Sustainability is the term to know in the promo space this year. In fact, almost half of consumers state they’d feel more favorable about an advertiser who gave them a promo product if it was environmentally friendly, per the 2023 Ad Impressions Study. The numbers don’t lie: if your clients want to appeal to a modern-day audience, sustainability needs to be a key component of their promo investments.

Thankfully, suppliers like Next Level Apparel (asi/73867) are making that easier by offering a vast assortment of eco-conscious styles made with responsibly sourced fabric and produced through sustainable and ethical practices. Win the favor of your clients by crafting a story around the benefits of investing in NLA styles that promote sustainability by highlighting these impactful talking points.

Apparel Made From Recycled Materials 

Let clients know that purchasing promo apparel made from recycled materials is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make progress on sustainable and socially responsible goals. For example, businesses can swap out their previous apparel styles with garments from NLA’s Sustainable Collection instead, which was launched in 2019 and is crafted from eco-friendly fabric. 

ECO Style Selection

• Unisex Eco Heavyweight T-Shirt (4600)
  

That’s not all. Effective since March 1, 2023, NLA has proudly transitioned its entire product line of polyester blended fabrics to use recycled polyester instead, marking a significant step in advancing the company’s longstanding commitment to ethical and responsible sourcing and its ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact. The transition will impact all incoming fabrics as well, so you can keep this supplier in mind for future orders for eco-conscious clients.

CVC Style Selections

• Youth CVC T-Shirt (3312)
• Girl's CVC Princess T-Shirt (3712)
• Unisex CVC T-Shirt (6210)
  
• Women's CVC Relaxed T-Shirt (6600)
  
  
  

Tri-Blend Style Selections 

• Youth Tri-Blend T-Shirt (6310)
  
• Unisex Tri-Blend T-Shirt (6010)
  
• Women's Tri-Blend T-Shirt (6710)
  
  
  

Longer Product Lifetime 

The fabric apparel is made from is only one piece of the sustainable story. The quality of each garment’s construction also has a huge impact on how eco-conscious each piece is. NLA understands that producing high-quality apparel allows garments to last longer and reduces “brandfill” – AKA the concept that cheap, low-quality promo products get thrown away and contribute to waste. NLA clothing, on the other hand, won’t fall apart over time and often gets even softer and more comfortable with time. This allows your clients to feel good that their investments won’t be thrown away and that their shirts will continue to garner impressions for years to come, resulting in a greater cost-per-impression as well. 

Support Suppliers With Sustainable Initiatives 

Think beyond product alone and consider the suppliers themselves when it comes to making a sustainable impact on our planet. Many suppliers take part in their own eco-friendly goals and initiatives and supporting their business only broadens their ability to make a difference. For example, NLA has proudly launched the below sustainable and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) initiatives and is always on the lookout for new opportunities to make an impact.

• Reduced scrap fabric waste
  NLA has made great strides in making their manufacturing practices more sustainable, such as through reducing scrap fabric waste. In fact, since 2019 NLA has saved over 6 million pounds of fabric through these efforts.
• Annual beach cleanup event
  Every year, NLA employees look forward to this annual event where they hit a local beach and pick up trash, putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to cleaning up our planet in an immediate, tangible way.
• Partnership with GK Global
  This strategic partnership with GK Global, a leading expert in sustainable textile solutions, both shortens production lead times by ensuring fabric is produced closer to home and reduces exposure to geopolitical risks, ensuring products are made ethically and arrive on time.
• Partnership with Oritain

NLA is thrilled to work with Oritain, the global leader in product verification source testing. Along with supporting NLA’s ESG commitments, this also reinforces the supplier’s zero-tolerance policy regarding forced labor.

• Partnership with Better Work
  NLA partners with Better Work, a partnership between the United Nation’s International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) - a member of the World Bank Group. Together, these groups work on a factory, national and international level to improve working conditions and respect labor rights for workers.
• Fair Labor Association Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing
  NLA is committed to upholding their Workplace Code of Conduct and FLA’s (Fair Labor Association) Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing throughout their entire global supply chain, making it their mission to improve workers’ lives worldwide.

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