GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Promotional Products Industry Statistics

Majority embrace sustainability; consumers value eco-friendly promotional products.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

52% of promotional products companies have a dedicated sustainability or green initiative team

Statistic 2

53% of promotional companies invest in employee training on sustainability practices

Statistic 3

44% of consumers think that promotional items made with sustainable materials are more valuable

Statistic 4

The most common eco-labels on promotional products include FSC, Green Seal, and OEKO-TEX

Statistic 5

60% of promotional products firms consider certifications like FSC and GRS essential for credibility

Statistic 6

65% of consumers prefer to purchase from brands with sustainable initiatives

Statistic 7

The global promotional products market is projected to reach $29.87 billion by 2026, with sustainability being a key growth driver

Statistic 8

Bamboo, recycled plastics, and organic cotton are the top three sustainable materials used in promotional products

Statistic 9

60% of promotional product companies report that sustainable products lead to increased customer engagement

Statistic 10

45% of clients are willing to pay a premium for sustainable promotional items

Statistic 11

Recycled paper-based products are among the most popular sustainable promotional items

Statistic 12

68% of promotional product companies believe sustainability will be a key differentiator in future market success

Statistic 13

The use of plant-based dyes in promotional products has increased by 40% over the last three years

Statistic 14

39% of promotional product campaigns include a sustainability message or eco-friendly branding

Statistic 15

Eco-friendly promotional products contribute to brand loyalty, with 70% of consumers stating they prefer brands that promote sustainability

Statistic 16

65% of promotional item manufacturers report an increase in demand for sustainable products over the past five years

Statistic 17

The number of promotional products made from renewable resources increased by 35% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 18

Reusable promotional products are increasingly popular, with a 40% rise in demand over the last three years

Statistic 19

62% of promotional product buyers prefer items that are sustainably sourced

Statistic 20

The demand for vegan and cruelty-free promotional products grew by 22% in 2023

Statistic 21

58% of consumers are more likely to keep promotional items that are eco-friendly and functional

Statistic 22

78% of promotional product companies have implemented some form of sustainable practices

Statistic 23

42% of consumers are more likely to retain promotional items made from eco-friendly materials

Statistic 24

83% of promotional product companies are exploring sustainable materials for their products

Statistic 25

70% of promotional product manufacturers have invested in eco-certifications

Statistic 26

55% of companies measure the environmental impact of their promotional products

Statistic 27

48% of promotional product companies have reduced plastic packaging by an average of 30% over the last two years

Statistic 28

30% of promotional product companies offer biodegradable or compostable items

Statistic 29

40% of promotional items are now produced with at least 25% recycled content

Statistic 30

54% of promotional product designers have incorporated sustainability criteria into their design processes

Statistic 31

Consumer surveys indicate that 77% of recipients of sustainable promotional items associate the brand with environmental responsibility

Statistic 32

83% of promotional product companies plan to increase their sustainable product offerings in the next year

Statistic 33

The use of biodegradable plastics in promo products increased by 25% in 2023 compared to the previous year

Statistic 34

56% of promotional companies have adopted an environmental management system (EMS)

Statistic 35

67% of promotional product suppliers are actively seeking sustainable raw material suppliers

Statistic 36

47% of promotional product companies have adopted eco-friendly manufacturing practices such as water conservation and energy efficiency

Statistic 37

25% of promotional items are now made with upcycled materials

Statistic 38

40% of promotional product companies offer digital or virtual promotional items to reduce material consumption

Statistic 39

52% of promotional companies track the carbon footprint of their product lifecycle

Statistic 40

63% of promotional companies educate clients about the importance of sustainability in their promotional campaigns

Statistic 41

72% of promotional product companies have received awards or recognition for their sustainability initiatives

Statistic 42

54% of promotional items have a life span of less than one year, emphasizing the need for sustainable disposal solutions

Statistic 43

46% of promotional product companies have established partnerships with environmental nonprofits

Statistic 44

49% of promotional product manufacturers have integrated sustainable packaging solutions, such as paper or plant-based plastics, into their offerings

Statistic 45

29% of promotional products are now certified compostable

Statistic 46

The adoption of eco-friendly inks in promotional printing increased by 55% over the last three years

Statistic 47

37% of promotional product companies have corporate sustainability goals aligned with global frameworks like the UN SDGs

Statistic 48

65% of promotional product companies are aiming to offset their carbon emissions through various programs

Statistic 49

44% of promotional products are now being produced through fair trade practices, ensuring ethical labor standards

Statistic 50

The average lifespan of a promotional product has decreased from 3 years to less than 1 year, increasing the importance of sustainable disposal

Statistic 51

50% of promotional product companies are exploring the use of blockchain to verify sustainability claims

Statistic 52

70% of promotional product buyers consider sustainability as a decisive factor in supplier selection

Statistic 53

54% of promotional product companies have increased their investment in sustainable R&D over the last three years

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Key Highlights

78% of promotional product companies have implemented some form of sustainable practices
65% of consumers prefer to purchase from brands with sustainable initiatives
The global promotional products market is projected to reach $29.87 billion by 2026, with sustainability being a key growth driver
52% of promotional products companies have a dedicated sustainability or green initiative team
42% of consumers are more likely to retain promotional items made from eco-friendly materials
83% of promotional product companies are exploring sustainable materials for their products
Bamboo, recycled plastics, and organic cotton are the top three sustainable materials used in promotional products
60% of promotional product companies report that sustainable products lead to increased customer engagement
45% of clients are willing to pay a premium for sustainable promotional items
Recycled paper-based products are among the most popular sustainable promotional items
70% of promotional product manufacturers have invested in eco-certifications
The most common eco-labels on promotional products include FSC, Green Seal, and OEKO-TEX
55% of companies measure the environmental impact of their promotional products

With 78% of promotional product companies embracing sustainable practices and consumers increasingly preferring eco-friendly brands, the promotional products industry is experiencing a transformative shift towards sustainability that is shaping its future growth and brand loyalty.

