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Sustainable Swag Done Right: PerkUp's Eco-Friendly Swag Approach
Sustainable Swag Done Right: PerkUp's Eco-Friendly Swag Approach
Sustainable Swag Done Right: PerkUp's Eco-Friendly Swag Approach
PerkUp builds sustainability into every layer of your swag program, from how it ships to what it stocks, so your team can gift responsibly without the extra work.
PerkUp builds sustainability into every layer of your swag program, from how it ships to what it stocks, so your team can gift responsibly without the extra work.
PerkUp builds sustainability into every layer of your swag program, from how it ships to what it stocks, so your team can gift responsibly without the extra work.
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If you're on an HR or marketing team responsible for swag, you already know how quickly orders add up. Welcome kits for new hires, giveaways for trade shows, milestone gifts for work anniversaries, branded apparel, and drinkware for company retreats. That’s a lot.
Now consider this: the US promotional products industry generates an estimated 22 billion items annually, and a significant portion of those items sometimes end up unused or thrown away. That's a lot of waste tied to swag programs you're managing.
And if your company has ESG commitments or your bosses and recipients are meticulous when it comes to sustainability, then it’s important for you to ensure that your swag program aligns with those values. The good news is that sending out sustainable swag is easy with the right platform and the right swag items, all while reducing your company's environmental footprint.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how PerkUp makes that possible.
Why should your HR and marketing teams care about sustainable swag?
Before we dive into the specifics of how PerkUp makes sending sustainable swag easy, let’s first discuss why you should choose eco-friendly swag in the first place.
Recipients want sustainable or eco-friendly swag
A Deloitte survey found that 69% of employees want their companies to invest in sustainability, and among Gen Z and millennial workers, that number jumps to 96%. Meanwhile, a First Insight article showed that 73% of Gen Z consumers prefer eco-conscious brands. Now, if you’re an HR manager running onboarding or recognition programs, or a marketing leader planning event swag, these numbers are hard to ignore.
Eco-friendly swag items are high-quality
There's a practical angle, too. Sustainable promotional products tend to be higher quality, which means your recipients actually keep and use them. That recycled stainless steel tumbler your marketing team hands out at a trade show? It's going to get daily use for years, keeping your logo front and center. The cheap plastic water bottle? It's heading to a landfill by the end of the week. For teams tracking ROI on swag spend, the math on environmentally friendly swag just works better.
Your swag should align with your company values
For marketing teams, there's a brand consistency issue. If your company's website talks about sustainability commitments but your trade show booth is handing out single-use plastic items, that disconnect doesn't go unnoticed. Your swag is a physical extension of your brand story, and making it sustainable keeps the message aligned across every touchpoint.
These reasons make things clear: your recipients expect sustainable swag, your event attendees notice eco-friendly items, and the ROI favors sustainable-related swag programs. But actually pulling off a sustainable swag program is a different story when you're juggling multiple vendors, shipping to different countries, and managing tight timelines. That's where having a swag platform with sustainability built into its operations makes all the difference. Instead of vetting every product and supplier yourself, you can work with a platform that's already done that work for you.
And that platform is PerkUp.
PerkUp is the Platform for Sustainable Swag at Scale
So what does it actually look like to run a sustainable swag program across multiple countries? For companies like Microsoft, Wise, PUBG, and DuckDuckGo, it looks like PerkUp.
PerkUp fulfills locally through warehouses across the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia, which means a swag order for your team in Berlin ships from Europe, not from across the Atlantic. That alone cuts shipping-related carbon emissions by up to 95%. On top of that, PerkUp's Pledge 1% commitment and Stripe Climate partnership mean every order funds environmental nonprofits and carbon removal technology.
In addition, PerkUp also integrates sustainability into its operational side, specifically through On Demand swag production (alongside bulk and warehousing for swag flexibility), so you only need to order the swag you need when you need it. With all of these, your HR and marketing teams get one platform that handles sourcing, fulfillment, and sustainability across every region.
That's the big picture. But how does each of these commitments play out in practice, and what do they actually mean for your swag program? Let's break them down in the next section.
How does PerkUp approach sustainability?
