Top eco-friendly swag ideas for 2025

Sustainability is the hottest trend in 2025. Explore how it’s reshaping corporate gifting—and our top eco-friendly swag ideas to match.

A few years ago, we printed branded flyers on plantable paper and handed them out at a conference. It was nothing unusual until participants realized they contained plant seeds. Instead of tossing the flyers after use, attendees could put them in soil and watch wildflowers grow. Thus, we turned the usually thrown-away cards into interactive and engaging eco-friendly swag and showed Swag42’s commitment to sustainability.

This story illustrates today’s shift in corporate merchandise trends: sustainability is a deciding factor in how people perceive brands. In fact, 71% of consumers make sustainable purchase decisions in 2025 (Consumer Sustainability Survey by Specright).

Employees, clients, and partners increasingly care about what a product is made of and what happens after its use. And the reality of 2025 is that biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable gifts are a must.

So, how can companies align their corporate gifting strategy with this eco-conscious movement? Let’s explore the best eco-friendly swag ideas for 2025 and their use cases.

Sustainable branded clothing

Corporate branded apparel, which accounts for a large part of the corporate gifting market, is undergoing a major shift. Sustainability is now driving purchasing decisions. Employees, clients, and partners want gifts that reflect eco-conscious values, and companies respond by moving away from mass-produced basics toward responsible materials. 

Organic cotton customized T-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts

For branded T-shirts, hoodies, and polos, organic cotton is increasingly seen as the “standard” for companies that want their swag to align with modern values.

Why organic cotton is trending:

• It’s grown with significantly less water compared to conventional cotton.
  
• Farmers avoid using toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, making it safer for the environment and workers.
  
• The final fabric is softer, more durable, and hypoallergenic—qualities that consumers associate with premium apparel.
• 100% organic cotton is more recyclable than blended materials.
  
• Choosing organic cotton reduces a company’s carbon footprint and supports sustainable farming communities.
  

These benefits reflect environmental responsibility and strengthen brand perception among eco-aware employees, clients, and partners. To emphasize its impact, make your eco-friendly swag stand out with a green slogan and a custom label that shows what makes it sustainable, like organic cotton or low-water production. 

Raw denim jackets and jumpsuits

Unlike pre-washed denim, raw denim is left untreated after weaving, which significantly reduces the water and chemical footprint during production. This results in a tough, durable fabric that develops a unique look over time as it wears and washes out.

For corporate swag, raw denim custom corporate clothes, like jackets, totes, and jumpsuits, offer durability and authenticity. They signal quality and align a brand with slow fashion principles, where longevity and individuality matter more than mass-produced sameness. 

Denim also never goes out of style—timeless, universal, and desirable across generations, it fits seamlessly into wardrobes and works in almost any situation. Raw denim branded apparel is something employees and clients will enjoy for years.

Bamboo T-shirts, long sleeves, and socks

Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource—an ideal option for sustainable swag. It can grow to 91 cm (36 inches) within 24 hours! The plant regenerates without pesticides or artificial irrigation, making it one of the most renewable resources. Naturally breathable, lightweight, silky-soft, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic, it offers excellent thermoregulation, making it perfect for long trips, active days, or everyday comfort.

Recycled eco-leather 

People appreciate sustainability, but when combined with personalized style, unique designer touch, and high quality, it’s the absolute bomb.

For example, these handmade, eco-friendly sneakers from Portugal blend all these elements. They’re made from vegan leather and are 100% recyclable, waterproof, breathable, and lightweight. Not only do they look great, but they also show care for the environment. Plus, the design and branding are custom-created for you.

Reusable drinkware

Custom drinkware is one of Swag42’s most popular categories in sustainable corporate swag. Branded bottles and tumblers are practical, eco-friendly gifts that employees and clients will actually use.

Tritan bottles are a standout choice. Made from the safest and healthiest plastic, they’re BPA-free, fully recyclable, and even approved for infant bottles in Europe and the U.S. 

Tritan products resist high temperatures, drops, and scratches, meaning they last longer and help reduce plastic waste. Their ergonomic design makes them easy to clean, carry, and fit into most cup holders.

