Earth Day is no longer just a symbolic moment on the marketing calendar. For brands, it has become a visible checkpoint where customers, employees, and partners expect real environmental responsibility, not surface-level messaging.
That’s why Earth Day promotional items matter more than ever.
When done right, eco-friendly promotional products help brands demonstrate sustainability in a tangible way. When done poorly, they risk being seen as wasteful or performative. The difference lies in material choices, usefulness, and long-term value.
Below, we break down high-impact Earth Day promotional item ideas that brands can confidently use in 2026, along with practical guidance on how to select products that align with sustainability goals and real-world use.
Here, at ODM, we work hard to provide clients with custom eco-friendly products for their businesses. Some of our favourite projects include sustainable packaging and alternatives to disposable cutlery and single-use plastic. We listed below some of our top picks of eco-friendly promotional products!
Why Earth Day Promotional Items Still Work (When Chosen Carefully)
Sustainable promotional products work best when they are:
-
Useful beyond Earth Day
-
Made from responsible or recycled materials
-
Designed to replace disposable alternatives
-
Subtly branded, not overprinted
Earth Day campaigns are most effective when products remain on desks, in homes, or in daily routines—long after April 22 has passed.
15 Must-Have Earth Day Promotional Items for 2026
Offering green marketing gifts and using eco-friendly packaging are important steps to changing consumer behaviour and market trends.
Eco-Friendly Bags
Reusable bags remain one of the most effective Earth Day promotional items when materials are chosen responsibly.
Recommended materials:
-
Recycled cotton
-
rPET (recycled plastic bottles)
-
Jute or canvas blends
Why they work:
-
Replace single-use plastic bags
-
Offer high daily visibility
-
Easy to brand without overpowering the design
Best used for retail promotions, trade shows, employee kits, and Earth Day events.
Cork is another material to consider when looking for more eco-friendly material for bags.
These custom promotional cork bags are guaranteed durable.
The material used for these products is renewable, making them sustainable and safe for the environment.
This branded bag idea is made from high-quality recycled felt and PU leather.
It can contain up to 20 kilograms of accessories inside.
The PCR materials used for this eco promotional product are indeed durable, thus it can withstand everyday wear and tear.
These custom eco-friendly bags are made from recycled paper and bamboo, making them an ideal alternative to canvas and expensive leather bags.
High quality and eco-friendly, these bags can spark great conversations about marketing and environmental issues.
Branded Office Merchandise
For brands targeting professionals or corporate audiences, sustainable office products are a strong fit.
Examples include:
-
Bamboo pen holders
-
Recycled notebooks
-
FSC-certified paper products
These items reinforce sustainability in everyday work environments, without feeling gimmicky.
This promotional recycled pen is made from corn.
It comes in different designs and shapes.
It is appealing to customers as this feature will help the environment stop trash from building and people littering as it will decompose itself.
The design of this notebook speaks for itself, with the strong commitment to “go green” and “do good” for the environment.
On top of that, it also comes with a cover made of cork and the filling of acid-free lined paper, making it safer for nature.
Wine cork is a great option to consider as a USB casing.
This promotional wine cork USB is made from a durable and natural material.
Thus, you can guarantee that it does not contain any toxic chemicals that can harm the environment and users.
Green Cutlery Ideas
Reusable cutlery sets address a clear sustainability pain point: single-use plastic utensils.
Common eco-friendly options
-
Bamboo cutlery
-
Wheat straw fiber utensils
-
Recycled stainless steel sets
Often packaged in reusable fabric pouches or recycled cases, these products are ideal for office lunches, travel, food delivery campaigns, and sustainability initiatives.
Why they work
-
Directly reduce plastic waste
-
Easy to carry and reuse
-
Strong alignment with Earth Day and zero-waste messaging
Cutlery sets also pair well with internal ESG campaigns and employee sustainability programs.
Made from industrial waste materials, this rice husk cutlery is biodegradable, making it a green and healthy substitute for disposable plastic cutlery.
Depending on temperature conditions and with proper maintenance, these green marketing products can last up to 3 years. Unlike plastic, pieces of cutlery made from rice husk will not melt under hot high temperatures
These bamboo cups are one of the best marketing ideas you could ever have. Compared to other cups available, these glasses are durable and can be used for a long time.
Moreover, unlike plastic, these custom bamboo products are free from harmful chemicals. These unique inventions could be the best option for people who are eco-conscious.
These metal straws make a great alternative to plastic utensils because they are washable and reusable. They also come with a mini brush to clean the inside.
Unlike disposable cutleries, metal straws do not release such toxic chemicals, making them eco-friendly. Moreover, they are BPA free; thus, they are safe for users.
Sustainable Packaging
Packaging matters just as much as the product itself. Earth Day promotional items should be paired with:
-
Recycled or FSC-certified packaging
-
Minimal plastic usage
-
Clear sustainability messaging (without greenwashing)
Thoughtful packaging signals credibility and attention to detail—two qualities customers increasingly associate with trustworthy brands.
This packaging is a mix of 50% rice husk with 50% polypropylene, which is biodegradable at a considerable rate.
The hybrid composites with a high content of rice husk have a higher degradation rate.
Instead of burning the rice husks which produce harmful substances, reviving husks into new products reduces this problem.
This food packaging is made from flax fibre.