On Demand swag options reduce waste
Overproduction is one of the biggest environmental blind spots in corporate swag. When you order in bulk to play it safe, the leftovers take up warehouse space as well as represent raw materials extracted, energy consumed, and carbon emitted for products that never reach a recipient.
PerkUp's On Demand swag model addresses this by producing items only when someone places an order. This approach is especially useful if you’re part of an HR team managing onboarding swag, where new hires come in at different times throughout the year, and for marketing teams that need flexibility across events with varying attendee counts. It's one of the easiest ways to make your sustainable company swag program greener at the source.
PerkUp’s global warehousing and local fulfillment cut carbon emissions by up to 95%
If your team is sending swag to employees or event attendees across multiple countries, the shipping alone can generate a significant carbon footprint. PerkUp addresses this with a global warehouse network spanning the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia, allowing orders to be sourced and shipped locally whenever possible.
To put that in perspective: let’s say that shipping a package from New York to Paris produces approximately 2.92 kg of CO₂ per kilogram. On the other hand, if you’re shipping from Berlin to Paris, that’ll only produce 0.16 kg CO₂ per kilogram. That's a savings of 2.76 kg CO₂ per package!
Pledge 1%
Beyond its own operations, PerkUp is also part of Pledge 1%, committing a portion of its resources to social impact causes. For your team, that means every swag order you place through PerkUp supports a vendor that's actively giving back. If your company has its own CSR or ESG goals, that alignment matters when it comes time to justify vendor choices to leadership.
Stripe Climate partnership
In addition to Pledge 1%, PerkUp partners with Stripe Climate to allocate a portion of every swag purchase toward carbon removal technologies. The technologies funded through this initiative include direct air capture, ocean alkalinity enhancement, enhanced mineral weathering, and geologic carbon storage. Every swag order your team places through PerkUp contributes to building that demand, which is a compelling talking point if your leadership team asks what you're doing to support climate action through vendor choices.
Sustainable products in the catalog
PerkUp's catalog includes a growing selection of items specifically designed with sustainability in mind. You'll find products made from organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled stainless steel, FSC-certified materials, and other responsibly sourced materials. Many of these items feature AWARE™ tracer technology, which embeds physical tracers into recycled materials so you can verify the sustainability claims.
And it's not just about materials. PerkUp also offers sustainable packaging options, including recyclable mailers and plastic-free packaging, so the eco-friendliness extends to the entire unboxing experience your recipients see.
What are some sustainable swag ideas for your next swag program?
On Demand swag catalog
The swag options we have below are available On Demand swag, meaning they're available with only a 1-unit minimum, with all-in pricing (includes the item, the shipping, taxes, customs, and duties), and are only produced when you place an order.
With PerkUp's On Demand catalog, you and your team can build a swag program where every single item, whether it's explicitly “sustainable” or not, avoids the environmental cost of overproduction simply by how it's ordered.
Sustainable options from PerkUp's On Demand swag catalog
Stanley/Stella Unisex Knoxer Crewneck Sweatshirt ($99.99)
A premium 400 GSM crewneck made from 80% GOTS-certified organic combed ring-spun cotton and 20% recycled polyester. Stanley/Stella is a Fair Wear Foundation member and one of the world's top five organic cotton buyers, with full supply chain traceability from seed to finished garment.
BELLA+CANVAS Unisex Heavyweight Garment-Dyed Long Sleeve Tee ($56.99)
A 100% ring-spun cotton tee produced in Platinum WRAP-certified facilities using bluesign-approved dyes that keep harmful chemicals out of waterways. The dense weave resists shrinkage and torquing, which means it holds its shape and stays in rotation longer. Each garment-dyed piece comes out slightly different, giving it a lived-in feel from day one.
Large Eco Tote | Econscious ($35.99)
Made from 100% organic cotton twill by Econscious, a 1% for the Planet member that donates 1% of every retail sale to environmental nonprofits. Spacious enough for groceries, event materials, or daily carry, and built to replace hundreds of disposable bags over its lifetime.
Stanley® 40oz The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate™ Tumbler ($119.99)
Made from 90% recycled stainless steel and designed to be the last tumbler your recipient ever needs. The Flowstate lid has three positions for sipping, the ergonomic handle makes it easy to carry, and it's fully dishwasher safe. It's become one of the most recognizable pieces of reusable drinkware out there for a reason.
