The 10 Best B Corp Giveaways For Events

Blog
7 minute read 1 Aug 2024
Woman at registration desk handing with tote bags handing badge to man in suit
As sustainable products are becoming increasingly popular, the terms ​‘green’ and ​‘giveaway’ are beginning to co-exist. Now, with so many items that are either reusable, recyclable or even plantable (yes, plantable), and the rise of B Corps — there’s no reason for your swag bags to not live up to your brand and the planet. So, all that’s let to do is choose a sustainable product your attendees really want. We’ve rounded up the best B Corp gift items that won’t end up in landfill post-event. 


The power of sustainable event gifts

Promotional giveaways are a tool for creating lasting impressions, delighting attendees, drawing people to an event or stand, as well building brand image. Everyone loves a freebie (that’s a proven psychological fact) but we can all agree we’d rather give gifts that are treasured, not trashed. 

Promotional products should make an impact especially in the sea of brands that is an exhibition. One way to do this is with a sustainable approach. Gifts for good or green gifts help to align your brand with impact. In fact, they can make a difference to how an attendee is sustainable in their everyday work and personal life if education is a part of the gifting process. For example including a corporate workshop at your event to plant a herb garden, terrariums, or desktop plants for attendees to takeaway and use in their homes. This not only educates them on looking after plants or growing at home, improves wellbeing, and also creates a personal memory that will stay with them in the long term, along with a branded plant pot that can popped onto the recipient’s work desk.


The sustainable giveaway checklist: 


  • Will the merchandise be used or is it just a gimmick? When gifting to attendees there’s often a wide range of audience members that won’t appreciate a gimmick. Opt for either the practical; solar powered charging banks, refillable hand sanitisers, reusable tumblers and lunchboxes that’ll come in handy. Or for some edible treats!

  • Is it good quality? The key part is thinking of the lifespan of the gift so, even if the attendee loves the gift, it won’t matter if it breaks after one use.

  • Is the gift made locally? Contribute to your local community while reducing transport footprint. 

  • Is the packaging sustainable? Use gifts that don’t include single use plastics or paper in their packaging. Bonus points if it is made from recycled materials as well as being recyclable or biodegradable.

  • Is the supplier itself sustainable? Do they have transparent accounts or certifications of ethical and eco-friendly production practices. B Corp is one certification that helps you to choose a company that has been verified on a range of factors including impact on workers and planet.


10 B Corporations to shop for promotional merch and gifting

Buying from a certified B Corporation ensures your gifts are purpose driven. Here’s ten B Corp verified companies providing thoughtful gifts your attendees, employees, and sustainability teams will love. 

1. Social Supermarket gift cards allow recipients to choose their gift themselves from 2,000 social impact finds. Social Supermarket’s mission is to connect conscious buyers with innovative Social Enterprise brands. (Best practice for sustainable practice is a zero waste gift such as a digital gift card to a B Corp shop, membership to an eco-friendly organisation, or a donation or tree in the attendee’s name).

2. The Tartan Blanket Co. creates gift bundles made up of cosy items perfect for holiday events. Choose from beautiful wool throws, picnic blankets, and scarves, as well as mugs and candles. Their recycled wool blanket saves an average of 6 garments from landfill.

3. Honeywell Bakes’ branded biscuits and baking kits and subscriptions are baked and packaged in the heart of of the countryside, using local ingredients wherever possible. They are partnered with Farm Africa and 1% for the planet, meaning every sales contributes to charity.

4. Fluid Branding’s seed paper products. With a mission to create more than just merchandise but a lasting impression, Fluid Branding offers a range of plantable seed paper products from business cards, to pens, and even branded playing card sets. The 2‑in‑1 gifts can be given a second life by being planted. 

5. Upcircle Beauty’s tube squeezer key is one of those practical tools that recipients will end up using in their to squeeze out some sustainability in their everyday life. The key reduces waist by squeezing every last drop of products in aluminium tubes. Pair with some of Upcircle’s coffee based products for a sustainable bundle that introduces attendees to a better way forward for beauty — with Upcircle’s mission to find a better use for the 500,000 tonnes of coffee grounds thrown away each year in the UK.

6. UnWrapIt provide an unconventional, 100% digital approach to corporate gifting with a customisable digital gifting platform where attendees can claim their gift online. As well as taking waste and logistics out of the equation, attendees can choose a gift they’ll really love from a range of shortlisted options. It provides you with valuable real-time data so you know what gifts makes your attendees happy.

7. Merchery is a sustainable corporate gift supplier that truly combines function and aesthetic that will ensure your attendee’s gifts don’t end up unused and hidden in a drawer. Everything from stylish caps to custom drink ware and lunch boxes.

8. Love Cocoa’s chocolate gift sets. What’s better than chocolate? Sustainable chocolate. With a mission to create climate friendly chocolate, through sustainable production, tree planting, and pledging 1% of their annual sales to the planet; Love Cocoa creates thoughtfully packaged and produced chocolate gifts in adventurous flavours.

9. Project Merchandise’s Desktop Garden. The Desktop grow kit is an experience and branded gift in one with the option of a herb seed mix or wildflower seed mix for the recipient to exercise their green thumb. Brightening up a workspace is the perfect gift if you are planning an event for employees.

10. Sprout World produces plantable pencils that can be provided to your conference guests. Guests can take them home and plant them as flowers, herbs, or trees after use. Ideal for marketing events, conferences, and corporate gifts, the pencils and their packaging are customisable so you can add event slogans and branding. As a B Corp, they track the CO2 emissions from the production of the pencil to its second life to ensure your event’s climate calculations are accurate. 

Broadsword is a full service events agency trusted by global brands as a partner for B2B, B2C, and B2E events. We are a B Corp that puts sustainability at the centre of our operations and event planning — from production to gifting. Get in touch for expert guidance on attendee engagement, innovative exhibition and event design, and sustainable conference planning. 

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