Top 15 Promotional Products for College Graduates for 2024
Graduating from college is a significant milestone, and starting the next chapter of life often comes with new challenges and opportunities. One way to celebrate this achievement and support the journey ahead is with thoughtful, eco-friendly graduation swag.
These items not only provide practical benefits but also reflect a commitment to sustainability, which resonates well with today's eco-minded school graduates. Schools, non-profits, and corporate organizations can use this opportunity to promote their brands by giving away meaningful, customized graduation swag items.
Let’s explore the top 15 promotional products perfect for college graduates in 2024.
1. Stainless Steel Insulated Flask/Tumbler
Branded tumblers are a fantastic gift for any college graduate looking to stay hydrated on the go, offering both style and practicality. They’re perfect for a graduation party and for starting professional life afterward showing pride for their alma mater.
With their ability to keep beverages at the desired temperature for hours, stainless steel flasks are ideal for maintaining the right refreshment throughout a busy day, whether it's hot coffee during morning classes or a cold drink after a workout.
Being made from high-quality, food-safe stainless steel, this insulated tumbler lasts forever, but in a good way. This reusability potential keeps you from having to buy single-use plastic cups and bottles and helps reduce waste.
Our recommendations:
Hydro Flask® Wide Mouth Insulated Tumbler | 32 oz
Stanley Recycled Stainless Steel Quencher Tumbler | 40 oz
These tumblers are made from vacuum-sealed high-quality stainless steel, ensuring long-lasting use and effective insulation. The wide-mouth design allows for easy filling, pouring, and cleaning, while the FDA-tested and BPA-free construction promotes health and safety.
All Hydro Flask purchases support Parks for All, a non-profit organization focused on building, maintaining, restoring, and providing more equitable access to parks. They’re one of the best graduation party giveaways and are great for the environment.
As part of a collaboration with 1% For The Planet, 1% of Stanley tumbler sales go toward environmental nonprofits. Stanley also donates more than 1% of their net income to initiatives focused on nature conservation, sustainability, equal access to outdoor activities, and food security.
2. Recycled Stone Award
Celebrate a school graduate's achievements with a durable and eco-friendly award. This award symbolizes hard work, dedication, and success, making it a cherished keepsake.
Made from sustainable recycled materials, this graduation celebration award is eco-friendly and elegant. Its sleek, modern design makes it perfect for displaying in any setting, from a corporate office and class to a home trophy cabinet.
Our recommendation:
USA Made Synergy Award | Small
This award contains 30% recycled stone and is made in the USA. The packaging is 100% recycled corrugated and recycled packaging paper. When looking for rewarding graduation achievements, select sustainable swag that’s great for the environment, buy this type of unique award and customize it with school colors or other motifs.
This award can also be branded with your university’s logo, serving as a lasting reminder of the graduate’s accomplishment and your brand’s commitment to sustainability. It's an excellent graduation party promotional item that speaks volumes about your brand's values.
3. Recycled rPET Fanny Pack
For graduates on the move, a fanny pack offers convenience and style. It's a versatile accessory that keeps essentials close at hand while promoting eco-friendly choices.
This fanny pack is made from recycled materials, reflecting a commitment to reducing waste. Its compact size and adjustable strap make it a practical and fashionable choice for daily use. Give recycled fanny packs at graduation parties, class reunions, and celebrate other school events in style. It makes for perfect eco-responsible party swag.
Our recommendation:
Recycled Sport Cross Body Fanny Pack | 2x7x5
This crossbody bag is made with approximately 90% recycled content. Additionally, through a collaboration with 1% For The Planet, one percent of sales from this product will be donated to nonprofit organizations focused on environmental protection.
Customize this fanny pack with your brand’s logo or school colors to create a stylish and functional promotional item. It's an excellent example of how not all products made from recycled materials are created equally – we vouch for ours as far as sustainability and quality are concerned.
4. Recycled rPET Zippered Tote
A zippered tote is a versatile and eco-friendly gift for seniors and graduate students. It's perfect for carrying books, groceries, or gym gear, making it a practical addition to their daily routines.
This tote is made from certified recycled materials, showcasing a commitment to environmental responsibility. Its two-tone design adds a touch of style, while the zippered closure ensures security.
This is the perfect free graduation swag item for students who aren’t afraid to celebrate the planet both in and out of class.
Our recommendation:
Recycled Zippered Tote | Two-Tone | 13x5x18
Thanks to a partnership with 1% For The Planet, one percent of the sales from this bag will be donated to nonprofits committed to environmental protection.
If you’re a school looking to capture the minds and hearts of seniors and grad students, consider gifting them these zippered totes and customize the decoration in school colors and logos. They also make excellent party favors among graduation party guests.
