What is the price of an ECO promotional product?
We surveyed the common branded merchandise and found that eco was not priced higher then conventional merchandise
The Changing Cost of Eco-Friendly Products: Is There Still a Premium?
SUMMARY
1. In 2020 eco-friendly promotional products were 25-30% more expensive
2. Now the volume of eco-friendly products has grown substantially, becoming a major part of all promotional products sold in the UK
3. So, the price differences have eroded
4. Examining the most common promotional items it seems eco and non-eco are now comparable in price – the product features and embellishments are more important to the price, than the eco status
In recent years, the market for eco-friendly promotional products has undergone significant changes. The pricing has shifted for products branded as "eco" compared to their standard counterparts. Five years ago, we would have estimated a premium of 20-30% for eco products. However, the last half-decade has brought some surprising developments.
Eco Products Go Mainstream
Eco products have become increasingly mainstream, leading to higher volumes and reduced manufacturing costs. To understand how this has affected pricing, we conducted a survey comparing various popular products.
Comparative Survey of Eco Versus Standard Products
1.
Notebooks: Staring with notebooks, considering a batch of 100 with a one-color print. Comparing a standard hard-backed notebook made from PU (polyurethane) to a recycled PU version revealed minimal price differences—around 5%. While eco options like recycled leather or apple peel versions are pricier (£12-14 each), they compare more to luxury brands like Moleskine, which would also be around the same £12-14 each.
2. Pens: Two metal pens, including one made from recycled aluminium, were nearly identical in design. Here, the recycled option turned out slightly cheaper, demonstrating an unexpected price point advantage for eco materials.
https://www.pavilionearth.co.uk/eco-desk-promo-products/recycled-aluminium-pens
3. Tote Bags: In the realm of tote bags, we found two options with identical dimensions and capacities. Surprisingly, the recycled cotton version was cheaper than the one made from natural fibres, once again showing the savings possible with eco-friendly materials.
https://www.pavilionearth.co.uk/bags/cotton-shopping-bag
4. Bottles: Looking at dual-wall bottles designed to keep drinks cold, we found two stainless steel versions. Despite differences in finish—the recycled steel being matte as opposed to glossy—the eco-friendly variant was cheaper. This price difference did not appear to correlate with the surface finish.
https://www.pavilionearth.co.uk/drinkware/rcs-recycled-stainless-steel-vacuum-bottle
5. T-Shirts: T-shirts presented a more complex comparison due to manufacturing variables such as stitching and material quality. We focussed on one brand, Roly, and compared their 100% cotton t-shirts (£4.72) with a polyester-cotton blend (£5.70) and a recycled polyester version (£5.62). Despite the recycled polyester being slightly lighter, it remained price-competitive. Opting for 100% organic cotton brought a 20-25% price increase. Yet, when considering embroidery—a more costly decoration method—the organic cotton was actually less expensive overall.
https://www.pavilionearth.co.uk/clothing/organic-t-shirts
https://www.pavilionearth.co.uk/clothing/recycled-polyester-t-shirts
The conclusion is that the narrative of paying a premium for eco products no longer holds. Current price differences arise more from product features and embellishments than the eco status of the materials. This shift contradicts the advice we have offered over the years.
Join the Conversation
If you're a competitor or supplier, I'd love to hear your thoughts and findings. Feel free to reach out to me directly via email at davidplatt@paviliongroup.co.uk. Your insights would be invaluable. Thank you for engaging in this important discussion on the evolution of eco-friendly products.
Author: David Platt MBA Bsc DipM – David has been involved in promotional products for 20 years and is the Managing Director of Pavilion Earth which specialises in eco-products. This has involved trying to understand all aspects of the environmental impact of branded merchandise
Contact:davidplatt@paviliongroup.co.uk
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-platt-a84b12b8/
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