Tips to Promote Campus Sustainability with Custom Eco-friendly Swag

Colleges and universities find exciting ways to rally students and faculty together in support of their missions to have stronger and more conscious campus cultures. Whether it’s Campus Sustainability Month, Earth Day, or other environmentally friendly themed events, higher education leaders strategize on the best ways to maintain meaningful engagement and add educational value for sustainably community success. 

Discover how Eco Promotional Products, Inc. (EPP) has empowered institutions to drive positive community impacts by choosing environmentally and socially responsible branded merchandise over traditional promotional products.

How to Reduce Waste on Campus with Custom Eco-friendly Products 

Eliminating disposable items like single-use bags, utensil sets, and water bottles is a popular approach to reducing plastic waste on campus. To sustain long-lasting change, it is important for colleges and universities to introduce practical and purposeful product solutions. Here are examples of eco-responsible logoed products that can elevate environmental commitments tied to waste reduction on campus:  

• Reusable snack and sandwich bags are unique and affordable sustainable promotional products with zero waste advantages. Made with organic cotton and recycled PET, these eco-friendly reusable snack and sandwich bags are amazing alternatives to single-use plastic snack bags.  Customize reusable snack and sandwich bags with school logos, mascots, or messaging to promote green values and support plastic reduction targets. Students and faculty members will appreciate having a purpose tool that can be used daily and prevent plastic pollution on campus. 
• Campuses making strides to ban single-use cutlery sets and straws because of their devastating effects on human and ecological health often lead campaigns to encourage the use of reusable utensil sets and straws. Branded utensil sets are excellent giveaways for waste-free workshops and events. Customizable utensil sets crafted with 40% renewable plant fiber content, featuring a reusable straw with a fork, spoon, and knife, are trendy and attractive promotional products for all audiences. Buildable straw sets made from 20% wheat straw are green alternatives to single-use straws. These reusable straw sets can be used for hot and cold beverages and come with a cleaner brush. Designed for easy storage, travel straw sets made with eco-friendly materials can be stored in backpacks, purses, and totes for daily use. 
• Reusable wheat straw bento box lunch sets help users stay green on the go. Eco-friendly lunch containers made from renewable resources use less energy and resources during production, lowering global environmental impacts. They are microwave safe and designed for easy travel. Branded wheat straw bento boxes are great sustainable product giveaways for students and faculty looking to curb their plastic consumption on campus. 
• Reusable travel cups are an excellent choice for colleges and universities looking for a promotional item that inspires waste-free practices. USA-made 16-ounce travel cups encourage sustainable habits by reducing the need for single-use cups and plastic bottles and are crafted from 30% post-industrial recycled content. Designed for on-the-go convenience, they are perfect for campus populations to embrace a zero-waste lifestyle. 

Promoting Green Transportation for On-Campus Residents and Commuters

Whether students live on campus or commute, eco-friendly branded products can encourage sustainable transportation choices. Custom items that promote biking, walking, or other green transportation methods are essential for inspiring environmentally conscious habits. Here’s how the following eco-friendly products add value to colleges and universities looking to promote green transportation: 

• Customizable silicone LED bike lights made from durable and reusable materials increase the safety and visibility of cyclists on campus.With an easy-to-attach design, multiple light settings, and the ability to be attached to helmets and backpacks, these lights encourage frequent bike use as an alternative to driving, aligning with sustainable campus goals. Reusable bike lights can also be used for hiking, camping, and dog walking at night.  
• Bicycle repair tool kits are a must-have for any cyclist. Bike repair tool kits are compact, multi-functional items designed to help cyclists maintain their bikes, reducing their dependence on driving a car on campus. Reusable bike repair tool kits feature a portable case with a mini carabiner, six functional keys, a slotted screwdriver, adaptor wrenches, and a three-piece socket. Cyclists will appreciate the long-lasting advantages of receiving this promotional gift and be encouraged to ride their bike around campus or for daily commutes. 
• Recycled safety drawstring backpacks are crafted from recycled materials and feature reflective safety strips that enhance visibility during night commutes. Eco-friendly drawstring backpacks are spacious, making them ideal for carrying campus essentials. Users walking at night will feel safe and feel good keeping a product that aligns with campus sustainability goals.  

Green Swag for Campus Sustainability 

EPP specialized in eco-friendly promotional items that are functional and affordable with a sustainable edge. The products mentioned in this blog play a key role in helping higher education spaces adopt more environmentally conscious practices like reducing waste, lowering their carbon emissions, and making more sustainable purchases.  

Curious about more eco-friendly promotional products to boost campus sustainability? Call 877-ECO-WINS (877-326-9467) to speak with a dedicated customer representative for further assistance. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Who would benefit from using eco-friendly promotional products in the higher education space?  

Eco-friendly promotional products are helpful tools for a wide variety of groups within the higher education community. Students, staff, faculty, and visitors can all benefit from these sustainable product alternatives. Student organizations can use eco-friendly promotional products to advertise their events or causes while aligning with institutional sustainability goals. Department leaders and administrators use sustainable branded swag to boost school pride while reducing waste and reinforcing a shared sense of responsibility toward a greener future. Eco Promotional Products, Inc. (EPP) has experienced partnering with athletic departments, student affairs divisions, residential life committees, research centers, and other groups leaning toward sustainable choices in colleges and universities.  

Why should colleges and universities use customizable products with sustainable advantages? 

Customizable swag with environmentally friendly and socially responsible advantages supports institutional goals to boost campus engagement, pride, and sustainable development. Eco-friendly promotional products serve as tangible reminder of the institution’s dedication to environmental responsibility and creating a more conscious campus environment for all. 

How can eco-friendly promotional products contribute to campus sustainability efforts? 

Eco-friendly products can directly reduce corporate environmental footprints by promoting the use of recycled, biodegradable, or reusable materials. Items such as reusable water bottles and tote bags reduce reliance on single-use plastics and other non-renewable materials. Universities can elevate their campus culture to value sustainability and inspire campus populations to take climate action by incorporating sustainable swag giveaways. Also, integrating purposeful promotional products into campus-wide campaigns can raise awareness of sustainability initiatives and motivate campus communities to participate in collective efforts like waste reduction, recycling, and green transportation.