YETI 26oz Water Bottle with Chug Cap ($48.99)
Double-wall vacuum insulated with kitchen-grade 18/8 stainless steel and a dishwasher-safe Chug Cap for quick, one-handed drinking. YETI builds products that people buy once and use for years, which makes the sustainability case pretty simple: fewer replacements, less waste.
Bulk swag catalog
If your team does need to order in volume for a large event or company-wide rollout, PerkUp's bulk catalog keeps that option sustainable, too! The difference is that bulk swag through PerkUp is sourced from suppliers who prioritize recycled materials, responsible manufacturing, and ethical sourcing. And because PerkUp's global warehouse network stores your bulk inventory locally, close to where your recipients actually are, you're still cutting down on long-distance shipping emissions even when ordering at scale.
Recycled drinkware
Reusable drinkware remains one of the most popular and practical eco-friendly swag categories for good reason. A single reusable bottle can replace hundreds of disposable cups over its lifetime, making it a tangible symbol of your company's sustainability commitment. Look for options made from recycled stainless steel or aluminum with FSC-certified bamboo lids.
Sustainable swag options from PerkUp’s catalog:
Ocean Bottle 350 ml Insulated Travel Mug ($42.23) - Made from 90% recycled stainless steel, this carbon-neutral travel mug keeps drinks hot for up to four hours and cold for up to ten. Each purchase funds the collection of 1,000 ocean-bound plastic bottles, directly supporting coastal communities.
TYESO AURA Insulated Travel Tumbler | 40 oz ($24.29) - A BPA-free, stainless steel tumbler built for daily reuse. At 40 oz, it's big enough to replace multiple disposable cups per day, and durable enough to keep doing it for years.
Nordic Drift Trail RCS Insulated Lockable Sports Bottle ($21.70) - Crafted from 79% RCS-certified recycled stainless steel with a durable powder-coated body. The lockable lid and dual drinking options make it leakproof for outdoor and daily use.
Organic cotton apparel
Branded apparel is a staple across both HR and marketing swag programs. Choosing organic cotton or recycled fabric options is a straightforward way to make these items greener. Heavyweight tees made from organic cotton and recycled polyester blends offer the same comfort and durability as conventional options, just with a smaller environmental footprint.
Sustainable swag options from PerkUp’s catalog:
iqoniq Teide Recycled Cotton T-Shirt ($9.77) - Made from 100% cotton (50% recycled, 50% organic) and verified through AWARE™ tracer and blockchain technology. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, and 2% of proceeds go to Water.org.
Gildan Adult Heavy Blend Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt ($22.49) - Made with 50% sustainably and fairly grown USA cotton, this hoodie is built to last through seasons of daily wear. The full-zip design makes it easy to layer, and the sturdy fleece means it won't need replacing anytime soon.
Stanley/Stella Unisex Rocker Tee ($8.72) - 100% GOTS-certified organic combed ring-spun cotton with a recycled polyester tear-away label. Stanley/Stella is one of the top five organic cotton buyers in the world and a Fair Wear Foundation member, so the sustainability credentials here run deep.
Recycled bags and backpacks
Tote bags and backpacks made from recycled PET bottles (rPET) are among the most visible sustainable promotional products you can choose. An anti-theft backpack made from rPET, for instance, can give new life to nearly 20 plastic bottles while offering recipients a genuinely useful, daily-carry item. Recycled cotton totes are another strong option; some models save over 900 liters of water per bag during production compared to conventional manufacturing.
Sustainable swag options from PerkUp’s catalog:
100% Cotton Canvas Tote Bag ($3.79) - At under $4, this heavyweight 12 oz cotton canvas tote is one of the most budget-friendly sustainable swag picks you can make. It's sturdy enough for daily grocery runs, events, and everyday carry, and it replaces disposable bags every time it's used.
Rivin Backpack ($45.59) - A sleek, everyday backpack with a recycled polyester exterior, padded laptop sleeve, and reflective safety pocket. It looks polished enough for client meetings and functions well enough for commutes and travel.
Moonyx Crossbody Bag ($26.59) - Made from 900D recycled polyester with a hidden phone pocket and heavy-duty webbing strap. At 5L, it's the right size for essentials without the bulk, great for urban commuters and event attendees who want to stay hands-free.
