One for One giveback program, tree planting initiative
Donates an equal amount of product from the same category to the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources (NAEIR), which distributes the items to schools and nonprofits. So far, Aakron has donated more than $9 million in products to NAEIR. On the environmental side, the supplier plants two trees for each one it consumes and uses 100% recycled boxes, among other initiatives.
Winnebago Waterways
In 2022, a percentage of sales for every purchase supported Winnebago Waterways, a local independent organization that advocates effective policies and actions that protect, restore and sustain water resources in the Fox-Wolf River Basin in Wisconsin, which provides drinking water to over 200,000 people.
Fair Labor Association
alphabroder is a participating company with the Fair Labor Association. The supplier says its workplace code of conduct is in full alignment with the FLA’s Principles for Responsible Sourcing and Responsible Production.
Fair Labor Association
The Antigua Group is a participating member of the Fair Labor Association. Participating companies join FLA on a voluntary basis, committing to ensure fair labor practices and safe and human working conditions throughout their supply chains.
Rainforest Trust, The Ocean Cleanup
Ariel Premium Supply launched an environmental and social responsibility program in August 2022. The supplier will donate $1 to environmental causes for every order placed by a distributor customer. In the program's first two months, the firm had donated nearly $25,000 to Rainforest Trust and The Ocean Cleanup.
Green Himalayas, Golden Mile Learning
Rajesh Patel, CEO, is also the co-founder of Green Himalayas, a charity that has thus far planted over 500,000 trees at the base of the Himalayas, home of the third-largest glacier in the world and one of the most fragile ecosystems on Earth. AWS has also worked with Golden Mile Learning, which provides for the health and education of impoverished students in the remote, impoverished Ladakh region of India.
Textile Exchange, Bosco dei Racconti
This Italian supplier of sustainable headwear has started numerous initiatives to protect the planet, including preserving a private forest near its headquarters through its Bosco dei Racconti program and sponsoring a “biodiversity oasis” to help monitor and protect bees. The company uses various organic and recycled fabrics in its products and has begun conducting life cycle assessments (LCAs) of products to measure their impact.
1% for the Planet, GOTS, Global Recycled Standard
Attraction (asi/37442), a Lac-Drolet, QC-based apparel supplier, is certified carbon neutral by Less Emissions. The company uses certified organic and recycled fibers and also develops products from textile scraps. Its Ethica line is entirely manufactured in Canada within a 500-mile radius. The supplier says it has developed recycled black ink and uses low-temperature screen-printing ink to reduce its impact. Its packaging is recycled and recyclable. Through its partnership with 1% for the Planet, the supplier supports Les Urbainculteurs and Stable Harvest Farm.
B Corp, Power 2 Sustain
Bagito makes products from recycled plastic, certified organic cotton and bamboo. The supplier donates 10% of sales to its sister nonprofit, Power 2 Sustain, which teaches K-12 students about environmental literacy.
One Strong Family, Advance Panama, Special Olympics, Angel Tree
BamBams' efforts include: minimum of 1% donated in cash to charitable causes; minimum of 1% of revenue equivalent dollars in product donated (at cost); minimum of 1% of time volunteered; 10% or more of total positions are filled by individuals with special needs; its own 20-year-old charity and new social enterprise; minimum 10% in-kind donation as a percent of gross sale or of calendar-year inventory.
1:1 blanket donation
For every blanket purchased, the supplier donates another to someone in need. Since 2016, Beantown Blankets has donated over 500,000 blankets to various nonprofits and shelters across the U.S.
Fair Labor Accredited, WRAP
The supplier is an accredited member of the Fair Labor Association, after undergoing a rigorous, multiyear assessment, and the factories it uses are WRAP certified.
B Corp
Bloomin Promotions creates seed paper from 100% post-industrial, recycled paper dyed with all-natural, vegetable-based pigments. Its production facility is powered by a 30kW solar-power system.
B Corp, Climate Smart, Oceana, PFLAG
Botanical PaperWorks is a women-owned business that makes circular economy products including seed paper made from recycled paper waste and upcycled products from discarded pallet wood Each year, they calculate greenhouse gas emissions through Radicle’s Climate Smart sustainability consulting firm. The supplier also has giveback product lines that raise funds for Oceana and PFLAG, and the team plans internal events such as litter cleanup and recycling drives.
