The Promo Distributor’s Guide to Selling Sustainability
The demand for sustainable products is growing strong. In fact, 60% of global consumers say sustainability is a top purchase consideration, per the Global Sustainability Study 2021 by Simon-Kucher & Partners.
Not an eco-friendly expert? That’s okay! ASI supplier Raining Rose Promos is here to help. With this sustainability guide by your side, you’ll be able to speak to any client about promos that give back to our planet, as well as recommend the perfect products for their next project.
Why It Matters:
Sustainable Talking Points
There are many reasons why businesses should invest in sustainable promos – they just might not be aware of them. Steer conversations in a productive direction by educating clients on the positive impact sustainable items will have on their business, brand goals and the planet at large.
- Reduce "Brandfill"
Promo products can get a bad reputation for being low-quality items that are thrown away before clogging up landfills. However, suppliers have switched up their product offerings drastically over the decades to speak to this concern. Case in point: High-quality, recyclable products that will be held onto longer and produce less waste. - High Perceived Value
Consumers view sustainable products as premium items that are worth paying more for. This is great for clients who sell branded items directly to consumers but applies to free giveaways too. Recipients will recognize they got a top-quality product for free, which not only increases brand appreciation, but also shows your clients can be counted on for quality. - Sustainable Company Initiatives
Many businesses have made pledges to ramp up environmental efforts, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Suggest these clients swap out non-sustainable promos with sustainable items, as this is a simple way to make progress on eco-friendly goals for very little effort. - Consumer Expectations
While sustainable products might have been a nice perk in the past, today’s consumers don’t just appreciate sustainable goods; they expect them. Many end-users will simply avoid engaging with a brand if they aren’t offering eco-friendly items. Make sure this doesn’t happen to your clients by recommending they invest in sustainable promos instead. - Appeal to Young Demographics
Gen Z and millennials are leading the charge on environmental efforts and care deeply about protecting our planet into the future. If your clients want to appeal to younger generations, investing in sustainable promos is an absolute must.
Sell This:
Sustainable Product Recommendations
Now that your clients understand the benefits of sustainable promos, let’s get into the products you should present. No matter what kind of promotional project they have coming up on the calendar, Raining Rose Promos has sustainable options to complement their plans.
Opens in a new window.Sustainabalm (PLB-SB)
Not only is this lip balm made from responsibly sourced materials, but the tube itself is also constructed with recycled post-consumer plastic and potato bio-resin, making this an excellent self-promo item for eco-friendly activities.
Recommended for:
- Earth Day promotions
- Volunteer environmental cleanup events
- Sustainable initiative announcements
- Trade shows and conventions
Opens in a new window.0.6-oz. Mineral SPF 30 Sun Stick
(MSS-SS)
This mineral-based sunscreen couldn’t be easier to apply, thanks to its unique shape. Not only is it made with 100% zinc oxide for natural sun protection, it also includes skin-friendly ingredients like beeswax and coconut oil.
Recommended for:
- Hotels and resorts
- Costal bars and restaurants
- National, state and local parks
- Gyms, fitness studios and pool clubs
Opens in a new window.Carry-On Kit (SET-CO)
Have promo, will travel! This eco-friendly bag is made from PETA plastic and hemp and is completely TSA-approved. The earth-friendly benefits continue inside, as all products included are made in the USA from sustainably sourced materials.
Recommended for:
- Airlines
- Travel agencies
- Home-sharing and rental services
- Corporate clients with traveling sales teams
Opens in a new window.DIY Lip Balm Kit
(SET-DIYLB)
This interactive DIY kit is a great way to get end-users to really engage with your client’s brand and their eco-friendly message. Everything in this kit can be recycled*, and the raw ingredients are all sustainably sourced.
* Note: Silver spatulas are recyclable in some states, but not all.
Recommended for:
- Holiday parties
- Employee appreciation gifts
- Team building or ice breaker exercises
- Direct mail campaigns
Exceed Expectations:
How Your Supplier Can Help
Did you know you can maximize your clients’ impact on our planet even more, simply by ordering from a supplier with their own sustainable initiatives? Just take a look at Raining Rose Promos, for example. Let your clients know that every order they place has even more potential to help our planet, thanks to sustainable programs like:
B-Corp Certification
This important designation means that a business is proven to be meeting high standards for factors like employee benefits, charitable giving, supply chain practices and input materials. Not only does it mean you can trust your supplier for quality and ethical business practices, but it also allows your clients to show their commitment to supporting the highest standard for promo manufacturing and business practices.
Did You Know?
When Raining Rose Promos was first certified in 2016, there were less than 1,000 businesses total with these credentials! Now, that number is almost at 5,000 – which still conveys the rigorous standards companies must comply with to achieve this certification.
Even cooler: The average approval time for a B-Corp certification is usually about 2 years, as it takes time for companies to get feedback and implement changes to get approved. Raining Rose Promos was able to do this in just 6 months, and since that time they’ve been re-certified twice.
“Honeybees & Humans” Giveback Program
For every order placed with Raining Rose Promos, the supplier donates 1% of annual profits to Heifer International, a nonprofit that seeks to lift communities from poverty and eradicate hunger all around the globe.
One way the Arkansas-based nonprofit accomplishes this is by training and providing supplies for beekeeping, an essential factor to successful farming. Not only are bees crucial for thriving crops, but beeswax is a primary component to many of the lip balms produced by Raining Rose Promos – making this partnership one that's close to the heart for both organizations.
Want to Learn More?
Raining Rose Promos shares more details about the “Honeybees & Humans” partnership with Heifer International.
Heifer International explains why bees are so important and how they help our planet thrive.
Water Recycling Program
We all know that water is an indispensable resource on the planet, however, not everyone is aware of how water can be used to create clean energy. Raining Rose Promos does – that’s why they send approximately 2,400 gallons of bi-product wastewater to be turned into energy every month. That wastewater is then mixed with cattle manure to transform it into energy used to power local farms.
It’s All in the Details
On top of their larger sustainable and charitable projects, Raining Rose Promos makes planet-friendly practices part of their everyday business, as shown by examples like:
- Monarch butterfly-rearing tent on company grounds
- Water-activated tape on shipping boxes
- Recycling paper, cardboard & plastic
- LEED-certified building (the most widely-used green building rating system in the world)
Now you know everything you need to provide clients with earth-friendly promos and score sustainable sales at the same time!
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