In an increasingly eco-conscious world, businesses are embracing sustainable practices to align with growing consumer and industry demand for environmental responsibility. Trade shows and events are no exception.
With freebies and handouts an absolute must for boosting engagement and interaction, some exhibitors are turning their attention to swag of the eco-friendly variety. Here we explore a range of ideas for sustainable trade show giveaways, from everyday essentials to experience-based options that reflect your brand’s values.
For more inspiration, check out our ultimate guide to trade show giveaways or explore the latest conference swag trends to stay ahead of the curve!
Eco-friendly event giveaways
The growing trend towards sustainability
The younger generations are driving a global shift toward sustainability. One survey by Deloitte found that 73% of millennials are actively trying to minimise their impact on the environment, while 59% of Gen Zs are willing to pay more for sustainable products and services.
When you consider that these groups constitute an increasingly large cohort within businesses (not to mention the trade shows they attend or exhibit at), it’s no wonder that organisations are thinking more about how to make their giveaways a little greener.
Eco-friendly gifts offer businesses a way to:
Engage with attendees
Reduce their environmental footprint
Align with the eco-conscious values of their audience
Stand out by offering meaningful and memorable items
What are ‘sustainable’ giveaways?
‘Sustainable’ is a term that can be applied in several contexts – environmental, economic, or social. When it comes to trade show giveaways, 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, gifts might be seen as sustainable in various different ways. So what might eco-friendly promotional items at a trade show look like? 👀👇
Everyday essentials
Reusable water bottles
Reusable food storage bags
Reusable food wraps
Bamboo cutlery sets
Bamboo toothbrushes
Bamboo coffee cups
Tote bags made from recycled materials
Clothing items made from organic cotton
Compostable phone cases
Recycled fabric keychains
➡️ Learn more in our guide to sustainable gift ideas for business .
Eco-friendly office supplies
Recycled paper notebooks
Recycled paper sticky notes
Mouse pads made from recycled materials
Staple-free staplers
Bamboo or recycled plastic pens
Plantable pencils embedded with seeds
Electronic ‘paper’ tablet (great as a big-ticket giveaway in a prize competition )
➡️ Learn more in our guide to current trends in conference swag !
Digital giveaways
Free access to ebooks or industry white papers
Free access to online content or courses
Digital subscriptions to magazines, software, or streaming services
Online workshop or webinar tickets
Digital gift cards for eco-conscious brands
Discounts or vouchers for eco-friendly services
➡️ Learn more in our guide to interactive event ideas .
Eco-friendly food and drink gifts
Organic snack boxes
Plant-based treats such as chocolate or sweets
Fair trade coffee or tea gift sets
Organic wine or spirits
Reusable travel mugs paired with sustainable coffee pods
Reusable water bottles
Subscriptions to plant-based meal-kit supplier
➡️ Learn more about trade show engagement .
Charitable initiatives
Offer charity votes where visitors choose a cause for you to donate to on their behalf
Run a game competition and make a donation for every score submitted by players
Donate to your chosen charity for every attendee who tags your brand in an event photo on social media
Plant a tree for every lead captured at your booth (check out these lead capture ideas )
Donate to a community project for every lead captured
➡️ Learn more in our ultimate guide to trade show giveaways .
How to make your giveaways stand out
Deciding on your eco-friendly giveaways is one thing – it’s also a good idea to think about distribution methods that will attract visitors and help your brand to last long in the memory.
Here are some ways to achieve just that:
Game competitions
If it’s engagement and memorability you’re after, it doesn’t get much better than an interactive trade show game . Not only is it fun for visitors – it’s a great way to grab attention and capture lead data when players submit their score to the leaderboard.
When paired with enticing top prizes and freebies for everyone who achieves a minimum score, you’ll make your stand the talk of the trade show floor. What’s more, by easily customising a game with your logo and messaging, it’ll put your brand front and centre in the minds of those who came to your booth.
➡️ For more inspiration, check out this list of 14 fun trade show game ideas !
Social sharing
Encourage visitors to snap photos at your booth and tag your brand on social media for a chance to win a prize. These can then be awarded during or after the event, generating a little more exposure and engagement with your brand.
Quizzes and trivia
Quizzes are a proven way to engage attendees and put their knowledge skills to the test. A customisable digital quiz (like this Get Quizzy game) lets you tailor categories and questions to promote your brand or resonate with your target audience.
Interactive demos
If you have a product or service that’s easy to demo, provide an interactive setup that lets attendees experience it first-hand. To leave a lasting impression, make sure participants get a thoughtful giveaway or exclusive offer directly related to the product or service they’ve explored.