Eco-friendly tech items
Tech swag doesn't have to come at an environmental cost. Charging cables made from recycled aluminum, bamboo phone stands, and wheat straw-based accessories all provide everyday functionality while using sustainable materials. These items work particularly well in new hire kits, where an HR team wants to include something practical alongside the usual branded apparel.
Sustainable swag options from PerkUp’s catalog:
Rupt Ampx 6000 mAh Powerbank ($19.59) - A slim, pocket-sized charger housed in recycled ABS plastic. It's the kind of practical tech gift that gets tossed into a bag and used constantly, keeping recycled materials in daily rotation.
Echodeep Outside Noise Reduction Headphones ($30.99) - Foldable headphones with recycled ABS plastic housing and recycled plastic components throughout. Long battery life and soft ear pads make them a solid pick for focused work, travel, or just tuning out a noisy office.
Dipster IPX7 Waterproof Speaker ($26.59) - Built from recycled ABS plastic with true wireless pairing and a waterproof rating that can handle rain, pools, and beach trips. A fun, practical tech gift that happens to be made from materials that would've otherwise gone to waste.
Sustainable accessories
Your swag program doesn't stop at apparel and drinkware. The smaller items, like caps, blankets, and beanies, all send a signal about your company's values, too. And when even those everyday extras are made from recycled or lower-impact materials, it shows your recipients that sustainability isn't just a talking point for the big-ticket items.
Sustainable swag options from PerkUp’s catalog:
Dominate Ballcap ($7.19) - A lightweight polyester microfiber cap with a moisture-wicking finish that keeps things cool. The semi-structured crown and snapback closure give it a comfortable, broken-in feel right out of the box.
EcoSmart Oversized Coral Fleece Blanket ($20.49) - Made entirely from 100% recycled PET coral fleece, and backed by EcoSmart's 1% for the Planet partnership. One percent of sales goes to environmental nonprofits, so every blanket gifted is a blanket that gives back.
Pure Beanie ($13.19) - Knit from Polylana, a blend of recycled and virgin yarns that uses less energy and water to produce than conventional fibers. A simple, everyday beanie with a measurably lighter footprint.
Key Takeaways
Sustainability in corporate swag is about choosing a platform that builds greener practices into how it sources, stores, and ships, so your HR and marketing teams can focus on creating meaningful connections with employees, clients, and event attendees.
If your current swag setup involves shipping everything from one country, overordering to play it safe, or settling for products that end up in a landfill, it might be time to explore a better option. Book a demo with PerkUp and see how your team can start making sustainable swag the default.
Commonly Asked Questions About PerkUp’s Sustainability Approach
Can PerkUp source eco-friendly or sustainable products?
Yes, absolutely! PerkUp's catalog includes items made from organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled stainless steel, FSC-certified materials, and more. The platform can also curate collections specifically focused on sustainable products, and many items feature AWARE™ tracer technology to verify recycled content claims.
Does PerkUp have sustainability initiatives beyond products?
Definitely! PerkUp is part of Pledge 1%, a global movement where companies commit 1% of their equity, profit, product, or time to causes they care about. It also partners with Stripe Climate, directing a portion of every purchase toward permanent carbon removal technologies. These initiatives run in the background of every order, so your team benefits without needing to manage anything additional.
How does local fulfillment make swag more sustainable?
PerkUp's warehouse network across multiple continents allows orders to be sourced and shipped locally. This can reduce shipping-related carbon emissions by up to 95% compared to sending everything internationally from a single location. It also avoids customs delays, which can lead to returned shipments and additional waste.
Can I mix eco-friendly products with standard swag in a PerkUp swag store?
Yes. PerkUp lets you combine On Demand and bulk swag in the same store, and you can curate collections that mix sustainable items with other options. You can also create dedicated eco-friendly stores or collections for specific teams, events, or regions. This flexibility lets your team gradually transition toward greener options without overhauling your entire swag program at once.
Is sustainable swag more expensive?
Not necessarily. PerkUp's local sourcing model helps reduce shipping costs by up to 30%, which offsets any premium on sustainable materials. On Demand ordering also eliminates the cost of unused inventory, a common budget drain for HR and marketing teams that order in bulk. Many eco-friendly items are competitively priced, especially when you factor in their longer lifespan and higher recipient satisfaction.