4Ocean
BYBBA makes reusable bags created from recycled materials. The supplier is partnered with ocean cleanup group 4Ocean. For each of its bags sold – whether wholesale, business to business or direct to consumer – BYBBA will fund the removal of one pound of plastic waste through the efforts of 4Ocean’s team and infrastructure.
Camp Hope Giveback Program, Boy Scouts of America
Cap America has been contributing 5% of sales from select styles to Camp Hope since 2019. The donations help provide all-expenses-paid adventures for military veterans wounded in service. The supplier recently made a $10,000 donation to support the Boy Scouts of America’s Ozark Trailblazers District of the Greater St. Louis Area Council.
B Corp, Donorschoose.org, 1% for the Planet
The supplier earned its B Corp certification in May 2023. 5% of sales of Chameleon Like's paperzen product line go to underfunded public schools through donorschoose.org; 1% of its packaging sales go to environmentally focused nonprofits through 1% for the Planet; the supplier says it's committed to donating at least 1% of total revenue to charitable donations.
Trees for the Future
The supplier works with Trees for the Future, a nonprofit focused on land restoration in developing communities. Since 2010, CHAMPRO has had more than 2.1 million trees planted.
Charles River Cares
The supplier's charitable giving program, Charles River Cares, was founded in 2010 with a focus on helping people in need through in-kind and monetary donations, employee volunteerism and fundraising events. The supplier’s giving partners include Meals on Wheels America, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Pan-Mass Challenge, Cradles to Crayons, Christmas in the City, Catie’s Closet, Wellness Warriors and Circle of Hope. Since 2018, Charles River Apparel has donated over 80,000 products to charitable organizations nationwide. In 2024, the supplier is donating 3% of net sales from its Franconia Collection to Meals on Wheels America, with a goal of reaching $25,000 for the charity.
B Corp, Climate Neutral Certified, 1% for the Planet
This Certified B Corp, which makes reusable bags from recycled materials and reusable bamboo cutlery, donates 1% of annual sales from its rePETe line of products directly to environmentally focused charities.
Compass Cares
Each month, Compass Industries makes a general donation to a charity that staff members feel connected to. Among the many recipients have been Make-A-Wish, The Trevor Project, No Kid Hungry and Paws of War.
Crystal D Cares
The St. Paul, MN-based supplier of corporate awards and gifts contributes 20% of total product sales of its Legacy Gallery to four nonprofits it selected for 2024: Water for South Sudan; the International Rett Syndrome Foundation; The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption; and 4 Paws for Ability.
Fair Labor Association
Cutter & Buck is a participating member of the Fair Labor Association. The supplier also says it has committed to making 90% of its product line sustainable by 2025.
Pencils of Promise, BuildOn
Every purchase helps fund the ongoing work of education projects worldwide. So far, the supplier says it has funded six schools and other initiatives to help students in Mali, Guatemala, Laos, Ghana, Nicaragua and the U.S.
B Corp, Fair Trade Certified ingredients, USDA Organic and Non-GMO ingredients
Eco Lips, a Certified B Corp, is helping to fund Connect CR, an effort to revitalize Cedar Lake and its trails in Cedar Rapids, IA. The supplier runs its facility on 100% renewable wind energy and uses Fair Trade Certified cocoa butter, coconut oil and raw sugar in a variety of its products. The USDA Organic Certified facility is also FDA Certified as well as an UL cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) compliant company.
1% for the Planet, Green America, Organic Trade Association
The supplier donates 1% of its profits to organizations that include SEE Turtles, EarthJustice and Oceana. The supplier’s headquarters are powered by 100% local renewable EverGreen electricity, which taps solar power by day and geothermal energy by night.
Conservation International
The Toronto-based supplier with a focus on sustainable products launched a giveback program in 2024, designating a portion of sales each year to Conservation International, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting oceans, forests and other ecosystems.
1% for the Planet
This Boulder, CO-based maker of recyclable drinkware is a member of 1% for the Planet and notes on its website that it donates 5% of all online sales to environmental nonprofits, including Water for People, Leave No Trace and Protect Our Winters.
Various charities
Edwards provides in-kind and monetary donations, along with volunteer opportunities, to charities that emphasize children, education and families. Among the organizations it supports are Big Brothers Big Sisters and the United Way.
