As businesses become more environmentally conscious, the demand for sustainable corporate gifts continues to grow. Offering something eco-friendly and ethically sourced is a meaningful way to show appreciation while reinforcing your company’s commitment to sustainability.
From recycled gifts and biodegradable materials to low-impact digital options, these choices reflect your brand’s values and resonate with clients, employees, and partners alike.
Here we explore some of the best sustainable corporate gift ideas that not only promote green initiatives – they’ll also leave a lasting impression on recipients!
Looking for ideas for the festive season? Check out our post on corporate Christmas gift ideas . 🎄
What is sustainable gifting?
With one survey finding that 70% of employees between the ages of 18 and 54 would prefer a ‘sustainable’ gift, it’s worth taking a quick look at what that actually means.
Broadly speaking, sustainability is a concept that involves using resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs – whether it be from an environmental, economic, or social standpoint.
When it comes to gifts, the focus tends to be on reducing the environmental impact in particular. Key factors might include:
Sustainable materials 🌱
Minimal packaging 📦
Ethical production 😇
Durability 💪
Locally made 📌
Reusability ♻️
Non-toxic ⚠️
Energy efficiency 🚀
Supports a cause 💚
As you can see, there are many ways in which a gift might be seen as sustainable – both by the giver and the recipient. Now let’s dive into some of the eco-friendly gift ideas you could try for your own business! 👇
Eco-friendly business gift ideas
Sustainable gifts for employees Sustainable gifts for clients Sustainable gifts for partners and suppliers Sustainable giveaways at events Sustainable gifts for CSR initiatives Sustainable gifts for prospective clients (lead nurture)
1. Sustainable gifts for employees
In today’s eco-conscious world, sustainable gifts have become an excellent way to show appreciation to staff while promoting environmental responsibility within your organisation. And, while some employees may not feel too concerned about the green credentials of the presents they receive, others will very much appreciate the gesture.
Check out these ideas for sustainable gifts for staff:
Reusable drinkware – Reusable water bottles, glass bottles, and eco-friendly mugs to promote a zero-waste workplace.
Reusable office supplies – Recycled corporate gifts such as paper notebooks, bamboo pens, and desk organisers made from reclaimed wood or other sustainable materials.
Eco-friendly clothing – T-shirts, hoodies, socks, or caps made from organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled polyester.
Charitable gifts – Make donations on behalf of staff to a charity or good cause of their choosing.
Wellness kits – Natural or organic self-care products such as lotions, plant-based candles, and essential oils in biodegradable packaging.
Work-related gifts – Give employees the gift of time through duvet days, additional annual leave, or volunteer time off to give back to their local community.
Online games – Digital games, such as those used by Kwik Fit , can be used as the basis for a fun online competition where larger numbers of staff can play to win prizes. It’s an interactive and eco-friendly option that also boosts employee engagement through a little light-hearted competition!
2. Sustainable gifts for clients
In the world of B2B, building and maintaining long-lasting relationships with clients is often key to business success. Eco-conscious gifts are a great way to keep in touch and show you care – whether it’s to reflect your own company’s values or to make a thoughtful gesture to someone you know will appreciate it.
Here’s a list of sustainable corporate gifts for those all-important business clients:
Reusable shopping bags – High-quality branded totes made from recycled plastic or organic cotton, useful for daily shopping or travel.
Fair trade gift baskets – Baskets filled with organic coffee, tea, chocolates, or locally sourced eco-friendly snacks, all packaged in biodegradable or reusable containers.
Sustainable tech gadgets – Solar-powered chargers, biodegradable phone cases, or USB drives made from recycled materials.
Digital vouchers for sustainable brands – E-gift cards for eco-conscious brands or experiences.
Digital experiences that respect anti-bribery rules – For clients who can’t accept gifts due to anti-bribery rules in their organisation, eco-friendly experiences such as online games are perfect for showing them that you care while sticking to their company’s policies.
3. Sustainable gifts for partners and suppliers
As is the case with clients, healthy relationships with partners and suppliers in your industry also help to ensure business stability and growth. Here are a few examples of corporate gifts for partners and suppliers that can help to boost B2B engagement while reflecting your shared commitment to environmental responsibility:
Sustainable travel accessories – Recycled fabric backpacks, eco-friendly travel sets (bamboo cutlery, reusable straws), or reusable bottles.
Plant-based office supplies – Desk items like cork or bamboo organisers, recycled notepads, or pens made from biodegradable materials.
Eco-friendly wine or spirits – Organic wine or spirits packaged in sustainable bottles, paired with natural, reusable packaging.
Virtual celebrations – Parties are a great way to say thanks to corporate contacts without giving away physical gifts to numerous individuals. If you’re looking to celebrate with a large number of partners and suppliers – not to mention staff and clients – you could draw inspiration from Derivco Sports and take the party online with a multi-game competition !
In this case, they used an interesting prize structure with ‘smaller’ prizes during the week and then a big giveaway on Fridays!
4. Sustainable giveaways at events
Corporate events, whether virtual, hybrid, or in-person, offer a prime opportunity to distribute eco-friendly swag or giveaways that leave a lasting impression with minimal impact on the environment.
Whether they’re given away as freebies or after playing a trade show game on your stand, there are plenty of options for sustainable gifts at events:
Eco-friendly swag bags – Reusable tote bags containing items such as plantable pencils, organic snacks, or recycled notebooks.
Sustainable lanyards and badges – Made from recycled plastic or bamboo, they’re perfect for conferences and networking events.
Plant-based treats – Dairy-free chocolate, vegan cakes, or plant-based sweets, protein bars, or energy balls.
Tree planting – Commit to planting a tree for every visitor to your stand who signs up via a lead-collection tool such as a badge scanner, online quiz , or other type of game. This is a fun way to gamify sustainable practice while gathering leads for that post-event follow-up!
Plant kits – Seed paper or small indoor plants (such as succulents) in biodegradable pots, allowing recipients to grow something long after the event.
Digital swag – Offer e-books, digital subscriptions, or digital vouchers for eco-friendly brands.