If you're on an HR or marketing team responsible for swag, you already know how quickly orders add up. Welcome kits for new hires, giveaways for trade shows, milestone gifts for work anniversaries, branded apparel, and drinkware for company retreats. That’s a lot.
Now consider this: the US promotional products industry generates an estimated 22 billion items annually, and a significant portion of those items sometimes end up unused or thrown away. That's a lot of waste tied to swag programs you're managing.
And if your company has ESG commitments or your bosses and recipients are meticulous when it comes to sustainability, then it’s important for you to ensure that your swag program aligns with those values. The good news is that sending out sustainable swag is easy with the right platform and the right swag items, all while reducing your company's environmental footprint.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how PerkUp makes that possible.
Why should your HR and marketing teams care about sustainable swag?
Before we dive into the specifics of how PerkUp makes sending sustainable swag easy, let’s first discuss why you should choose eco-friendly swag in the first place.
Recipients want sustainable or eco-friendly swag
A Deloitte survey found that 69% of employees want their companies to invest in sustainability, and among Gen Z and millennial workers, that number jumps to 96%. Meanwhile, a First Insight article showed that 73% of Gen Z consumers prefer eco-conscious brands. Now, if you’re an HR manager running onboarding or recognition programs, or a marketing leader planning event swag, these numbers are hard to ignore.
Eco-friendly swag items are high-quality
There's a practical angle, too. Sustainable promotional products tend to be higher quality, which means your recipients actually keep and use them. That recycled stainless steel tumbler your marketing team hands out at a trade show? It's going to get daily use for years, keeping your logo front and center. The cheap plastic water bottle? It's heading to a landfill by the end of the week. For teams tracking ROI on swag spend, the math on environmentally friendly swag just works better.
Your swag should align with your company values
For marketing teams, there's a brand consistency issue. If your company's website talks about sustainability commitments but your trade show booth is handing out single-use plastic items, that disconnect doesn't go unnoticed. Your swag is a physical extension of your brand story, and making it sustainable keeps the message aligned across every touchpoint.
These reasons make things clear: your recipients expect sustainable swag, your event attendees notice eco-friendly items, and the ROI favors sustainable-related swag programs. But actually pulling off a sustainable swag program is a different story when you're juggling multiple vendors, shipping to different countries, and managing tight timelines. That's where having a swag platform with sustainability built into its operations makes all the difference. Instead of vetting every product and supplier yourself, you can work with a platform that's already done that work for you.
And that platform is PerkUp.
PerkUp is the Platform for Sustainable Swag at Scale
So what does it actually look like to run a sustainable swag program across multiple countries? For companies like Microsoft, Wise, PUBG, and DuckDuckGo, it looks like PerkUp.
PerkUp fulfills locally through warehouses across the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia, which means a swag order for your team in Berlin ships from Europe, not from across the Atlantic. That alone cuts shipping-related carbon emissions by up to 95%. On top of that, PerkUp's Pledge 1% commitment and Stripe Climate partnership mean every order funds environmental nonprofits and carbon removal technology.
In addition, PerkUp also integrates sustainability into its operational side, specifically through On Demand swag production (alongside bulk and warehousing for swag flexibility), so you only need to order the swag you need when you need it. With all of these, your HR and marketing teams get one platform that handles sourcing, fulfillment, and sustainability across every region.
That's the big picture. But how does each of these commitments play out in practice, and what do they actually mean for your swag program? Let's break them down in the next section.
How does PerkUp approach sustainability?
On Demand swag options reduce waste
Overproduction is one of the biggest environmental blind spots in corporate swag. When you order in bulk to play it safe, the leftovers take up warehouse space as well as represent raw materials extracted, energy consumed, and carbon emitted for products that never reach a recipient.
PerkUp's On Demand swag model addresses this by producing items only when someone places an order. This approach is especially useful if you’re part of an HR team managing onboarding swag, where new hires come in at different times throughout the year, and for marketing teams that need flexibility across events with varying attendee counts. It's one of the easiest ways to make your sustainable company swag program greener at the source.