Charity: Water, Beautify Earth, Bright Pink, Alzheimer’s Association
Elemental Bottles says it has dedicated 3% of its profits to fund various causes, including Charity: Water, which helps provide clean water to the millions of people around the world who don’t have it, and Beautify Earth, which connects local artists and city wall owners to create murals.
Various charities
Among the organizations that have received donations from Emblematics: Breast Cancer Research Foundation, The MS Society, American Heart Association, JDRF, Snowball Express (for families of fallen soldiers) and Noah's Light (for pediatric brain cancer). The supplier says its offices are powered by 100% solar energy, it’s planted thousands of trees and recycled thousands of pounds of materials.
veritree
ETS Express has partnered with veritree, a company that connects businesses with verified tree-planting projects that create local jobs, sequester carbon and restore ecosystems. Every order placed through ETS Express supports verified nature-positive projects around the globe, including in the U.S., according to the supplier. ETS Express also notes that it reduces landfill impact by reusing packaging materials from its factory, including master and inner cartons, gift boxes and polybags.
Goodwill Columbus
The supplier regularly donates new apparel to the charity. It recently donated $200,000 worth of polos.
Global Recycled Standard
The Yorba Linda, CA-based supplier recently released a line of tech accessories that meet the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), with more than 50% of content by weight made of recycled materials.
Climate Neutral Certified, Global Recycled Standard Certified
This closed-loop apparel supplier makes T-shirts and other basics from certified 100% recycled cotton, helping to prevent textile waste from ending up in landfills. The firm notes that compared to organic tees, 120 of its recycled shirts save more than 134,000 gallons of water in production, among other environmental benefits.
KABOOM!
The supplier matches every dollar spent up to $10,000 a year to create playgrounds for children. Fairytale Brownies has worked with KABOOM! Since 2001 and has contributed more than $600,00.
1% for the Planet, B Corp, Fill It Forward giveback app
All products include the free Fill it Forward app that tracks environmental impact and supports meaningful charitable projects around the world. Every time the bottle/product is scanned, the supplier donates to charities that include WaterAid, charity: water, Second Harvest foodbank and One Tree Planted.
Fruitful Futures
Fruitful Futures is the company's sustainability plan. The supplier, which has been recognized environmental nonprofit CDP for its sustainability efforts, said it has reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 68% since 2018. The company also shared that it donates millions of dollars each year in cash and in-kind product donations through its Threads of Change program, aiding organizations like the American Red Cross and World Vision.
B Corp, EcoVadis Bronze, One Tree Planted, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, One Family Inc., Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
Last year, Gemline donated more than $973,000 in cash and in-kind donations to charitable causes, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and range of local charities. The supplier, which has a Bronze rating from EcoVadis, also has a partnership with One Tree Planted, funding the planting of 37,850 trees in 2023. The partnership was also part of Gemline’s efforts to offset Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions.
Fair Labor Accredited, Better Cotton, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, various charities
The apparel supplier, which was named one of the World’s 100 Most Sustainable Corporations by Corporate Knights, says it contributed $1.1 million to community initiatives in 2022. Among them is a partnership with Room to Read, which helps girls in grades six through 12 develop education skills and knowledge. Last year, Gildan also launched a three-year, $40,000 partnership with the Santo Domingo Water Fund (FASD) in the Dominican Republic to improve the supply of high-quality water for residents near company operations.
One Tree Planted
Through its Green Gallery line, Hixson, TN-based Gold Bond supports One Tree Planted’s urban reforestation fund, which will provide for 27 planting projects across 24 American cities, supporting the health and livelihood of millions. For each Green Gallery order, the supplier will have anywhere from one to 10 trees planted, depending on the size of the order.
EcoVadis Bronze, Water.org, The Children’s Village
The supplier received a bronze rating from sustainability assessment platform EcoVadis. In addition, Gordon Sinclair says it donates 1% of proceeds of many of its eco-friendly items to Water.org, a nonprofit dedicated to providing safe water and sanitation for families. In 2023, the supplier donated more than $9,000 to the organization. The supplier has also donated excess inventory items to The Children’s Village, which serves families and children.
HanesBrands Sustainability, Fair Labor Accredited
Hanes donates millions of units of apparel every year to over 100 global organizations focused on the themes of comfort, inclusion and health. The company has also set robust goals related to reducing emissions and making its products more sustainable, all of which it tracks on its sustainability website.
