They say that a staggering 227,000 miles of wrapping paper and 17.2 million brussels sprouts are thrown away each year at Christmas time. (Timeout) There are many ways in which we can all make better choices to reduce our environmental impact at Christmas time. 

Here are some suggestions from us when it comes to keeping your Christmas merchandise on the eco-friendly side this year. 

1. Environmentally Friendly Hampers.

If you are a fan of giving hampers to staff and clients at Christmas (we are!) why not opt for the bag-for-life hamper, it is packed with all the same amazing goodies, but in a jute bag that can be used again and again  (and branded with your corporate identity). The great thing about jute fiber is 100% bio-degradable and recyclable. 

2. Choose Carefully 

Apparently, just less than half of adults in the UK say they've received gifts they don't want and will never use (WWF). So that's for us and you to get our thinking caps on to make sure that Christmas merchandise ticks your target audience's boxes. Not only do you want to protect our planet, but you also want the gift you give to a valued client or team member to be memorable, meaningful, and something that they will keep and use. 

3. Sustainable materials 

We know for example that a bamboo is a sustainable option by the way it is produced, replaced, and recycled. If you are considering diaries or notebooks, opt for sustainably sourced FSC-certified paper products. 

4. Is it recycled? 

When it comes to clothing consider Rpet options like this made from plastic: 

https://www.initialincentives.com/products/-promotional-christmas-merchandise/-christmas-clothing/312-INI6651-03/3-piece-winter-set 

Or products made from recycled plastic or glass, we have a collection of items made from recycled glass from drinkware to terrariums perfect for the indoor gardener, we even have recycled glass worktop savers which can be branded. 

5. Is it reusable? 

Reusable coffee cups, lunchboxes for leftovers, and heated food flasks, all of these are a step away from disposable cardboard cups, cling film, and sandwich bags which are filling up our rubbish dumps and lasting longer than our lifetimes!
 

There are many other ways in which you can reduce your organisations enviromental impact this Christmas, including: 

- Send e-cards instead of physical cards through the post, if you prefer paper cards check if they are recycled or on sustainably sourced paper. 

- Choose recycled or recyclable packing, even some wrapping cannot be recycled. 

- Source the office Christmas tree from a sustainable source (did you know can rent them?) 

- Avoid using disposable plates, single-use cultlery and paper napkins at staff Christmas functions. 

- Encouraged Secret Santa gifts to wrapped with recyclable or reusable wrap or gift bags. 

- Buy eco-friendly decorations for the Christmas tree, ones that will last a long time and not need replacing.

Eco-friendly Christmas branded merchandise 

So whether you're looking for staff stocking fillers, branded Christmas decorations or client gifts take a look at our online catalogue or drop us an email for our reccommendations at sales@initialincentives.com