Customized Stanley tumblers are another hit. They are crafted with a 90% recycled stainless steel body and a BPA-free lid. Beyond being durable, they’re also fashionable, making them one of the most desirable drinkware options right now.

Thermo bottles of recycled stainless steel are also an innovative and more budget-friendly pick. They keep drinks hot or cold for hours, offer plenty of branding space, and align with eco-friendly values.

Reusable shoppers

Reusable shoppers are a practical and eco-friendly alternative to single-use bags, making them one of the most versatile options for corporate swag. They combine everyday functionality with strong branding opportunities, aligning your company with sustainable values.

The Marina Bag in the picture above is crafted from thick 100% organic cotton canvas (340 GSM), giving it impressive durability and a premium feel. Details like the wooden toggle and sturdy cotton handles add a simple, natural aesthetic that fits into daily life—from office commutes to grocery runs.

Use custom shoppers as a no-waste packaging solution for welcome kits or holiday gift sets. Simply place other branded items inside the bag and skip unnecessary paper or plastic packaging.

Everyday essentials

Planted notebooks and cards

People like the feeling of doing good for the planet. The planted notebook below is practical, engaging, and symbolic. Made with grass paper and pine seeds embedded in the cover, it reduces the use of traditional wooden resources and gives back to nature. Once used, the cover can be planted—later it grows into lavender, tomato, or wildflowers.

The same applies to plantable greeting cards; they are a great company for the main gift that adds personalization and interactivity.

Recycled canvas notebooks

Another eco-friendly swag is a recycled canvas notebook. Crafted with 91% recycled content, this notebook features 80 lined sheets, a PU strap, and a magnetic closure. The eco-friendly cotton canvas cover makes it stylish, practical, and planet-friendly.

Biodegradable and recycled pens

Pens may seem old-school and dull, but choosing recycled or biodegradable options turns them into a sustainability statement. When made from recycled plastics or biodegradable biopolymers, these pens reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. With large printable surfaces, they also make your brand visible at a low cost.

The eco-friendly pen to the left is made from iopolymer (PHA), which biodegrades wholly and quickly in natural environments. The Parker pen to the right is made of 51% recycled materials.

Thermoplastic and recycled steel lunch boxes

The blue lunchbox set is designed and produced by Koziol, a German eco-conscious manufacturer. Made from thermoplastic, it is 100% CO2 neutral, recyclable, and food-safe, ensuring meals are free from harmful chemicals. Thermoplastic processing takes up to 90% less energy than glass, ceramics, or aluminium production.

Separated compartments enable your clients or employees to take a healthy, varied lunch on the go, including raw salads and warm food.

Eco-friendly office set: notebook, mug, and pen

This stylish and sustainable office gift set is made from eco-friendly wheat straw and PP. It includes a travel mug, an A6 lined notebook with a flexible cover, and a pen with blue ink — perfect for conscious branding. The set is individually packed in a craft box with a printed design.

Paper-tube lip balm 

Eco-friendly lip balms in recycled paper tubes cut plastic waste while offering a practical, everyday essential. With natural vanilla flavor and SPF15 protection, they’re compact, lightweight, and easy to carry.

Cork case school set

Made from sustainable cork, the case includes everyday essentials: a 15 cm ruler, pen, unsharpened pencil, eraser, and sharpener. The natural texture gives it a modern, eco-friendly look, while the compact design makes it easy to carry in any backpack.

Key sustainability statistics for 2025

• 72% of global shoppers say they’re open to paying more for sustainable products, especially Millennials and Gen Z,  according to Accio.
• 62% of global consumers care deeply about climate change, favoring products that reduce environmental impact, as reported by Mindforce.
• Products labeled “sustainable” are growing 2.7 times faster in market share. Sustainable goods now take 17% of the market and account for 32% of market growth, according to TheRoundUp.

These numbers show the urgency for brands to integrate sustainability into their products, packaging, and messaging. Sustainability is more than a trend—it’s a movement. Join this movement and let your brand shine through eco-friendly gifting.