Sustainability in the promotional products industry means making, sourcing, and distributing promotional items in ways that reduce negative environmental and social impacts while supporting long-term economic success.

This approach focuses on using resources wisely and fairly, aiming to balance the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves five key areas that work together for a balanced and responsible industry:

1. Environmental Responsibility:

Use sustainable materials, create less waste, and reduce carbon footprints. Choose recycled or biodegradable materials, reduce energy and resource use, and adopt environmentally responsible production methods.

2. Social Equity:

Ensure fair treatment for everyone in the supply chain. This includes fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and ethical treatment of workers. It also promotes diversity, inclusion, community involvement, and educating consumers about ethical buying practices.

3. Product Lifecycle Considerations:

Consider the entire lifespan, from design and manufacturing to transport, use, and disposal. This means making durable, long-lasting items that can be repaired or recycled.

4. Transparency & Accountability:

Verify claims and be accountable for social and environmental impacts.
Set clear benchmarks, conduct unbiased audits, and ensure products comply with all legal regulations to maximize safety for consumers.

5. Governance:

Implement strong leadership and governance practices to guide sustainable decision-making. Establish policies and procedures that ensure ethical business practices, regulatory compliance, and responsible management of resources.

Together, these principles support a commitment to a responsible, ethical and sustainable way of doing business that respects both people and the planet.

Responsibility is a journey that requires continuous improvement rather than a fixed end point and starts with smalls steps which lead to greater impact when everyone participates. Every effort contributes to a more sustainable future for businesses and the world we share.

 

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Environmental responsibility is a core component of PPAI’s strategic goals for the promotional products industry. These resources – including best practices, guides and information on standards, organizations and governing bodies – are provided to support each member’s journey toward a more sustainable future.

Best Practices

The purpose of these best practices is to provide guidelines, protocols and procedures for documenting and implementing individual responsible sourcing processes and programs at organizations conducting business within the promotional products industry. With the help of these tools, organizations are encouraged to develop policies and procedures within their own organizations that will allow them to self regulate and offer specific assurances to customers.

Guides

Glossary & Terms

Green Guides – Federal Trade Commission

End Buyer Guides

  • Distributor Guide To Communicating Environmental Responsibility – By asking your customer and your supplier the right questions, you can ensure that you have the right product for the right audience. You’ll differentiate yourself from the competition by delivering memorable, engaging and sustainable solutions.

Corporate Compliance Guides

  • Guide To Responsible Sourcing In The Promotional Products Industry – This guide will provide you with direction and clarity in assessing and meeting product safety, social and environmental compliance challenges with self-assessment tools, best practices, checklists and frequently asked questions in the promotional products industry.

Standards, Organizations & Governing Bodies

Global Organic Textile Standard

Global Standard – Comprehensive rules for ecological and socially responsible textile production.” Introduction to the GOTS, certification, licensing, labeling and additional information.

Environmental Protection Agency

MyEnvironment– A program provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to gain access to a variety of environmental information and resources based on location.

Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator – The EPA provides a calculator on its website that may beneficial for your efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) – “The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the public law that creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. The law describes the waste management program mandated by Congress that gave EPA authority to develop the RCRA program. The term RCRA is often used interchangeably to refer to the law, regulations and EPA policy and guidance.”

Clean Air Act (CAA)– “Under the Clean Air Act, EPA sets limits on certain air pollutants, including setting limits on how much can be in the air anywhere in the United States. This helps to ensure basic health and environmental protection from air pollution for all Americans. The Clean Air Act also gives EPA the authority to limit emissions of air pollutants coming from sources like chemical plants, utilities, and steel mills. Individual states or tribes may have stronger air pollution laws, but they may not have weaker pollution limits than those set by EPA.”

Clean Water Act (CWA) – “The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972…Under the CWA, EPA has implemented pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry. We have also set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters.”

Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) – The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 provides EPA with authority to require reporting, record-keeping and testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. Certain substances are generally excluded from TSCA, including, among others, food, drugs, cosmetics and pesticides. “The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 provides EPA with authority to require reporting, record-keeping and testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. Certain substances are generally excluded from TSCA, including, among others, food, drugs, cosmetics and pesticides.”

Direct Marketing Association

Green 15 – The “Green15” is a checklist of best practices attuned to current data-driven direct marketing science and environmental issues. The DMA commits to public green goals to reduce environmental and social impacts associated with marketing through awareness and a widespread adoption of the “Green15.”

DMA Paper Calculator – The Paper Calculator is a tool for measuring the environmental impact of paper. It can be used to quantify the impacts of your paper usage, and to compare different grades and types of paper with varying amounts of recycled content.

Additional Resources

Green Biz – “Advances the opportunities at the intersection of business, technology and sustainability”

Sustainable Apparel Coalition – “Apparel, footwear and home textile industry’s alliance for sustainable production”

Sustainable Brands – “Brings both creative and technical experts together for ‘systems thinking in action’ conversation geared to help brands succeed while accelerating the shift to a sustainable economy”

Textile Exchange – “A global nonprofit organization that works to make the textile industry more sustainable”

 

Disclaimer

This information is furnished by PPAI for educational and informational purposes only. PPAI makes no and expressly disclaims any and all representations and warranties, express or implied, including any warranty of fitness for a particular purpose and/or statements about specific dates, coverage, application or otherwise. Users are advised to consult with appropriate legal counsel or other professional about the specific application of the law or this information to the user’s business and products.