For a company or nonprofit organization, this tote can be customized with brand logos and text, making it a great promotional item that reflects your brand's eco-friendly values. It's a sustainable, reusable alternative to single-use bags, helping to reduce plastic waste. Use these items as party favors to boost brand visibility among guests at school events.
5. Reusable Wheeled Cooler
Graduating college students often embark on new adventures, and a reliable cooler is the perfect companion for those journeys. Whether it's a weekend getaway, a picnic in the park, or a beach trip, this cooler ensures their refreshments stay cool and fresh.
Though it’s one of the more expensive graduation swag items, a wheeled cooler is an excellent promotional item for college graduates, providing long-lasting use and brand visibility. Plus, it’s an excellent gift for high-performing students in each class in the entire school. It’s one way to celebrate their achievement while hinting at loads of summer fun when class is over.
Our recommendation:
Coleman® Wheeled Cooler USA Made | 16 QT
This Coleman® cooler is proudly made in the USA, reinforcing its quality and supporting local manufacturing. Its 16-quart capacity is ideal for holding drinks and snacks, making it a versatile addition to any outdoor school event.
The wheeled design adds convenience, allowing users to transport it effortlessly, whether they're navigating school grounds or heading to a summer festival. It can hold up to 22 cans or a variety of your favorite foods and snacks. Under typical conditions, it maintains cold temperatures for 24-48 hours.
In terms of sustainability, this cooler is vetted safe, BPA-free, and FDA-approved in alignment with eco-friendliness and various health regulations. Its sturdy construction means it will stand the test of time, reducing the need for replacements and thus minimizing waste.
If this is a bit too high-budget for your school graduation party, browse through our outdoor and leisure for more fun, sustainable graduation party items. These include can coolers (custom koozies), cooler totes, and lunch coolers.
6. rPET Picnic Blanket
There’s hardly a more unique gift item for a grad party than picnic blankets with unique personalization. Not only is it a wonderful recognition of the graduate’s achievement, it’s also perfect for most school institutions and can be used at most public and private sites.
A picnic blanket is a wonderful gift to give at a graduation party for graduates who enjoy outdoor activities. It's perfect for picnics, beach trips, or outdoor concerts, providing comfort and convenience long after the graduation party celebration is over.
These blankets are made from 100% recycled PET bottles, showcasing a commitment to sustainability. Their generous size and soft texture make them practical and eco-friendly party favors for any grad class and party guests.
Our recommendation:
Oversized RPET Picnic Blanket | Recycled | 60x70
Featuring a water-resistant backing, this particular picnic blanket from Eco Promotional Products, Inc., measures 60" x 70" when unfolded. It can be conveniently folded and rolled up to a compact 15" x 10".
The front pocket, perfect for displaying your school’s logo, provides easy storage for keys or picnic accessories. You can also customize it with your school colors. Additionally, it includes a handle on the bottom of the pouch for effortless carrying or hanging. All these wonderful features make this blanket one of the best grad giveaways.
Best of all, the product is made of 100% recycled rPET material, which is plastic that has been recycled and remade into these wonderful products. In collaboration with 1% For The Planet, one percent of this product's sales are donated to environmental nonprofits.
7. Recycled Laptop Tech Sleeve
Graduates stepping into their careers will find a laptop tech sleeve to be a valuable accessory. It offers protection and style for their laptops while being a reminder of hard work at school and their achievements.
From seniors to grad level, students of any class will find a custom laptop tech sleeve personalized with school colors handy for graduation party items in and after school.
This sleeve is made from recycled materials, providing a durable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional laptop cases. Its sleek design and padded interior ensure safety and style.
Our recommendation:
Recycled Laptop Tech Sleeve | Reusable
Brand this tech sleeve with your logo to create a customizable and functional promotional item. It's an excellent way to promote your brand while supporting environmental responsibility.
For businesses and organizations looking to promote brand visibility during graduation party events on a school site, this is a perfect promotional item. It's a highly visible branding option with high utility value that is bound to get the conversation centered around your college’s branded products.
Plus, these laptop tech sleeves show your commitment to the environment. Through a partnership with 1% For The Planet, one percent of this product’s sales are donated to environmental nonprofits.
8. Custom Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Music-loving graduates will appreciate this bamboo wireless Bluetooth speaker. It's a stylish and eco-friendly way to enjoy favorite tunes, whether at home or on the go. From the time of the graduation party to fun times in and out of school, this is the ideal gift that helps celebrate the accomplishments of a grad student.
This Bluetooth speaker is made from bamboo, a renewable resource, which makes it a sustainable and environmentally responsible choice. Its compact size and wireless functionality make it a practical and stylish accessory for carrying around and playing favorite tunes at the graduation party and beyond.