PerkUp’s global warehousing and local fulfillment cut carbon emissions by up to 95%
If your team is sending swag to employees or event attendees across multiple countries, the shipping alone can generate a significant carbon footprint. PerkUp addresses this with a global warehouse network spanning the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia, allowing orders to be sourced and shipped locally whenever possible.
To put that in perspective: let’s say that shipping a package from New York to Paris produces approximately 2.92 kg of CO₂ per kilogram. On the other hand, if you’re shipping from Berlin to Paris, that’ll only produce 0.16 kg CO₂ per kilogram. That's a savings of 2.76 kg CO₂ per package!
Pledge 1%
Beyond its own operations, PerkUp is also part of Pledge 1%, committing a portion of its resources to social impact causes. For your team, that means every swag order you place through PerkUp supports a vendor that's actively giving back. If your company has its own CSR or ESG goals, that alignment matters when it comes time to justify vendor choices to leadership.
Stripe Climate partnership
In addition to Pledge 1%, PerkUp partners with Stripe Climate to allocate a portion of every swag purchase toward carbon removal technologies. The technologies funded through this initiative include direct air capture, ocean alkalinity enhancement, enhanced mineral weathering, and geologic carbon storage. Every swag order your team places through PerkUp contributes to building that demand, which is a compelling talking point if your leadership team asks what you're doing to support climate action through vendor choices.
Sustainable products in the catalog
PerkUp's catalog includes a growing selection of items specifically designed with sustainability in mind. You'll find products made from organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled stainless steel, FSC-certified materials, and other responsibly sourced materials. Many of these items feature AWARE™ tracer technology, which embeds physical tracers into recycled materials so you can verify the sustainability claims.
And it's not just about materials. PerkUp also offers sustainable packaging options, including recyclable mailers and plastic-free packaging, so the eco-friendliness extends to the entire unboxing experience your recipients see.
What are some sustainable swag ideas for your next swag program?
On Demand swag catalog
The swag options we have below are available On Demand swag, meaning they're available with only a 1-unit minimum, with all-in pricing (includes the item, the shipping, taxes, customs, and duties), and are only produced when you place an order.
With PerkUp's On Demand catalog, you and your team can build a swag program where every single item, whether it's explicitly “sustainable” or not, avoids the environmental cost of overproduction simply by how it's ordered.
Sustainable options from PerkUp's On Demand swag catalog
Stanley/Stella Unisex Knoxer Crewneck Sweatshirt ($99.99)
A premium 400 GSM crewneck made from 80% GOTS-certified organic combed ring-spun cotton and 20% recycled polyester. Stanley/Stella is a Fair Wear Foundation member and one of the world's top five organic cotton buyers, with full supply chain traceability from seed to finished garment.
BELLA+CANVAS Unisex Heavyweight Garment-Dyed Long Sleeve Tee ($56.99)
A 100% ring-spun cotton tee produced in Platinum WRAP-certified facilities using bluesign-approved dyes that keep harmful chemicals out of waterways. The dense weave resists shrinkage and torquing, which means it holds its shape and stays in rotation longer. Each garment-dyed piece comes out slightly different, giving it a lived-in feel from day one.
Large Eco Tote | Econscious ($35.99)
Made from 100% organic cotton twill by Econscious, a 1% for the Planet member that donates 1% of every retail sale to environmental nonprofits. Spacious enough for groceries, event materials, or daily carry, and built to replace hundreds of disposable bags over its lifetime.
Stanley® 40oz The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate™ Tumbler ($119.99)
Made from 90% recycled stainless steel and designed to be the last tumbler your recipient ever needs. The Flowstate lid has three positions for sipping, the ergonomic handle makes it easy to carry, and it's fully dishwasher safe. It's become one of the most recognizable pieces of reusable drinkware out there for a reason.
YETI 26oz Water Bottle with Chug Cap ($48.99)
Double-wall vacuum insulated with kitchen-grade 18/8 stainless steel and a dishwasher-safe Chug Cap for quick, one-handed drinking. YETI builds products that people buy once and use for years, which makes the sustainability case pretty simple: fewer replacements, less waste.
