5 tips for sustainable corporate gifting

It’s tempting to send gifts that will engage employees and help them celebrate. If you choose to do so, keep packaging minimal and opt for shipping, transportation, or delivery that has a low carbon footprint. Choosing eco-friendly gifts, like plants or sustainable office supplies, can also make an impact. And incorporating a message in your gift about sustainability can educate and inspire your team. These practices celebrate your employees while showing your commitment to environmental responsibility. Need another way to boost sustainability? You can look for suppliers who offset their carbon emissions or use renewable energy sources. These small changes can make a big difference in reducing the environmental impact of your corporate gifts.

Instead of sending a gift box, consider sending an experience that your team can enjoy on their own time or together. Maybe it’s a special pottery class or a virtual cooking class. Or you could plan fun events like cocktail-making lessons or virtual escape rooms. Experiences are gifts of memorable moments that tend to have a lower environmental footprint. You can also make a donation in an employee’s name to a nonprofit organization of their choosing. Think about causes your team is passionate about. Gifts that give back show a connection to your employees’ beliefs and values.

Traditional gifts might not always match the recipient's taste or needs. Digital options take the stress of choice off your organization while giving employees or clients the flexibility to choose what they truly want.

Many other benefits come with going digital, including:

Delivery and accessibility: Digital gifts can be sent and received in moments, cutting down the wait time associated with physical shipping. This type of delivery is particularly beneficial for recognizing achievements in real time and celebrating special occasions.

Reduced environmental impact: By eliminating the need for physical production, packaging, and shipping, digital gifts are a more eco-friendly option. This aligns with corporate sustainability goals.

Global reach: For organizations with a diverse or international workforce, digital gifts offer a seamless way to celebrate employees or clients across different regions and countries. You can also skip the complexity of international shipping and customs.

Selecting gifts or services from businesses near your office or close to where your employees are located is a great way to ensure a sustainable celebration. Your purchases will contribute to the local economy and prevent extended shipping periods, which will reduce your carbon footprint. By shopping locally, you also have the opportunity to discover unique and personalized gifts that reflect the diverse interests of your team. This makes it more likely that they’ll appreciate the effort. It adds a thoughtful touch to your corporate gift strategy. Selecting gifts or services from businesses near your office or close to where your employees are located is a great way to ensure a sustainable celebration. Your purchases will contribute to the local economy and prevent extended shipping periods, which will reduce your carbon footprint. By shopping locally, you also have the opportunity to discover unique and personalized gifts that reflect the diverse interests of your team. This makes it more likely that they’ll appreciate the effort. It adds a thoughtful touch to your corporate gift strategy.

If you’re set on sending a physical gift, remember to give something that employees will actually use. If your team will be exchanging gifts or if you’ll be sending physical packages, consider wrapping them with sustainable or reusable materials. If you want to go a step further with eco-friendly corporate gifts, consider using biodegradable card options or seed paper for small gifts. For larger items, consider using cloth bags or baskets that can be repurposed. That turns the packaging itself into an additional gift. Similarly, if your team is planning to celebrate virtually, be sure that whatever you choose to send as decorations or party supplies is reusable and/or recyclable.