Homes For Our Troops
For every Patriot Coolers sale, Hirsch donates 20% of net proceeds to Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit that builds and donates specially adapted homes for severely injured American military veterans who have served since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Hirsch has donated over $370,000 since the program started in 2018.
AWS Line, Water4Good
In memory of Hit founder Bill Schmidt Sr., the supplier donates 5% of the proceeds from its AWS collection to some of his favorite charities: Shriners Hospital for Children, American Cancer Society, Boys Town, Make-A-Wish and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The supplier donated $75,000 to the Planet Water Foundation in 2023 to help bring clean water to communities in need.
EcoVadis Gold, One Tree Planted, Operation Smile and other charities
HPG donates 90% of misprinted products to nonprofits instead of sending them to a landfill. It also gives an annual donation to nonprofits to fund local communities. Charity partners have included Operation Smile. For every sale of wood and recycled cork products from its BCG line, a tree is planted via a partnership with One Tree Planted. The supplier received a Gold rating from sustainability assessment firm EcoVadis after it independently reviewed HPG’s actions and policies.
One Tree Planted
For every planter kit order Illini receives, it will have a tree planted.
Trees for the Future, Eden Reforestation Project
Joycoast, a sustainable lifestyle brand, creates premium wooden eyewear, watches and accessories made from natural materials, such as FSC-certified wood, as part of an effort to reduce plastic use. For every product sold, it plants 10 trees, with a goal of planting 1 million trees by 2025.
Keep It. Give It., CarbonNeutral, FSC, United Way, 4 Paws 4 Ability
Keep It. Give It. is Koozie Group’s sustainability and social responsibility initiative. Koozie Group donated more than $200,000 in cash and in-kind donations last year. It has ongoing giveback programs that benefit regional chapters of the United Way and 4 Paws 4 Ability. In addition, all of the company’s domestic facilities have earned Forest Stewardship Council certification, and its Sleepy Eye facility has Sustainable Forestry Initiative certification.
Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund Inc., Fisher House
The Ball Ground, GA-headquartered supplier donates 2% of all Code Five sales to Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund Inc. and Fisher House. So far, the company has donated more than $1.2 million to these groups. In addition, the apparel supplier says it has a focus on sustainability. Its largest sewing factory in India is run 100% on wind power. Plus, its dye house in Guatemala recently added dyeing equipment that will reduce chemical use by at least 40% and water usage by at least 50%.
EcoVadis Silver, Logomark Cares
The Logomark Cares initiative focuses on products that have a giveback element. EcoVessel products donate a minimum of 1% of sales to environmental causes via 1% for the Planet. A portion of the proceeds from sales of Perka, iCOOL and Work brands benefit Shelter to Soldier, which trains service animals for vets in need. Solo New York and the National Forest Foundation will plant a tree for every Re:Cycled bag sold. The Sherpani items made from recycled water bottles support the Blue Verve Project, which inspires individual and organizations to eliminate ocean plastic pollution. The supplier has also sponsored the training of several service dogs through Shelter to Soldier, a nonprofit that rescues dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 U.S. military combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2022, Logomark received a silver rating from EcoVadis, a company that conducts sustainability assessments.
Habitat for Humanity of Wausau
Every year the supplier donates 15% of the profits from orders placed for select gifts to Habitat for Humanity of Wausau.
B Corp, Re-Spun, Giving Tees
The apparel supplier became a Certified B Corp in 2022 and has an emphasis on using low-impact, high-quality materials in its garments. Through its Re-Spun T-shirt recycling program, Marine Layer says it has diverted 575,000 shirts from landfills and saved 2.6 billion gallons of water. By 2025, it has a goal of diverting 900,000 tees from landfills. Marine Layer has donated $167,000 to partner nonprofits through its Giving Tees program, working with organizations that include the Sierra Club, Keep Tahoe Blue, SF LGBT Center, Transgender District, Headlands Center for the Arts, and the St. Anthony Foundation.
1% for the Planet
The Carlsbad, CA-based drinkware supplier donates at least 1% of global sales to 1% for the Planet for various environmental causes, including Protect Our Winters Canada. The company also donates to several snowboard-related nonprofits to help get more kids outdoors, staying active and getting healthy; organizations include Burton’s Chill Foundation, Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club and the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum.
