For years, the term "sustainability" has buzzed around the promotional products industry. We've seen compostable pens, certifications from groups like QCA, and plenty of discussions—but it often felt like just that: talk. Clients asked us about sustainable options, and while we could point to initiatives and products, the impact seemed nebulous. However, this year marks a tangible shift—a real change in how sustainability is approached in our field.
Historically, sustainability efforts were fragmented, focusing on isolated products or practices without a comprehensive strategy. But now, I'm witnessing a sweeping transformation across the industry. We're seeing hundreds of items that are genuinely carbon neutral—some through carbon offsets, which raise their own questions, but many are innovatively made from recycled materials.
A significant portion of a product's carbon footprint originates from the initial transformation of raw materials and later, at the end of its lifecycle, when it's discarded in landfills or through incineration. Recognizing this, more suppliers are shifting to materials like recycled cotton, which drastically reduce water usage compared to virgin cotton, and repurposed plastics that give a new life to what would otherwise be waste. According to a recent study, incorporating 30% recycled cotton into cotton fabric production can reduce the water footprint up to 24.5% in comparison to 100% virgin cotton. We now have entire clothing lines crafted from 100% recycled cotton and plastics.
What's more, the cost gap between recycled and non-recycled items is narrowing. Much like the organic food movement, where premium prices have leveled to become more mainstream, recycled products are becoming financially accessible to all. This is no longer a niche market catered to by exclusively "green" companies; major players across all spectrums of the industry are embracing these practices.
Recycled or carbon neutral doesn’t sacrifice quality either. Our team is diligently reviewing products across the spectrum, testing for quality, comfortability, and style. In our testing, the recycled products performed the same, often times better than products manufactured with virgin textiles.
At this point, if a company is genuinely committed to sustainability and concerned about the environmental impact of promotional swag, there’s no longer a valid excuse. Options are available that are not only carbon neutral but also made from completely recycled materials—both in apparel and hard goods.
This movement towards sustainability is no longer just a conversation. It’s happening right now, reshaping our industry and how we think about every product we create and use. As someone who has pushed for clarity and real answers within the realm of sustainability, seeing this change unfold is incredibly encouraging. The journey towards a more sustainable industry is gaining momentum, and at Kotis, we’re thrilled to be part of this evolution, driving change, and offering our clients products that are truly sustainable.
Let's keep the conversation going, but more importantly, let's keep the action going. Together, we can make a difference, one sustainable product at a time.