Top 9 Eco-Friendly Swag Bag Ideas for Your Next Event
When assembling a swag bag, every item represents your brand and values. Choosing sustainable swag bag items helps you promote your organization, delight attendees, and send a clear message: you care about the planet.
From reusable totes to planet-friendly tech, today’s best swag bag fillers go beyond novelty. They’re practical, sustainable, and designed to make a lasting impression. So, forget the throwaways: swag bags filled with items people actually use are the ones that get remembered.
Reusable Keepsakes for Daily Use
1. Custom Recycled Liberty Tote Bag
A tote bag is one of the most popular swag bag essentials, and this option checks both the practical and eco-friendly boxes. Made with 50% recycled content, the Custom Recycled Liberty Tote Bag gives your brand an eco-conscious canvas while cutting down on virgin material use.
Its roomy size makes it perfect for groceries, books, or event giveaways, ensuring your logo gets carried far beyond the conference floor.
Why it works: As a versatile carry-all, recipients will reuse it for errands, commuting, or shopping, prolonging the life of your brand message and reducing the need for single-use bags.
Pro Tip: Opt for a full-color imprint to maximize visual impact and show off your brand’s creativity.
Custom Recycled Liberty Tote Bag | 14x15
2. Fashion Tote
If you’re looking for a stylish but sustainable way to package your giveaways, this recycled tote is a smart choice. Made from recycled polypropylene and non-woven materials, it has a sleek finish and compact design that works well as a “bag within a bag,” or as the swag bag itself.
Its fashion-forward shape elevates your promotional presentation while reinforcing your sustainability commitment.
Why it works: It’s lightweight, foldable, and reusable, making it a strong, eco-friendly alternative to disposable gift bags.
Pro Tip: Fill it with other eco-conscious swag or use it in place of paper bags for a layered, polished brand experience.
Gift Tote Bags | Fashion Tote | 9x12x4
Functional Items with Green Impact
3. Recycled Lay Flat Notebook
This premium notebook is a standout in the eco swag world. Crafted in the U.S. with 144 pages of FSC-certified paper (and 75% recycled), this notebook really brings your sustainability message home since it is printed using compostable inks.
Its sewn, library-quality binding enables it to lay flat, which makes writing more comfortable and gives a polished feel to every page turn. The durable cover is customizable with full-color imprinting options, helping to reinforce your brand identity in style.
Why it works: A notebook is a classic giveaway, but this version carries extra weight, both literally and in meaning. Because it’s made with recycled materials and aligns with sustainability values, it reinforces your brand’s eco-commitment. Every time someone uses it in meetings, classes, or daily note-taking, your logo stays top of mind.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of inside-cover imprinting for additional branding or sustainability messages. You can also choose lined, blank, or dot-grid pages to match your audience’s preference.
Recycled Lay Flat Notebook | USA Made | Full Color | 8.5x11
4. Custom Bamboo Ballpoint Pen
Add a touch of elegance and sustainability to your swag bag with the Custom Bamboo Ballpoint Pen. Crafted from renewable bamboo and accented with polished chrome, this pen delivers a smooth, reliable writing experience while reducing reliance on plastic.
Its sleek design and durable construction make it ideal for office, school, or on-the-go use, ensuring recipients will carry and use it again and again.
Why it works: Writing instruments are a classic promotional favorite, and using eco-friendly materials reinforces your brand’s commitment to sustainability. Every time someone reaches for this pen, your message gets repeated exposure while promoting a greener lifestyle.
Pro Tip: Pair it with a recycled or eco-friendly notebook to create a cohesive, sustainable writing set that elevates your swag bag and leaves a lasting impression.
Bamboo Ballpoint Pen
Green Tech & Sustainability Promos
5. Wireless Earbuds with Solar Power Charging Box
Elevate your swag bag with these eco-conscious, true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds featuring a solar-powered charging case. Designed for convenience and sustainability, these earbuds automatically power on and charge when removed from the case.
With multifunction buttons, users can answer calls, skip songs, or connect to Siri or Google Assistant. These earbuds offer up to four hours of playtime on a single charge and up to 18 hours with the charging case.
Why it works: Combining advanced technology with renewable energy, these earbuds provide a practical solution for on-the-go audio needs while promoting environmental responsibility. Their sleek design and functionality make them a desirable item that recipients will use daily, keeping your brand top of mind.
Pro tip: Customize the charging case with your logo to enhance brand visibility. Pair these earbuds with other sustainable tech items to create a cohesive and eco-friendly swag bag.
