Will Covid-19 kill environmentally friendly promotional products?

Sam Platt • 9 July 2020
Eco friendly promo goods

At the start of 2020 one of the fastest growing market sectors for promotional branded merchandise was those products which were either recycled or non-plastic. The eco-friendly product was the one that all marketers were interested in and the product the brand wanted to use to demonstrate their social responsibility credentials.

Now 7 months later the world has changed as millions have fallen ill with Covid19. Many sectors of the economy have come to a standstill including the events and exhibitions industry and many marketers have found themselves either furloughed or working from home.

So what will happen as things get back to normal? What will be the new normal? has Covid killed the ideal of eco-friendly? Will we focus on other things or has Covid demonstrated that we can live our lives differently in a way that does not impact the environment. Let’s examine the two sides of the argument.

1. The Optimist - the environment will be top of everyone’s agenda in 2021

We have all read the stories of the change to the environment during lockdown. Cleaner air and rivers – fish in the canals of Venice and wildlife venturing into urban streets free from cars. The BBC reported that ‘pollution in New York has reduced by nearly 50% because of measures created to contain the virus’ and ‘coal use fell by 40% at China’s six largest power plants’ - as well as –‘China’s CO2 emissions fell 25% at the start of 2020’.

As Kimberly Nicholas, sustainability science researcher at Lund University in Sweden told the BBC “It may be the case that people who are avoiding travel right now are really appreciating spending time with families and focusing on those really core priorities. These moments of crisis can highlight how important those priorities are and help people focus on the health and wellbeing of family, friends and community.” The argument being that we can change our lives in quite drastic ways we can live more sustainably and we can make a difference by the millions of small actions we take.

If this argument hold true then any promotional merchandise in the future will have to be eco-friendly. Plastic giveaways simply become socially unacceptable like drink driving or smoking in public. The promotional goods industry will only be able to sell products if they have proven sustainability credentials and the eco-product goes from being a growing trend to being the norm.

2. The Pessimist – economic recovery will be top of everyone’s agenda in 2021

The National Geographic magazine reported a very different view under the heading ‘Why Covid-19 will end up harming the environment’, in the article they interviewed Corinne Le Quéré, professor of climate change at the University of East Anglia and lead author of the original study and subsequent update. “So as soon as the restrictions are released, we go right back to where we were.” Now, “the risk is very high” that carbon output could surge past pre-pandemic levels, she says, “especially since we’ve done it in the past, not very long ago.” During the 2007-08 financial crisis, emissions dropped but then bounced back. We still have the same cars, the same roads, the same industries, same houses.” Whilst accepting that global carbon emissions are down 17% she fears that the rush to economic recovery will mean the environment falls from everyone’s agenda.


The National Geographic draws on a couple of examples to re-inforce its case. Pointing to the financial aid given by the US Federal Reserve to industry they quote Lukas Ross of Friends of the Earth who points to ‘companies’ pleas for cash, regulatory rollbacks and other special favours and worries that “There’s a serious risk that polluters could emerge from this crisis bolder and potentially more profitable than ever.” The other example is the situation in Brazil where illegal loggers have accelerated the destruction of the Amazon rainforest while the nation deals with the pandemic.


The danger is that the need to recover the employment levels will be far in excess of the environmental need. For eco-friendly promotional products, which tend to be more expensive than their polluting counterparts, the danger is clear. A rush to create economic activity will push the environment to the bottom of priorities. Marketers will seek volume at the expense of brand authenticity.


Conclusion


For the promotional goods industry predicting the trends of the marketer and the brand promotion business is a thankless task. We can only stand by our principles and listen to the needs of our customers. We can state our environmental case in the strongest terms but we do not make buying decisions. Truth is it is likely that different brands and companies will react in different ways.


References:

Will Covid-19 have a lasting impact on the environment? - BBC Future – BBC.co.uk

Why COVID-19 will end up harming the environment | National Geographic – Thursday 18th June 2020 by Beth Gardiner


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Ultimate Guide to finding an Eco Promotional Product

