15 Eco-Friendly Corporate Gift Ideas
15 Eco-Friendly Corporate Gift Ideas
You go to great lengths to make your customers and clients happy, and gift-giving can play a significant role in that. A carefully chosen, thoughtful gift shows that you value your working relationship and care about its continuation.
The impact of gifting on the planet is increasingly at the forefront. In the corporate context, sustainable gifting shows that you appreciate your client or customer and helps showcase your own brand’s values.
What is Sustainable Gifting?
So, what exactly is sustainable gifting? There are different definitions, but essentially it’s giving gifts with the planet in mind. While it’s virtually impossible for an object to have no impact on our planet, there are plenty of considerations you can keep in mind to make your gifting more sustainable and better for the environment.
In a corporate setting, sustainable gifting demonstrates to your clients and customers that sustainability is a key value of your brand. Additionally, if sustainability is particularly important to the person you are gifting to, you may want to choose a gift that aligns with their values.
How Do You Choose a Great Sustainable Corporate Gift?
A good gift requires some thought and consideration. If you’re choosing a sustainable gift, it’s essential to look behind the scenes at where that item comes from. To get you started, here are a few of the (many!) considerations you might want to keep in mind when selecting a more sustainable gift.
1. Where it’s made
Opting for something locally sourced for more sustainable gifting makes a big difference. Local products can often have a lower carbon impact since they aren’t shipped from around the world. They can also contribute to the local economy.
2. What it’s made from
The actual materials are a vital consideration when picking out a more sustainable gift. Certain materials are kinder to the planet — these are often renewable materials, like wood, cotton, cork, bamboo, and more. Renewable materials are typically a more eco-friendly option than plastic and other man-made materials.
3. How long it’s meant to last
Is the gift you have in mind meant to last for years and years or even up to a lifetime? Or will it eventually need to be replaced down the line? Whether it’s a tech item that will likely become obsolete or simply something you can’t picture holding up through wear and tear, it is always better to reduce waste by selecting something made to endure a long life. When something lasts, it doesn’t have to be replaced — saving on resources, transportation, and more.
Of course, sustainability is complex, and there are many more considerations to remember. But these are just a few to get you started and get you thinking, helping you to make more thoughtful purchasing decisions. Your corporate dollar has an impact, so why not use it in a way that benefits the planet?
Sustainable corporate gifts aren’t necessarily more expensive or difficult to find. You can find a meaningful eco-friendly gift for a client or customer with a little consideration.
What else to keep in mind
Beyond sustainability, there are a few best practices to remember when choosing the perfect corporate gift.
It’s a good idea to make sure your gift is personalized — gifts are always more impactful when you can tie them to something related to an interest, hobby, and more. Keep it professional, but consider if there’s a way to emphasize that a gift was personally picked out.
Another consideration that ties back to sustainability is making sure that the gift is useful. If you can, it’s best to make sure that your client doesn’t already have what you’ll be gifting them so you can ensure that it winds up genuinely being used rather than being wasted.
15 Eco-Friendly Corporate Gift Ideas
To inspire you, here are a few corporate gift ideas that reflect your appreciation of sustainable goods. Whether you’re gifting to a client, customer, or even a coworker, these options are more eco-friendly than your typical gift.
1. Reusable water bottle
A good-quality reusable water bottle can be kept for years, saving on plastic and disposable water bottles. Since it is used frequently, the recipient will be reminded of you on a regular basis.
2. Movie or theatre tickets
Gifting an experience is a go-to sustainable option since no resources are used (besides maybe the transportation to get there!).
3. A potted plant
A cheerful office plant is a classic gift that we love to recommend. Plants can seriously brighten up a workspace and are an eco-friendly option. We recommend choosing one that doesn’t require too much watering or sun. We love the snake plants from Foli because they can thrive in dim lighting. Foli also delivers plants directly to your recipient's doorstep.
4. A tote bag
If you can, consider getting a tote bag made from good quality materials, with pockets and with a good design. That way, you can help ensure that they’ll genuinely use it — not something that will sit in the back of their closet.
5. An e-book subscription or credit
Gifting for a reader? Not only will an e-book credit or subscription let them choose their next read, but it’s also a more environmentally friendly option than paper books.
6. Refillable notebook or planner
A more eco-friendly way to stay organized. The cover can stay the same with a refillable notebook or planner, and only the pages need to be changed over time.
7. In-office herb garden
Know your client or customer’s office? A herb garden could be a great sustainable gift option if you can picture a sunny spot (perhaps by an office kitchen!). Avoid hardy herbs—like rosemary or oregano—that could hold up better to infrequent watering. Lavender is also resilient and can be lovely in afternoon tea.
8. A solar-powered phone charger
A solar-powered phone charger is a great gift and a helpful accessory that’s kinder to the planet. We all need chargers, and solar-powered ones use less electricity and have a softer environmental impact.
9. Fair-trade coffee beans
Coffee beans with a better impact: Opt for fair-trade, locally roasted beans that help support communities and are committed to promoting ecological balance. We have collaborated with our pals at Salt Spring Coffee over the years. We also love the indigenous-owned Kebaonish and we feature it in our Turtle Island gift.
10. A gift card to a zero-waste shop
Is there a zero-waste store where your client lives? If so, they might appreciate a gift certificate so they can stock up on food and zero-waste supplies that encourage a more sustainable lifestyle.
11. Museum or art gallery tickets
Giving tickets to a local museum or gallery supports the local economy and is an especially eco-friendly option for a corporate gift. This could be a great option if your client is a fan of the arts or loves to learn about history and culture.
12. A donation
If you know your client would appreciate donating to an environmental organization they care about, this could be a great corporate gift solution. We love donating to our friends at Canopy Planet, who do great work protecting forests, endangered species and the climate.
13. A warm hat
Gifting a beanie (or a toque, as we say here in Canada!) is a classic gift. To make it more eco-friendly, look for one that boasts being made of regenerative or sustainable materials. Wool is often a good option since it’s renewable and biodegradable.
14. A stylish and sustainable lunch box
If you know your client likes to pack their own lunch to the office, why not treat them to an eco-friendly container? Look for one made from bamboo or another durable material that can be used again and again.
15. A compostable phone case
If your client’s phone case looks a little worse for wear, a new one might be just the perfect gift. Plenty of sustainable options exist, including compostable phone cases that don’t contribute additional waste to the landfill.
Sustainable Gift Baskets
Plus, an extra idea (and our personal favourite!) — sustainable gift baskets. A gift basket can be a meaningful and genuinely impactful gift for so many different occasions.
At SaulGood, we’ve been curating eco-friendly gift baskets since 2006. Based in Canada, our corporate gift baskets are filled with locally sourced goodies and treats from Canadian artisans, bakeries, chocolatiers, and so much more. Beyond local products, our packaging features 100% recycled cardboard for a lower environmental impact.
What’s more, we’re a founding Canadian certified B Corp — a critical way to show our commitment to positively impacting the environment. In all we do, sustainability in our gift baskets is a top priority and something we strive towards each and every year.