Bulk swag catalog
If your team does need to order in volume for a large event or company-wide rollout, PerkUp's bulk catalog keeps that option sustainable, too! The difference is that bulk swag through PerkUp is sourced from suppliers who prioritize recycled materials, responsible manufacturing, and ethical sourcing. And because PerkUp's global warehouse network stores your bulk inventory locally, close to where your recipients actually are, you're still cutting down on long-distance shipping emissions even when ordering at scale.
Recycled drinkware
Reusable drinkware remains one of the most popular and practical eco-friendly swag categories for good reason. A single reusable bottle can replace hundreds of disposable cups over its lifetime, making it a tangible symbol of your company's sustainability commitment. Look for options made from recycled stainless steel or aluminum with FSC-certified bamboo lids.
Sustainable swag options from PerkUp’s catalog:
Ocean Bottle 350 ml Insulated Travel Mug ($42.23) - Made from 90% recycled stainless steel, this carbon-neutral travel mug keeps drinks hot for up to four hours and cold for up to ten. Each purchase funds the collection of 1,000 ocean-bound plastic bottles, directly supporting coastal communities.
TYESO AURA Insulated Travel Tumbler | 40 oz ($24.29) - A BPA-free, stainless steel tumbler built for daily reuse. At 40 oz, it's big enough to replace multiple disposable cups per day, and durable enough to keep doing it for years.
Nordic Drift Trail RCS Insulated Lockable Sports Bottle ($21.70) - Crafted from 79% RCS-certified recycled stainless steel with a durable powder-coated body. The lockable lid and dual drinking options make it leakproof for outdoor and daily use.
Organic cotton apparel
Branded apparel is a staple across both HR and marketing swag programs. Choosing organic cotton or recycled fabric options is a straightforward way to make these items greener. Heavyweight tees made from organic cotton and recycled polyester blends offer the same comfort and durability as conventional options, just with a smaller environmental footprint.
Sustainable swag options from PerkUp’s catalog:
iqoniq Teide Recycled Cotton T-Shirt ($9.77) - Made from 100% cotton (50% recycled, 50% organic) and verified through AWARE™ tracer and blockchain technology. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, and 2% of proceeds go to Water.org.
Gildan Adult Heavy Blend Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt ($22.49) - Made with 50% sustainably and fairly grown USA cotton, this hoodie is built to last through seasons of daily wear. The full-zip design makes it easy to layer, and the sturdy fleece means it won't need replacing anytime soon.
Stanley/Stella Unisex Rocker Tee ($8.72) - 100% GOTS-certified organic combed ring-spun cotton with a recycled polyester tear-away label. Stanley/Stella is one of the top five organic cotton buyers in the world and a Fair Wear Foundation member, so the sustainability credentials here run deep.
Recycled bags and backpacks
Tote bags and backpacks made from recycled PET bottles (rPET) are among the most visible sustainable promotional products you can choose. An anti-theft backpack made from rPET, for instance, can give new life to nearly 20 plastic bottles while offering recipients a genuinely useful, daily-carry item. Recycled cotton totes are another strong option; some models save over 900 liters of water per bag during production compared to conventional manufacturing.
Sustainable swag options from PerkUp’s catalog:
100% Cotton Canvas Tote Bag ($3.79) - At under $4, this heavyweight 12 oz cotton canvas tote is one of the most budget-friendly sustainable swag picks you can make. It's sturdy enough for daily grocery runs, events, and everyday carry, and it replaces disposable bags every time it's used.
Rivin Backpack ($45.59) - A sleek, everyday backpack with a recycled polyester exterior, padded laptop sleeve, and reflective safety pocket. It looks polished enough for client meetings and functions well enough for commutes and travel.
Moonyx Crossbody Bag ($26.59) - Made from 900D recycled polyester with a hidden phone pocket and heavy-duty webbing strap. At 5L, it's the right size for essentials without the bulk, great for urban commuters and event attendees who want to stay hands-free.
Eco-friendly tech items
Tech swag doesn't have to come at an environmental cost. Charging cables made from recycled aluminum, bamboo phone stands, and wheat straw-based accessories all provide everyday functionality while using sustainable materials. These items work particularly well in new hire kits, where an HR team wants to include something practical alongside the usual branded apparel.
Sustainable swag options from PerkUp’s catalog:
Rupt Ampx 6000 mAh Powerbank ($19.59) - A slim, pocket-sized charger housed in recycled ABS plastic. It's the kind of practical tech gift that gets tossed into a bag and used constantly, keeping recycled materials in daily rotation.