Our recommendation:
Bamboo Wireless Bluetooth Speaker | Customizable
Boasting up to 6 hours of playtime, this custom Bluetooth speaker is ideal for days seniors and grad students spend at the park or beach. Features an LED battery indicator light. The 1200 mAh battery has a 3-hour charging time and includes a Type-C charging port and cable.
Best of all, you can customize this speaker with your school’s brand logo to create a unique and memorable grad promotional item. It's a great way to give your brand a boost while promoting sustainability among a new class of graduates.
9. Solar Power Bank Charger
The power bank charger is a must-have for school graduates. It provides reliable power on the go, ensuring their devices are always charged and ready.
This power bank is made from aluminum and features a solar panel, making it an eco-friendly and efficient energy solution. Its high capacity ensures long-lasting power, perfect for busy schedules and travel.
The solar bank is a highly functional graduation party gift item that you can give as a school, non-profit organization, or as a brand seeking to grow your reputation among the new class of seniors and graduates. It proves to them that your organization is ready to commit to sustainability, which is an important factor in the modern hiring environment.
As reported by the WSJ, 55% of Gen Zs say they research a brand’s environmental impact before accepting a job from them.
Our recommendation:
Aluminum Solar Power Bank Charger | 8000 mAh
Equipped with dual outputs for charging two devices simultaneously, this device includes power indicator lights and a built-in flashlight. This device also features dual outputs for charging two devices simultaneously and power indicator lights.
The top on/off button, when pressed twice, activates the flashlight. It's the perfect accessory to keep devices charged and connected. The package also includes a micro USB cable and user guide, making it ideal for a school or class specializing in technical courses.
Brand this power bank with your brand logo to create a customizable and practical promotional item, no matter the site where it’s used. It's a sustainable solution that promotes energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
10. Notebook & Pen Gift Set
Celebrate graduates entering the professional world with this valuable and stylish notebook and pen gift set. It’s perfect for jotting down notes, ideas, and plans right from the graduation party to class events later in life.
This gift set includes a high-quality notebook and a pen designed for durability and elegance. Seniors and grad students who want to cherish their college experience and memories will appreciate this graduation party gift. This set helps them capture written sentiments while being a powerful professional gift item to celebrate an extraordinary achievement.
The notebook is made from sustainably sourced materials, reflecting a commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Our recommendation:
Moleskine Notebook & Pen Gift Set | Large
This Moleskine Notebook & Pen Gift Set includes an expandable inner pocket and contains 240 pages (120 sheets) of FSC-certified, acid-free paper. It’s perfect for use in class, in the office, and as a personal diary to celebrate other life achievements.
Customize this gift set with your brand’s logo to create a branded and thoughtful promotional item. Personalization options also include embossed covers, custom inserts, or your choice of notebook color.
When looking for high-quality, memorable, branded graduation swag to celebrate a remarkable academic achievement, this is it. It's a great way to promote your brand while supporting sustainable practices.
11. Recycled rPET Zippered Padfolio
For graduates entering the corporate world, a zippered padfolio is an indispensable accessory that combines functionality with professionalism. It not only helps keep documents and essentials neatly organized but also adds a touch of sophistication to their business attire.
Giving one of these at the graduation party shows how much your school or other organization values their professional development. Make it a customized class gift at their grad party, or celebrate their achievement with a set of professional tools such as pens and personalized notebooks.
Our recommendation:
Recycled rPET Zippered Padfolio | 9x14
This padfolio is made from recycled PET bottles, providing a durable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional padfolios. Its zippered design ensures security, while the interior pockets offer ample storage for pens, cards, headphones, pens, and a 30-page writing pad.
Brand this padfolio with your logo to create a customizable and functional promotional item that students and guests alike won’t forget. Personalization elements for seniors can also include customized school colors. It's an excellent party favor you can use to promote your brand to graduation guests and seniors while supporting environmental responsibility.
12. Self-Watering Planter Kit
Graduates who don’t have a lot of time on their hands will appreciate a unique self-watering planter kit. It’s a fun, practical and eco-friendly way to keep your school pride and grow plants, promoting a sustainable lifestyle.
This planter kit includes everything needed to grow a plant, including a unique self-watering system that ensures optimal plant growth. It’s made from sustainably sourced materials, reflecting a commitment to eco-friendly practices.
For a school or department that appreciates sustainability, this is also a gift that can be placed in a prominent site to celebrate each class as it moves to the next level. Think of it as a life wall of fame that seniors can admire, with plants for each year. Additionally, graduates can remember their school experience each time they see the planter kit.
