Earth First SUSTAINABLE EVENT SOLUTIONS Environmental Swagger 7 tips to create a sustainable gifting program by Lisa Murphy Do you cringe a little when you think about the well-meant but overstuffed gift bags of events past, filled with trash-bound pens and BPA-leaching plastic water bottles? Today’s event planners are conscious of sustainability and consumerism but may also be dealing with tight budgets and CEOs who are more focused on branding than environmental benefits. That’s why raising awareness is often the first step in creating a socially and environmentally friendly gifting program. “The risk of giving out unsustainable swag is enormous,” says Sami Freiha, president of Ace Branding Company Inc. in Markham, ON. “It’s a poor return on investment that can cause negative feedback from attendees and tarnish your brand.” 1. ARTICULATE YOUR GOALS AND BUDGET Get clarity on dollars set aside for giveaways, the goals of the event and the reputation that the company is trying to build. As Freiha adds, “A sustainable gifting program isn’t a stand-alone initiative—it must coincide with the overarching sustainability goals of the organization now and in the future.” 2. REFRESH YOUR KNOWLEDGE Swag that seemed environmentally friendly in the past may now be considered wasteful or harmful. “Some examples are cheap reusable bags that are rarely used, ‘eco’ products with excessive packaging and items made from recycled materials but designed for single use,” says Ivana Mastilo, co-founder of Zero Waste Hero, an online market of eco brands based in Toronto. Ideally, gifts should be practical, reusable and ethically made from recycled, renewable or responsibly sourced materials, plus have a low- carbon footprint and little to no packaging waste. Items like these (and your branding) will see years of use. Bonus points for prioritizing local and socially responsible suppliers, too. 3. BRUSH UP ON YOUR ACRONYMS Consider merchandise from Certified B Corporations, which meet verified social and environmental standards, or wood, paper and forest products with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) logo. Attendees will also appreciate fabric items that meet GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) criteria, as well as OEKO-TEX logos indicating that products are sustainably produced and free from harmful substances. The RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) and GRS (Global Recycled Standard) logos communicate sustainability, as well. 4. WIN THE POPULARITY CONTEST Eco-friendly apparel, items made from seed paper and high quality, sustainably produced bags and stationery are crowd pleasers, according to Freiha. (Even more so if they’re made in Canada!) 5. OFFER CHOICE OR CUSTOMIZATION A “choose your own gift” station is often a win- win for your budget and the planet, says Mastilo, because it increases the likelihood that swag will be used and kept and minimizes waste and excess inventory. Likewise, personalized gifts such as steel water bottles with attendees’ names are less likely to be discarded and create a more meaningful experience for attendees. 6. CONSIDER VIRTUAL GIFTS Event attendees appreciate digital gift options such as subscriptions to courses and services, gift cards for food, accommodations and experiences, and charitable and social impact donations. These demonstrate an organization’s values and commitment to the planet. In 2025, for example, Unwrapit digital gift choices resulted in 10,580 trees being planted and $34,857 donated to Canadian charities via Benevity. 7. MAKE A STATEMENT WITH NO GIFTS Event hosts may worry that attendees will be disappointed not to receive giveaways, but they may respect you more for it. Eco-Friendly Events in Toronto communicated that no swag would be provided at a Climate Summit, for instance. Not sure how to convince the team? Highlighting the sustainability benefits and cost savings and sharing attendee survey feedback from previous events can get them on board, says Mastilo. (You can include ecological questions in your next post-event survey if you haven’t before.) Whatever sustainable or digital swag you choose to share (or not share) at your next event, be loud and proud about the choices you made and how they represent the host’s principles and innovation. “Our vendor partners are pushing the boundaries of sustainability, and it’s crucial for us to share those stories,” says Freiha. “It is one thing to receive a product that is functional, but it’s another to hear the story of how this product came to be.” Fall 2026 | Ignitemag.ca | 21
