How To
Identify & Sell Sustainable Products
“Sustainability” is the word to know this year. Consider this your crash course on how to identify true sustainable products from “greenwashed” alternatives. Plus, you’ll gain access to helpful sales tools and discover popular products that speak to sustainable demand.
What Is
a Sustainable Product?
The word “sustainable” gets thrown around a lot, so let’s make sure we understand what it means. Sustainable products are those that provide environmental, social and economic benefits while protecting public health and the environment over their entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials until the final disposal of the finished good. Sustainable products meet these needs in the present day without leaving a negative impact, which allows future generations to do the same. Simply put, you can consider sustainability the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level that doesn’t result in harm or destruction.
Checklist: Essential Sustainable Traits To Look For
You can confidently present clients a sustainable product if it meets these criteria.
Doesn’t deplete natural, nonrenewable resources
Doesn’t directly harm the environment
Wasn’t made in a socially irresponsible way
What Should I Look For in a
Sustainable Supplier?
Now that you understand what sustainable products are, let’s learn how to identify ideal suppliers to source them from. Look for suppliers who have defined environmental and social responsibility goals and ask them how they put process and investment behind those goals. Suppliers who have taken the extra investment toward roles and certifications in these areas are also good to look for. The below credentials are just a few ways suppliers are going above and beyond to reduce their impact on the planet, according to ASI Promo for the Planet.
LEED-Certified Buildings
Short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, this certification is given out by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to identify buildings that meet optimal standards for areas like carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality.
Certified B Corporation
To achieve this certification, a business must undergo a lengthy audit process where the nonprofit B Lab scrutinizes its legal structure, supply chain practices, philanthropy, customer relations and employee engagement. The business must also pass a risk review, demonstrating high social and environmental performance, and commit to allow their performance to continue to be measured and be publicly available on their B Corp profile.
EcoVadis Sustainability Ranking
EcoVadis is one of the world’s largest providers of business sustainability ratings across the globe. Ratings illustrate performance across 21 indicators in four themes: environment, labor & human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.
Even More Sustainable Efforts
From Raining Rose Promos
For Raining Rose Promos, the more sustainable efforts, the better! Take a look at all the ways this supplier has adopted additional sustainability programs and initiatives to make their business even greener.
“Honeybees and Humans” giveback program
Raining Rose Promos donates 1% of their annual profits to support honeybees and beekeeping families, through their partnership with Heifer International.
Ingredient sourcing
Products are carefully and sustainably crafted from beginning to end and down to the smallest details.
High standards for facility recycling
All efforts are made to recycle and reuse – even the wastewater! This supplier sends approximately 2,400 gallons of byproduct wastewater to be turned into energy every month.
Water-activated packing tape
This packaging component is more environmentally friendly than standard packing tape, showing a drive for sustainability in every aspect of project completion.
Monarch butterfly tent on campus
Each year, this supplier raises monarchs from caterpillars to butterflies before releasing them into the wild.
Reduced use of plastic components
Standard lip balm tubes from this supplier use 50% less plastic than standard lip balm tubes in the industry.
How Can I
Sell Clients on Sustainability?
Even if you’re new to selling sustainable promos, these simple sales tactics effortlessly communicate the appeal of going green and make adoption easy for new buyers. Try these strategies on your next call or meeting to achieve sustainable sales and happy clients.
- Suggest smart swaps for common requests
Keep an eye out for projects requiring products that have sustainable options readily available, such as lip balm, sunscreen and lotion. Let clients know they can swap in sustainable items to make their promotion greener for little – if any – additional spend while still getting the branded products they came to you for. - Educate on how sustainability means quality, safe products
Due to the lengthy certification processes required to designate sustainable goods, your clients can rest assured their green promos will adhere to strict quality guidelines and won’t include harmful ingredients. - Focus on impact, not guilt
Research shows that when guilt comes on heavy-handed, people are actually less likely to opt for sustainable alternatives. Instead, focus on the positives of sustainable investments, such as their higher perceived value and positive brand association. - Debunk the “brandfill” stigma
Promo products are sometimes inaccurately associated with being low-quality products that are thrown away, contributing to quickly filling landfills. Let clients know that sustainable products counteract this negative stigma through their high-quality construction and responsibly sourced ingredients.
Make the Sales: Resources From Raining Rose Promos
The sales process just got even easier, thanks to Raining Rose Promos. Take advantage of these free tools and templates you can use to further educate clients and communicate sustainable product benefits.
Presentations, mockups and samples
Reach out to [email protected] and a sales expert from Raining Rose Promos will be happy to assist you.
Sales sheets and flyers
Check out the pages below on Raining Rose Promos’ website for expertly designed and informative resources you can share with your clients.
Ingredient stories
Take your clients on a journey to discover how sustainable promos are made, starting at the very beginning when ingredients are sourced.
What Sustainable Products
Should I Sell?
Now, let’s get to our favorite part: the sustainable products themselves! No matter if your clients are looking for personal care or sun protection, Raining Rose Promos has got you covered with sustainable promo options both end-buyers and end-users will love.
Opens in a new window.Sustainabalm 3-Pack (SET-SB)
Feel good presenting clients USA-made lip balm made from quality ingredients, all packaged together in an eco-friendly kraft box with a display window.
Opens in a new window.Mineral SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Tottle (MSS-TN)
Made from 100% zinc oxide, this sunscreen tottle allows you to satisfy ingredient-conscious consumers with effective and safe sun protection.
Opens in a new window.DIY Lip Balm Kit (SET-DIYLB)
Help your clients create a unique experience and leave a lasting impression by providing end-users with the tools to create their very own lip balm.
Opens in a new window.Bee Balm (PLB-BN)
Inspired by retail, this fan favorite is naturally derived and formulated with a high beeswax base for conditioning skin.
Opens in a new window.All Natural Lip Balm Tin
(SLB-TN)
Made with ingredients like beeswax, organic sunflower oil and aloe vera, this lip balm is sure to leave lips feeling amazing.
Opens in a new window.EOS Lip Balm (EOS-LIP)
Recognized by its unique shape and ingredients like soothing shea butter and moisturizing jojoba oil, this retail favorite will carry brand messaging far.
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