Wireless Earbuds with Solar Power Charging Box
6. Bamboo Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Protect your eyes and the planet with these eco-friendly blue light-blocking glasses. The frames are handcrafted from 100% renewable bamboo, offering a stylish and sustainable alternative to traditional eyewear.
Designed to reduce eye strain from prolonged screen time, these glasses feature impact-resistant lenses. Each pair comes in a clear protective case, ensuring durability and longevity.
Why it works: In today's digital age, screen time is inevitable. These glasses provide a practical solution to protect eyes from harmful blue light while promoting sustainability. Their sleek design and eco-friendly materials make them a desirable item that recipients will appreciate and use daily.
Pro tip: Customize the bamboo frames with your logo to enhance brand visibility and pair these glasses with other sustainable tech items to create a cohesive and eco-friendly swag bag.
Bamboo Blue Light Blocking Glasses | Reusable
Eco-Friendly Wearables
7. Custom Cotton Crew Socks
Step up your swag game with these premium, USA-made cotton crew socks. Crafted from 75% cotton, 21% nylon, and 4% Lycra, these socks offer a comfortable fit and durability. Available in various sizes, from One Size Fits Most to Adult Large, they're perfect for corporate giveaways, school events, or team uniforms.
Why it works: These socks are not only functional but also eco-friendly, made from renewable resources. Their high-quality construction ensures they'll be worn time and time again, providing lasting brand exposure.
Pro tip: Customize them with your logo or design to create a unique and memorable promotional item.
Custom Socks | USA Made | 19"
8. Recycled PET Hat
This eco-friendly hat is crafted from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), turning discarded plastic bottles into a stylish and sustainable accessory. The structured design ensures a comfortable fit, while the adjustable strap provides versatility for various head sizes.
In addition to being sustainable, this hat is durable, lightweight, and breathable, making it perfect for outdoor events, company outings, or casual everyday wear. Its classic, unisex style ensures it appeals to a wide audience while keeping your brand front and center
Why it works: By choosing this hat, you're not only promoting your brand, but also supporting the reduction of plastic waste. Its classic design makes it suitable for various events, from corporate giveaways to outdoor activities.
Pro tip: Customize the hat with your logo to enhance brand visibility.
Recycled PET Hat
Hydration with Purpose
9. Recycled Aluminum Water Bottle
Elevate your brand's eco-conscious image with this sleek 24 oz. water bottle, crafted from recycled aluminum. Designed for durability and style, it features a BPA-free liner, making it a practical and sustainable choice for daily hydration.
Its lightweight, portable design makes it ideal for commuting, workouts, or outdoor adventures. Plus, the recycled aluminum construction reduces environmental impact compared to traditional single-use bottles, giving recipients a reason to reach for your branded bottle again and again.
Why it works: This bottle not only serves as a functional accessory but also aligns your brand with environmental responsibility. Its reusable design encourages daily use, keeping your brand visible and top of mind.
Tip: Add a personal touch by including a motivational or sustainability-focused message directly on the bottle. For example, “Refill. Reuse. Repeat.” or a short eco-friendly reminder that encourages daily use while reinforcing your brand’s green values.
Recycled Aluminum Water Bottle | 24 oz
Tips for Assembling Better Eco Swag Bags
- Theme it: Choose a theme like “Zero-Waste,” “Outdoor Adventure,” or “Mind & Body” to give your bag coherence.
- Limit single-use items: Skip disposable items like plastic pens or candy wrappers unless they’re compostable.
- Balance cost & impact: Mix lower-cost items (like bamboo pens or seed paper) with one premium item (like a stainless bottle or solar charger).
- Tell the story: Include a small insert card that explains the sustainability of each item (e.g. “This pen is made from bamboo,” “We plant a tree for every order”).
- Encourage reuse: Encourage recipients to repurpose the tote or reuse items long-term.
- Highlight eco credentials: Call out certifications (e.g. B Corp, Prop 65 compliance), recycled/recyclable materials, or that you plant a tree seedling for every order (a signature of your brand).
Driving Impressions with Eco-Friendly Swag
Eco-conscious swag doesn’t have to be gimmicky, it should be thoughtful, useful, and aligned with your brand’s mission. The nine ideas above show how you can build a swag bag that people will keep, use, and love, while reducing waste and elevating your story.
If you’re ready to craft your next sustainable swag bag, browse our full New Eco-Friendly Products collection to discover up-to-date options.
Let us help you design a swag bag that supports your brand values and delights your audience: reach out today at Eco Promotional Products.