National Park Foundation, SEDEX
A portion of the proceeds from NC Custom's ACE USA brand is donated to the National Park Foundation. The supplier’s factories are SEDEX certified for ethical and responsible practices. Sustainability efforts include building the largest solar-energy project in Nassau County, NY, powering 100% of the supplier’s manufacturing needs, and introduction of home-compostable and post-consumer recycled packaging.
Fair Labor Association, WRAP
Next Level Apparel is a Fair Labor Association participating company and its factories are WRAP certified.
B Corp, 1% for the Planet, Climate Neutral Certified, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
This Certified B Corp was founded on the idea that personal tech products can be made better for the planet. The supplier uses sustainable materials in all its products, 100% plastic-free packaging, and will recycle end-users’ old tech products for free to help close the loop on electronic waste. Through its 1% for the Planet membership, the company has committed to supporting environmental nonprofits, including the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an organization that protects endangered rhinos and elephants.
B Corp
For each Ocean Bottle sold, the supplier funds the collection of 1,000 plastic bottles in weight, while setting up recycling infrastructure in coastal communities with high levels of plastic pollution around the world. As of March 2023, the company says it’s collected more than 19.2 million pounds of ocean-bound plastic.
Best in Biz Award
The Woodridge, IL-based supplier of tradeshow and event signage received a silver award for most environmentally responsible company of the year from the 2023 Best in Biz awards. Among its achievements is a robust recycling program. In 2022, Orbus diverted 80.3% of its waste from landfills. Over the course of a decade, the supplier has diverted more than 10 million pounds of waste from landfills.
OtterCares Foundation
The OtterCares Foundation collaborates with classrooms around the country to help fund out-of-the-box projects and programs to inspire innovative problem solving. The company also notes on its website that it has donated $575,000 to charities through its giveback program.
Hats for the Homeless, Habitat for Humanity, various charities
Outdoor Cap provides monetary donations and service hours to a variety of charities, including Hats for the Homeless, Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. It also has a Bangladesh Literacy Program and provides support for orphanages in Costa Rica, Vietnam, China and Sri Lanka.
FSC Certified, GOPHA, SMETA
The Switzerland-based maker of Prodir pens and notebooks is focused on creating sustainable products, with certifications that include Forest Stewardship Council, for its responsibly sourced paper; Global Organization for PHA, for its pen styles made of natural biopolymers; and the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit, confirming its standards in labor law, health and safety. Among its innovations is a pen made of 50% recycled plastic enriched with 30% recycled seashells. The True Biotic pen is plastic-free, made from biobased, biodegradable biopolymers (PHA).
EcoVadis Silver, ProudPath, 1% for the Planet, FSC certified, WellAware, The Giving Grove, Living Lands and Waters
In 2022, PCNA launched ProudPath, an educational platform offering a robust portfolio of eco-friendly, sustainable products and helping distributors deliver environmental and social responsibility objectives. Through partnerships with 1% for the Planet and retail brands that give back, the supplier has facilitated over $1.6 million in certified giving to environmental nonprofits. The supplier has also earned an EcoVadis Silver ranking for sustainability management.
Rainforest Action Network
Peerless Umbrella, which offers several of its best-selling styles in fabric made from recycled plastic and other sustainable and recycled materials, has a giveback program with the Rainforest Action Network. The supplier will donate a portion of sales to RAN.org for every purchase of an rPET handheld umbrella. This past year, Peerless donated $3,000 toward saving the rainforests. In addition, the company ships misprinted and unsellable umbrellas to distributors to donate to local homeless shelters and other nonprofits.
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Arthritis Foundation
Pilot donates 10% of its gross proceeds from each pink ribbon product sold, up to $275,000, to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Pilot has also donated over $450,000 since 2015 to anti-bullying organizations and gives out annual Overachiever grants to students and adults who go above and beyond to make their communities better. The supplier has also been supporting the Arthritis Foundation since 2008.
One Tree Planted
The supplier has a tree planted for every order.
B Corp, USDA Organic, Honeybees for Humans
Raining Rose, a Certified B Corp, donates 1% of annual profits to Heifer International to help directly support honeybees, supplies and training for beekeepers. The supplier also received LEED certification for its sustainable facility in 2014.
Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council member
The supplier upcycles landfill-destined vintage clothing, is focused on creating a diverse and locally sourced supply chain and has a Sustainable All-Over-Print solution, among other initiatives.