Echodeep Outside Noise Reduction Headphones ($30.99) - Foldable headphones with recycled ABS plastic housing and recycled plastic components throughout. Long battery life and soft ear pads make them a solid pick for focused work, travel, or just tuning out a noisy office.
Dipster IPX7 Waterproof Speaker ($26.59) - Built from recycled ABS plastic with true wireless pairing and a waterproof rating that can handle rain, pools, and beach trips. A fun, practical tech gift that happens to be made from materials that would've otherwise gone to waste.
Sustainable accessories
Your swag program doesn't stop at apparel and drinkware. The smaller items, like caps, blankets, and beanies, all send a signal about your company's values, too. And when even those everyday extras are made from recycled or lower-impact materials, it shows your recipients that sustainability isn't just a talking point for the big-ticket items.
Sustainable swag options from PerkUp’s catalog:
Dominate Ballcap ($7.19) - A lightweight polyester microfiber cap with a moisture-wicking finish that keeps things cool. The semi-structured crown and snapback closure give it a comfortable, broken-in feel right out of the box.
EcoSmart Oversized Coral Fleece Blanket ($20.49) - Made entirely from 100% recycled PET coral fleece, and backed by EcoSmart's 1% for the Planet partnership. One percent of sales goes to environmental nonprofits, so every blanket gifted is a blanket that gives back.
Pure Beanie ($13.19) - Knit from Polylana, a blend of recycled and virgin yarns that uses less energy and water to produce than conventional fibers. A simple, everyday beanie with a measurably lighter footprint.
Key Takeaways
Sustainability in corporate swag is about choosing a platform that builds greener practices into how it sources, stores, and ships, so your HR and marketing teams can focus on creating meaningful connections with employees, clients, and event attendees.
If your current swag setup involves shipping everything from one country, overordering to play it safe, or settling for products that end up in a landfill, it might be time to explore a better option. Book a demo with PerkUp and see how your team can start making sustainable swag the default.
Commonly Asked Questions About PerkUp’s Sustainability Approach
Can PerkUp source eco-friendly or sustainable products?
Yes, absolutely! PerkUp's catalog includes items made from organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled stainless steel, FSC-certified materials, and more. The platform can also curate collections specifically focused on sustainable products, and many items feature AWARE™ tracer technology to verify recycled content claims.
Does PerkUp have sustainability initiatives beyond products?
Definitely! PerkUp is part of Pledge 1%, a global movement where companies commit 1% of their equity, profit, product, or time to causes they care about. It also partners with Stripe Climate, directing a portion of every purchase toward permanent carbon removal technologies. These initiatives run in the background of every order, so your team benefits without needing to manage anything additional.
How does local fulfillment make swag more sustainable?
PerkUp's warehouse network across multiple continents allows orders to be sourced and shipped locally. This can reduce shipping-related carbon emissions by up to 95% compared to sending everything internationally from a single location. It also avoids customs delays, which can lead to returned shipments and additional waste.
Can I mix eco-friendly products with standard swag in a PerkUp swag store?
Yes. PerkUp lets you combine On Demand and bulk swag in the same store, and you can curate collections that mix sustainable items with other options. You can also create dedicated eco-friendly stores or collections for specific teams, events, or regions. This flexibility lets your team gradually transition toward greener options without overhauling your entire swag program at once.
Is sustainable swag more expensive?
Not necessarily. PerkUp's local sourcing model helps reduce shipping costs by up to 30%, which offsets any premium on sustainable materials. On Demand ordering also eliminates the cost of unused inventory, a common budget drain for HR and marketing teams that order in bulk. Many eco-friendly items are competitively priced, especially when you factor in their longer lifespan and higher recipient satisfaction.
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export default function CarouselFixer() {
useEffect(() => {
// Wait for CMS content to render
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style.overflowX === "scroll" ||
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htmlEl.scrollWidth > htmlEl.clientWidth
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attachScrollBehavior(htmlEl)
}
})
})
}
const attachScrollBehavior = (el: HTMLElement) => {
// Prevent double-attaching
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el.style.userSelect = "none"
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let startX = 0
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const onMouseDown = (e: MouseEvent) => {
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