3 Out-of-the-Box Sustainable Merch Ideas
Merchandise Needs a Makeover
It seems that far too many brands & businesses still approach their merchandise program with a "check the box mentality", meaning they simply create some corporate branded items with the most convenient provider so they can cross it off their to-do list.
Merchandise can be so much more. It can be a powerful tool to reinforce your brand values, to truly care for employees, and win over customers with meaningful storytelling.
Here are three creative ways to think about merchandise through a sustainability lens...
1) Connect your employee base with makers groups to foster empowerment.
Today, it should be crystal clear that "sustainability" is far more than printing your logo on an organic cotton t-shirt. Our collective definition of sustainability needs to move beyond materials to include a holistic view of both people and planet.
Through our network of artisan groups & social enterprises we can help you create unique merchandise that directly connects your organization with entrepreneurs around the globe.
You exist to create meaningful employment for your staff? Great! What if your merchandise could do that for others, and your storytelling around these items proved you walk the walk? Event better.
2) Accomplish sustainability targets more quickly through quality, ethical goods.
It's become clear that there is only ONE way forward if we are to see any sort of meaningful change within sustainability, and that is COLLABORATION. Therefore, the transparency and sustainability goals of your partners become your path to more sustainable outcomes.
For this reason, we at Merchlandia only choose to work with brands that carry verifiable certifications that prove their impact. No greenwashing here. Brands are B Corp Certified. They use certified sustainable materials or are recyclable. They are climate neutral or focus intently on social impacts in addition to environmental ones.
When we create merchandise collections that holistically tackle sustainability — and not just one item, but an entire collection — we move our organizations toward lasting sustainability and measurable progress toward environmental impact goals.
3) The most sustainable items are the ones already created.
If you're looking for a truly unique merchandise offering, and you are wanting to accomplish it in one of the MOST sustainable ways possible, consider vintage.
We work with a network of vintage suppliers to source items that match your brand, then customize them to meet your creative vision. Are all shades of blue the exact same? Do the fits of the garments match across each style? Not perfectly, but that is literally the entire point.
Repurposing and upcycling merchandise from vintage clothing & accessories people rarely think about, however, the resulting collection is sure to drive home the organizations values and leave a lasting impression.