by David Platt • 27 July 2025
Searching for a branded gift or promotional product? Finding it hard to discover something new, something different? This post will give you a different way of finding what you are looking for by explaining how the industry works and why endless browsing may not be the right approach - or you can watch the video here 1. Understanding how the promotional products industry works a. Promotional Products Distributors The web sites you see on Google are numerous – indeed there are 2,873 distributors in the UK, each selling branded merchandise and each with a website. The web sites vary from the aesthetically pleasing to the overcrowded. BUT you will see the same products on many different web sites – why? b. Promotional Products Manufacturers The number of actual manufacturers is relatively small – a few hundred – each making a single product line, whether that be bags, notebooks, pens or clothing. But the vast majority of the manufacturers will only sell to the Trade – you will find it difficult to access them without the distributor. c. Merchandise Wholesalers In addition to the manufacturers, there an even smaller number of ‘wholesalers’. These Trade only suppliers will stock a huge range of products from many different sources and brand the product with your logo. They may also allow electronic feeds of their products to the distributor websites. d. Images of products So, as you search the myriad of websites presented by Google, you are looking at distributors with potentially the same product lines. ‘But they appear different’ – I hear you say. Yes, that is because each distributor, ourselves included, chooses what we believe to be the best promotional products for a particular price and quality, and the best images. Three problems We may have chosen the wrong products We may have chosen the wrong image The products constantly change so it is really tough to keep the website updated But, remember all the distributors buy from the same sources and virtually all could supply ANY of the products you see….. 2. I don’t know what I am looking for but will know it when I see it! This is true for 95% plus of everyone searching. You do however have some basic parameters: Rough cost per item Estimate of the quantity An understanding of who it’s for An understanding of your brand How the product will be used TIMING This last one is the ‘real kicker’ – you may find what you want but not be able to get it in time – in our experience this happens so often. 3. Alternative approach – a guide So, what is the alternative approach? Have the distributor do the work for you – for FREE We spend every day looking at products, attending industry exhibitions and meeting with manufacturers and wholesalers. We know what is available and when. We can help you clarify a brief and then present you with ideas. We can even quote on a product you have seen elsewhere. See us as your guide. OUR PROMISE – no pushy sales people – happy to chat by email or WhatsApp if you prefer.
Reversible Bucket Hat

The Top 5 Branded Merchandise items this Summer 2025

by David Platt • 24 June 2025
The top 5 most popular promotional merchandise for the Summer - let's look at what's hot!
Eco certification

Top 5 Certifications to Look for in Eco-Friendly Promotional Merchandise

21 April 2025
How can you tell which items genuinely meet environmental and ethical standards? How do you know your promotional merchandise is eco? One of the best ways is by looking for trusted third-party certifications. These certifications offer transparency, set rigorous criteria, and help ensure that your branded merchandise aligns with your sustainability values. Here's a quick guide to five of the most respected certifications to look out for when choosing eco-conscious products. 1. FSC – Forest Stewardship Council What it means: The FSC certification ensures that wood, paper, and other forest-based materials come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Why it matters: If you're sourcing promotional items made from wood or paper—like notebooks, packaging, or wooden gifts—FSC certification guarantees that the materials are sustainably harvested. Look for: Products marked with the FSC logo; and check the certificate number on the FSC Certificate Search. Visit FSC official site 2. GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard What it means: GOTS is a globally recognized certification for organic textiles. It ensures that fabrics like cotton are grown without harmful chemicals and processed in socially and environmentally responsible ways. Why it matters: Many promotional products, like tote bags, T-shirts, and towels, are textile-based. GOTS certification means these items are organic, safe, and ethically produced from farm to finish. Look for: A GOTS-certified label and supplier. You can verify through the GOTS Public Database. Visit GOTS official site What it means: Fairtrade certification supports better prices, decent working conditions, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in developing countries. Why it matters: Products like cotton bags, chocolate bars, or coffee mugs with Fairtrade-certified contents ensure ethical treatment of producers and sustainable farming practices. Look for: The blue and green Fairtrade logo on packaging or labels. Visit Fairtrade Foundation (UK) 4. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 What it means: This certification verifies that textiles are tested for harmful substances and are safe for human use. Why it matters: Even "natural" fabrics can be treated with dyes or chemicals. OEKO-TEX® ensures that every component of the product—from threads to prints—is free from harmful levels of over 100 substances. Look for: The STANDARD 100 label and certification number for verification via the OEKO-TEX® Label Check. Visit OEKO-TEX® official site 5. Cradle to Cradle Certified® What it means: Cradle to Cradle certification assesses products for environmental and social performance across five categories: material health, circularity, clean air & climate protection, water & soil stewardship, and social fairness. Why it matters: This is especially valuable for innovative and multi-material products. It focuses on the entire lifecycle, not just sourcing or disposal. Look for: The Cradle to Cradle Certified® mark and specific level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum). Visit Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Why Certifications Matter for Your Brand Choosing certified eco-friendly promotional products isn’t just about ticking a box—it shows your customers, staff, and stakeholders that you care about ethical sourcing, sustainable production, and long-term environmental impact. These certifications offer peace of mind and add real value to your brand story. At Pavilion Earth, we’re proud to work with suppliers who prioritise sustainability and transparency. Want help finding the right certified products for your campaign? Get in touch with us — we’d love to help.
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