes $59+
A gifting company focusing on BIPOC entrepreneurs, Untold Store sources artisanal and ethically-made products. Gift boxes are experience-based and can be tailored to make the perfect gift for your employees or clients.
Gift boxes also tell the stories of the entrepreneurs behind the brands which include Aiden & Coco (a supplier of natural aromatherapy meditation sprays) and Tea Drops (a maker of bagless, organic, whole-leaf teas).
Packaging includes paper sourced from sustainably-grown forests and the box filler is embedded with wildflower seeds that you can grow in your garden or even in a potted office plant.
Virtual Gift Cards
Virtual gift cards are a low waste gift idea that ensures your employee or client gets what they want! Consider getting a gift card to a local restaurant, a spa, or a book store to encourage them to do something fun for themselves!
Reusable Water Bottles
Reusable water bottles are a great way to reduce plastic waste. If your company has water stations, this is the perfect way to ensure your employees use them to stay hydrated. Consider looking on Etsy for small businesses that customize water bottles!
Where to Shop for Eco-friendly Corporate Gifts & Promotional Items?
There are a few places I’d recommend looking for corporate gifts that are eco-friendly!
Packed with Purpose
Packed with Purpose is a great place to find pre-made gifts that support other small businesses. They have a variety of gift box options and you’re sure to find something your employees or clients will appreciate. Plus, each gift box comes with a book explaining the impact of each product.
GOEX for Promotional Products
GOEX is a great place to get custom t-shirts, bags, hats, and other sustainable corporate products printed. They use sustainable materials like recycled polyester and USA grown cotton. Their products are fair trade too!
Etsy
Etsy is a great place to support small businesses and find opportunities to customize a unique product.
Hopefully these sustainable gifts have given you some ideas on how to choose responsible corporate gifts and consider your ecological footprint when purchasing promotional items.
Choosing high quality and thoughtful gifts can make a lasting impression on your employees, clients, and business associates, so be sure to shop responsibly.