In April, ASI Media’s Promo for the Planet initiative celebrated its first birthday not with cake but with a week of sustainability-related coverage, such as an in-depth examination of the circular economy, and a debunking of some of the most common objections to sustainable products. Both of those features made it onto our ASI Media Top 10 list of the most-viewed sustainability stories published on the Promo for the Planet page in 2023. There was also room on the list for useful how-to pieces and noteworthy news from big brands like Nike and Patagonia. Take a look at the sustainability stories that held the most sway among our readers over the last 12 months.

1

Greenwashing Lawsuit Against Nike Claims Recycled Polyester Apparel Isn’t Sustainable

Greenwashing, when companies make claims that a product is sustainable when it isn’t, has been an issue of growing concern, as brands rush to prove their commitment to environmental responsibility. So, when a proposed class action lawsuit took issue with Nike calling its recycled polyester and recycled nylon sustainable, promo ears perked up. The argument is that recycled polyester and nylon are “still plastic” and not biodegradable, and thus aren’t environmentally friendly. Plus, the suit noted, such materials shed harmful microplastic pollution when laundered. The arguments have merit, but proponents point out that recycled synthetics do help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep items out of landfills, adding that they’re a starting point in the sustainability journey, not the end destination.

2

Patagonia Once Again Allows Direct Branding on Apparel

Patagonia rocked the promo world two years ago when it disallowed co-branding directly on garments, citing sustainability concerns. So, when news broke that co-branding was once again kosher (as long it’s off the front chest of garments), it was a big deal for distributors. As Mel Hubner of Brand Fuel (asi/145025) put it at the time: “Our clients never stopped asking for the Patagonia brand, and we’re excited to be able to offer this purpose-driven retail brand again.”

3

4 Major Sustainability Trends for 2023

At the beginning of 2023, we predicted that the promo industry would hear more about a variety of sustainability topics, from thoughtful design and packaging alternatives to circularity and pushing out PFAS – the so-called “forever chemicals” that have traditionally been used to create nonstick coatings in cookware and water-repellant finishes on outerwear. And, indeed, news related to all four trends continued to crop up on the Promo for the Planet page throughout the year.

4

How Promo Can Join the Circular Economy

The circular economy – where old or obsolete items and factory-floor waste become the material input to create new products – is an idea gaining traction, as people look for ways to protect and preserve natural resources and keep waste out of landfills. In this feature story, we looked at some of the promo companies already engaged in circular practices and how the industry as a whole can “close the loop” on production.

5

5 Common Sustainability Myths & Objections Debunked

There’s a lot of misinformation among the average end-buyer when it comes to sustainability. Many people believe that eco-friendly products don’t work as well as conventional counterparts or that they’re prohibitively expensive. This listicle clears up some of the confusion – arming promo pros with responses that will help them deal with sustainability skeptics.

6

4 Steps for Writing a Sustainability Mission Statement

Writing a green mission statement can be a useful exercise as companies develop their sustainability strategy. Defining your values as they relate to social responsibility and environmental preservation will help put all stakeholders on the same page and guide future initiatives. But how to go about writing it? We shared four simple tips to help promo pros get started.

7

Commentary: I Don’t Want To Throw Away These Logoed T-Shirts

When C.J. Mittica, ASI Media’s editor-in-chief, wanted to do the right thing and keep his daughters’ old fun-run and summer camp tees out of landfills, he ran into a conundrum. Few charities are willing to accept secondhand clothing bearing logos. He outlined his journey to find a new home for his family’s outgrown clothing in this commentary – sharing some notable statistics about textile recycling along the way.

8

How to Make Promo an Essential Part of Sustainable Trade Shows

For its annual Dreamforce conference, Salesforce instituted a new swag policy, asking that any giveaways meet at least two sustainability criteria. This raised alarm bells for some in the promo industry. But sustainable events and promotional products don’t have to be mutually exclusive. This feature explored how some distributors are meeting brands’ more stringent sustainability requirements, while still exciting and delighting end-users.

9

Building a People-First Company

The “Triple Bottom Line” prompts businesses to measure their success in terms of people and planet, rather than just profit. When sustainability is discussed, there’s often a laser-focus on the environmental aspects of the term, but social responsibility and consideration for all stakeholders – including workers, consumers and the community at large – is just as vital. In this feature, we profiled a handful of suppliers and distributors to show what makes them people-focused.

10

How the Quiet Luxury Trend Promotes Sustainable Style

One of the biggest fashion trends of the year was also one of the most understated. Quiet luxury – the basis of just about any outfit donned by Shiv Roy in HBO’s Succession, which ended a four-season run this spring – is all about timeless, sophisticated basics and high-quality pieces that whisper wealth, rather than shout it out. It’s a trend well-suited for sustainable apparel “because it’s focused on investing in quality,” notes Kathy Cheng, president of Canada’s Redwood Classics Apparel (asi/81627).

Promo for the Planet is your destination for the latest news, biggest trends and best ideas to help build a more sustainable and socially-responsible industry.