It is an eco-friendly material harvested from a plant.
This means that flax fibre is a biodegradable material that can break down when crushed and placed in the presence of bacteria.
Furthermore, Flax Fiber Material is also recyclable which means that the material does not need to end up in landfills.
Custom kraft paper packaging is made of organic material, which is virgin wood pulp.
Because of its durability, kraft paper can be recycled up to seven times!
Recyclable, this only means that this packaging can be used multiple times, making less impact on the environment.
Furthermore, this custom kraft paper packaging is biodegradable.
Smartphone Accessories
Smartphone cases are one of the most practical Earth Day promotional items available—used daily, kept long-term, and highly visible.
Popular sustainable materials
-
Wheat straw composites
-
Plant-based or biodegradable plastics
-
Recycled TPU or recycled PC
Why they work
-
Smartphones are always in use, ensuring constant brand exposure
-
Cases replace disposable or low-quality alternatives
-
Strong alignment with modern, lifestyle-focused sustainability messaging
Eco-friendly phone cases are particularly effective for tech brands, corporate gifting, employee onboarding, and event giveaways where practicality matters.
As smartphone owners often use cases as an extension of their creative expression, it is important that they are personalized.
However, it is also important to ensure that your branding is not compromised.
These cork-based phone cases are customizable and affordable on top of being eco-friendly.
They can help promote your brand and raise environmental awareness as well.
Portable chargers take a longer time to charge, thus consuming more electricity.
Solar charger packs are a fantastic alternative to portable chargers because they harness the sun’s energy.
This solar promotional gift can charge phones, USB devices, and tablets. Because there’s an unlimited amount of solar energy, these solar chargers can help consumers cut back on electricity usage.
These phone cases are made from Recycled Ocean Plastic or ROP.
They are guaranteed non-toxic, clean, and safe for humans and the environment because they are made from biodegradable wheat straw.
Moreover, these eco-friendly promotional products are finely processed, stylish, and shockproof.
Instead of using cases made from rubber and plastics, these ones are way more practical and safer.
How to Choose the Right Earth Day Promotional Products
Before selecting products, brands should ask:
-
Will this item still be useful in 6–12 months?
-
Does the material choice align with our sustainability claims?
-
Can the design avoid over-branding?
-
Does the product replace something disposable?
Earth Day promotions perform best when products solve a real problem, not just carry a logo.
See how other brands promote their business using sustainable merchandise:
Adidas aims to end plastic waste with innovation and partnerships as the solutions. Last 2020, the brand launched Primegreen. It is a new sustainable technology that contains 100% recycled polyester. Check this promotion below.
We came across these green promotional gifts from Pacific Coffee, and we absolutely love them! Not only are they useful and beautifully designed, but they are also environment-friendly.
One of the things that caught our attention during the Expo 2020 Dubai is this eco-packaging for a promotional giveaway item from Lula Mena.
Continuing its commitment to eliminating single-use plastic from its stores by 2025, Carrefour is currently offering custom eco-friendly tote bags to its customers in Dubai.
Bringing It All Together,
Every single action affects the environment. As a business, we create an even greater impact on the Earth. Thus, instead of focusing only on generating sales, let us become more responsive to the world around us. Let’s strive to lessen the carbon print we leave to our nature.
Let’s become more strict in implementing sustainable marketing not just during the Earth Day celebration but even every day. Let’s start our initiative today before it becomes too late!
More promotional product ideas
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a promotional item truly eco-friendly?
An eco-friendly promotional item uses responsible materials (recycled, renewable, or biodegradable), minimizes waste, and offers long-term usability instead of short-term novelty.
Are recycled materials better than biodegradable ones?
It depends on the use case. Recycled materials reduce waste already in circulation, while biodegradable materials are best for products designed to return safely to the environment.
How far in advance should Earth Day promotional items be planned?
Ideally, planning should begin 3–4 months in advance to allow time for material sourcing, prototyping, compliance checks, and sustainable packaging design.
Can Earth Day promotional items still be branded effectively?
Yes—but subtle branding works best. Small logos, tone-on-tone printing, or message-driven design often increase product retention and perceived value.
How Can ODM Help?
We, at the ODM Group, support sustainable marketing. Thus, if you need help manufacturing Earth Day Promotional Items and other eco-friendly marketing gifts, do not hesitate to contact our team. We can help you with designing and sourcing promotional green products for your business.
Send us an email to know more about our eco-friendly promotional products. We specialize in product sourcing and design. While most of our projects revolve around custom promotional merchandise, we also help in designing high-end POS displays and brand packaging design. Get in touch with our team today!
Related Blogs:
Rattan Weaving Material for Eco-Friendly Promotional Products
Rattan weaving material is increasingly used in promotional products [...]
World Environment Day: Elevate Your Brand with Sustainable Products Ideas
June 5 is World Environment Day. It is no [...]
How Coir Material Becomes High-Impact Promotional Merchandise
As sustainability becomes a core part of brand strategy, [...]
Water Hyacinth Material: A Sustainable Weaving Resource
Water hyacinth material has become one of the most [...]
What is ESG Marketing? How to Win Customers and Build Trust
If you’ve been paying attention to marketing trends, you’ve [...]
Building Sustainable Campaigns with Recycled Rice Tote Bags
Sustainable marketing is no longer just a “nice to [...]