Company Initiatives and Strategic Goals

52% of promotional products companies have a dedicated sustainability or green initiative team
53% of promotional companies invest in employee training on sustainability practices

Company Initiatives and Strategic Goals Interpretation

With over half of promotional products companies establishing dedicated sustainability teams and investing in employee training, the industry is clearly charting a greener course—proving that environmental responsibility is no longer just a trend, but a fundamental part of business strategy.

Consumer Preferences

44% of consumers think that promotional items made with sustainable materials are more valuable

Consumer Preferences Interpretation

With nearly half of consumers placing greater value on sustainable promotional products, it's clear that eco-friendly initiatives are not just ethical choices but smart business strategies in the modern marketplace.

Eco-Friendly Materials and Certifications

The most common eco-labels on promotional products include FSC, Green Seal, and OEKO-TEX
60% of promotional products firms consider certifications like FSC and GRS essential for credibility

Eco-Friendly Materials and Certifications Interpretation

With 60% of promotional products firms deeming certifications like FSC and GRS essential for credibility, it's clear that in the eco-conscious marketplace, green badges are now as crucial as the products themselves—no pressure, but your logo might soon carry more weight than your slogan.

Market Trends and Consumer Preferences

65% of consumers prefer to purchase from brands with sustainable initiatives
The global promotional products market is projected to reach $29.87 billion by 2026, with sustainability being a key growth driver
Bamboo, recycled plastics, and organic cotton are the top three sustainable materials used in promotional products
60% of promotional product companies report that sustainable products lead to increased customer engagement
45% of clients are willing to pay a premium for sustainable promotional items
Recycled paper-based products are among the most popular sustainable promotional items
68% of promotional product companies believe sustainability will be a key differentiator in future market success
The use of plant-based dyes in promotional products has increased by 40% over the last three years
39% of promotional product campaigns include a sustainability message or eco-friendly branding
Eco-friendly promotional products contribute to brand loyalty, with 70% of consumers stating they prefer brands that promote sustainability
65% of promotional item manufacturers report an increase in demand for sustainable products over the past five years
The number of promotional products made from renewable resources increased by 35% between 2020 and 2023
Reusable promotional products are increasingly popular, with a 40% rise in demand over the last three years
62% of promotional product buyers prefer items that are sustainably sourced
The demand for vegan and cruelty-free promotional products grew by 22% in 2023
58% of consumers are more likely to keep promotional items that are eco-friendly and functional

Market Trends and Consumer Preferences Interpretation

As sustainability becomes a marquee differentiator in the rising $29.87 billion promotional products market, brands that embrace eco-friendly materials, messaging, and reusable designs are not only winning consumer loyalty—65% prefer to buy from green initiatives—but also shaping the future where eco-conscious choices turn profit into purpose.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

78% of promotional product companies have implemented some form of sustainable practices
42% of consumers are more likely to retain promotional items made from eco-friendly materials
83% of promotional product companies are exploring sustainable materials for their products
70% of promotional product manufacturers have invested in eco-certifications
55% of companies measure the environmental impact of their promotional products
48% of promotional product companies have reduced plastic packaging by an average of 30% over the last two years
30% of promotional product companies offer biodegradable or compostable items
40% of promotional items are now produced with at least 25% recycled content
54% of promotional product designers have incorporated sustainability criteria into their design processes
Consumer surveys indicate that 77% of recipients of sustainable promotional items associate the brand with environmental responsibility
83% of promotional product companies plan to increase their sustainable product offerings in the next year
The use of biodegradable plastics in promo products increased by 25% in 2023 compared to the previous year
56% of promotional companies have adopted an environmental management system (EMS)
67% of promotional product suppliers are actively seeking sustainable raw material suppliers
47% of promotional product companies have adopted eco-friendly manufacturing practices such as water conservation and energy efficiency
25% of promotional items are now made with upcycled materials
40% of promotional product companies offer digital or virtual promotional items to reduce material consumption
52% of promotional companies track the carbon footprint of their product lifecycle
63% of promotional companies educate clients about the importance of sustainability in their promotional campaigns
72% of promotional product companies have received awards or recognition for their sustainability initiatives
54% of promotional items have a life span of less than one year, emphasizing the need for sustainable disposal solutions
46% of promotional product companies have established partnerships with environmental nonprofits
49% of promotional product manufacturers have integrated sustainable packaging solutions, such as paper or plant-based plastics, into their offerings
29% of promotional products are now certified compostable
The adoption of eco-friendly inks in promotional printing increased by 55% over the last three years
37% of promotional product companies have corporate sustainability goals aligned with global frameworks like the UN SDGs
65% of promotional product companies are aiming to offset their carbon emissions through various programs
44% of promotional products are now being produced through fair trade practices, ensuring ethical labor standards
The average lifespan of a promotional product has decreased from 3 years to less than 1 year, increasing the importance of sustainable disposal
50% of promotional product companies are exploring the use of blockchain to verify sustainability claims
70% of promotional product buyers consider sustainability as a decisive factor in supplier selection
54% of promotional product companies have increased their investment in sustainable R&D over the last three years

Sustainability and Environmental Impact Interpretation

As the promotional products industry accelerates towards sustainability—with over four-fifths adopting eco practices and nearly half actively reducing plastic waste—it's clear that brands can't just label their swag "green" anymore without backing it up, as consumer awareness and environmental metrics now make eco-friendly promotions a necessary badge of corporate responsibility rather than a passing trend.