Corporations that promote and invest in environmentally responsible practices have a right to know that the “organic”, “natural”, “eco-friendly” or “green” merchandise they purchase to represent their brand genuinely helps improve the environment.  Therefore, greenwashing, the deceptive practice used by some manufacturers to promote a single “green” aspect of a product, when other components of the item may not be good for the environment, is a fact of life that both the corporate buyer and his/her promotional merchandise partner should be aware of.

There are thousands of products available in the promotional merchandise industry that offer recycled and/or recyclable materials; organic fibers; and naturally renewable elements .  The challenge is to determine which of these products offers the most comprehensive package of not only the most eco-conscious components, but also a consideration of the chemicals, energy and natural resources used to produce those goods.   That information is not always easy to find, and many times it isn’t practical to spend a great deal of time researching the data just to decide which natural fiber writing journal best reflects your company’s “green” efforts.

So, in the interest of offering a starting point, I have listed ten of the top earth-friendly products, based on the multi-dimensional appeal of their “eco” qualities.

1. Stone paper journal
   An awesome, eco-friendly alternative to regular paper journals. Each page is made from actual stone via a bleach-free process, making it recyclable, compostable, smudge-resistant, water-resistant and tear-proof.
2. Eco golf balls
   Made from recycled golf balls and packaged in boxes made from recycled paper. Comes with pre-addressed pouch so damaged balls can be returned, recycled and replaced by manufacturer.
3. Seeded paper
   Plant flowers from seeds embedded in the paper branded with the company logo.
4. Wooden bead Karma bracelets
   Get good Karma from bead bracelets made from all-natural wood.
5. Water bottle with carbon filter
   Use a BPA-free, squeezable water bottle with a carbon filter and keep 200 fewer water bottles from the landfill.
6. Bamboo serving utensils
   Bamboo grows upwards of 6 feet a day without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. When used for products like salad utensils, it becomes heat- and bacteria-resistant.
7. Billboard bags
   Worried about your used vinyl billboards and banners clogging up landfills? They can be recycled into an attention-grabbing bag.
8. Dog training treats and pad balm
   Let four-legged friends become part of the cause with a pad balm for paws made from all-natural, organic materials. The training treats tube is completely biodegradable.
9. Coco-Eco flip-flops
   Made from recycled rubber and recycled coconut fibers.
10. Eco-tee
    Tee consists of 50% organic cotton and 50% polyester made from recycled water bottles.

As we all embrace the mantra of green products and services, we also become more responsible for staying informed and being more aware of the deceptive claims of certain manufacturers.  Greenwashing is a fact of life – let’s show our customers we know the difference between “real green” and the pretenders!