Our recommendation:
Custom Self Watering Planter Kit
This graduation gift swag item includes a ceramic planter, a glass water reservoir, two hydroponic wicks, your choice of seed packets, and a peat pellet in an informative kraft paper box.
Eco Promotional Products, Inc.’s factory has teamed up with One Tree Planted to support reforestation efforts. Schools can use these customizable planters to boost awareness and attract more applications for the next class.
If you’re a corporate or non-profit institution, this planter kit can be customized with your brand’s logo to create a unique and memorable promotional item. It’s a great way to promote sustainability and support eco-conscious living at school events and any other grad party celebration.
13. Bio-Leather Luggage Tag
Graduates embarking on new adventures will find the Pineapple Bio Leather Luggage Tag to be a stylish and eco-friendly accessory. It adds a touch of sophistication to their travel gear and identifies their school with pride.
This luggage tag is made from pineapple bio-leather, a sustainable and biodegradable material. Its durable design ensures long-lasting use, while the eco-friendly materials reflect a commitment to environmental responsibility. It won’t last forever, but it’s nearly as strong and rugged as real leather.
No matter the site where this bio-leather tag is used, it’s bound to draw attention to the school whose brand it carries.
Our recommendation:
Pineapple Bio Leather Luggage Tag
This bio luggage tag features an adjustable strap, slot for your information and a snap closure to keep your information private. Remember to add important details such as phone number and address in case the luggage needs to be traced back to the owner.
The luggage tag can be customized with a more eco-friendly decoration technique called debossing to create a logo-branded and elegant graduation party promotional item. It’s a great way to celebrate an achievement and promote your brand while supporting sustainable practices.
14. Recycled Wrist Support and Screen Cleaner
A wrist support is a thoughtful and practical gift for graduates entering the workforce. It provides comfort and support during long hours at the computer, promoting a healthy and eco-friendly workspace.
Made from recycled materials, this wrist support is both durable and environmentally responsible. Its dual functionality as a screen cleaner adds to its practicality, and recipients will be forever grateful for this thoughtful and ergonomic graduation party gift.
Plus, it’s a budget-friendly graduation swag item that any school, class group, or other institution can afford to give graduating students in celebration of their achievement.
Our recommendation:
Recycled Wrist Support | Screen Cleaner | Full Color | USA Made
This microfiber wrist support is crafted in the USA from 100% microfiber for excellent cleaning and comfort and filled with recycled dairy bottles.
Remember that, for every order, no matter how small, Eco Promotional Product, Inc. plants a tree seedling on behalf of your organization.
This wrist support can be customized with your school or brand logo to create a functional and eco-friendly graduation party promotional item. It’s an excellent way to support graduates while promoting environmental responsibility.
15. Seed Paper Confetti Packet
Celebrate your graduation without creating toxic waste.
The Seed Paper Confetti Packet is an innovative and eco-friendly party favor for graduates celebrating their school achievements. It's a fun and sustainable way to add a touch of celebration while promoting environmental responsibility.
This paper confetti is made from natural biodegradable seed paper, ensuring it leaves no waste behind. When planted, the seeds grow into wildflowers, making it a gift that keeps on giving year after year.
Our recommendation:
Seed Paper Confetti Packet | USA Made
Personalize this confetti packet with your school or brand logo to create a memorable and eco-friendly graduation party promotional item. It’s a great way to celebrate sustainably and give your brand a boost while supporting a cleaner, greener planet.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can eco-friendly graduation party products with school colors enhance your CSR initiatives?
Eco-friendly promotional products can significantly enhance a school or company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by showcasing the commitment to sustainability.
Single-use graduation party products are known to cause pollution, so our eco-friendly alternatives reflect the company's values and efforts to reduce environmental impact. Products with donation programs giving back can improve public perception and foster trust among eco-minded stakeholders and customers.
2. What key features make eco-friendly graduation swag appealing to college graduates?
Eco-friendly promotional products appeal to school graduates because they combine practicality with sustainability. Features such as recycled or biodegradable materials, reusability, and safety accreditations like BPA-free or FDA-compliant add to their appeal. School graduates appreciate items that not only serve a purpose but also align with their values of environmental responsibility.
3. How do eco-friendly promotional items support a zero-waste lifestyle for school graduates?
Eco-friendly graduation party promotional items support a zero-waste lifestyle by encouraging the use of reusable and long-lasting products. Items like reusable quality drinkware tumblers, tote bags, and reusable and refillable items reduce reliance on single-use plastics and disposable products.
By incorporating these into their daily routines, school graduates can significantly minimize their waste generation and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Check out our website on your browser to find more mind-blowing graduation party favors and gifts.