10 Million Bottle Rescue Mission
The supplier has diverted more than 1.6 million glass bottles from the waste stream, upcycling them into custom drinkware. It also donates glasses with minor blemishes to Habitat for Humanity.
Mission to Heal the Ocean
Riviera Towel donates 5% of net profits to several marine-focused nonprofits, including Oceana, Coral Restoration Foundation and the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
GOTS
The Made in the USA apparel supplier uses Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified yarn, certified recycled PET and other sustainable materials in its eco-friendly garments.
Apparel Grant Program
Each month, S&S awards five grants to community organizations across the country, giving each recipient $2,000 worth of apparel of their choice.
Canvas for Good, bluesign System Partner, Fair Labor Accredited
SanMar outlines its sustainability and social responsibility efforts on its Canvas for Good site, noting that it has made monetary and in-kind donations to organizations that include Shriners Hospitals, the American Red Cross, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Minnesota Wing CAP, Coats for Colorado and more. A member of Cascale and accredited by the Fair Labor Association, the supplier has set Science-Based Targets for reducing carbon emissions and is also a bluesign System Partner to underscore its commitment to sustainable manufacturing and responsible chemical management.
EcoVadis Silver, Common Hope, Washburn Children’s Center, Local Food Shelves
Through Common Hope, Showdown employees sponsor 59 children in Guatemala, helping them achieve a high school education in a country where the average education is 5.4 years. Several employee-volunteer teams have also traveled to Guatemala to build homes and assist in organizing classroom activities. The supplier donated more than $7,000 to Washburn Children’s Center, a mental health center for children up to age 18. Showdown employees also support two local food shelves through multiple food and supply drives each year. The supplier also received a silver rating in 2023 from sustainability assessment firm EcoVadis.
Wounded Warrior Project, Give Luci
Snugz donates 1% of Basecamp brand sales, with a minimum of $100,000 per calendar year, to the Wounded Warrior Project to support its mission to honor and empower wounded warriors. MPOWERED, a certified B Corp and partner of SnugZ, helps provide clean energy around the world. Its Give Luci program pools together donations for use in search and rescue missions, disaster relief, improving community health and safety, and education initiatives. So far, the program has helped more than 3 million.
1:1 matching program
Upon request, Sock Club Enterprises, which manufactures its socks 100% in the U.S., will match any sock purchase with a donation of socks to a variety of organizations it’s partnered with. The donations come from its inventory of overruns produced in the supplier’s mills. Current partners include: Samaritan’s Purse; Sock it to Em Campaign; Sunrise Navigation Center; The Charlie Center; Austin Street Forum; Todos Juntos; Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas; and Cover the City Project. The supplier also uses Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper for its white header cards, and its kraft header cards are made from recycled paper.
One Tree Planted, The Ocean Cleanup
Spector & Co. donates a portion of net sales for every purchase from its Ora Natural collection to help with reforestation efforts, thanks to a partnership with One Tree Planted. Also, 1% of sales from the supplier’s Ashbury Nomad Must Haves Renew bags is donated to The Ocean Cleanup to help remove plastic from the ocean. The bags in the collection are made from at least 50% recycled plastic.
EcoVadis Bronze, BrightFuture, Community Care Kit, Plastic Bank
BrightFuture is what St Regis Group calls its ESG program. For 2023, the supplier earned a bronze medal in its first assessment by EcoVadis, a business sustainability rating platform, and completed two, verified HIGG Facility Environmental Modules. The supplier had its biggest Community Care Kit event yet with 400 backpacks donated in 2023 to community youth shelters and school programs, as well thousands of in-kind donations to educational community programs. In addition, the supplier has a Giveback Collection, where it donates 1% of proceeds from the collection to Plastic Bank, a for-profit social enterprise that builds recycling ecosystems in under-developed communities to fight plastic pollution in oceans and high poverty levels in developing countries.
Various charities
Starline donates goods to local schools' sports activity centers. Additionally, the firm and its employees adopt several families during the holiday season through the Buffalo Hearing and Speech organization. The suppler also partners with Diversified Labor Solutions, a nonprofit that helps refugees get acclimated and find employment, typically through temporary engagements.
1% for the Planet, bluesign System Partner
Storm Creek has a goal of donating $5 million to charity by 2030, and as of the end of 2023, it’s $2.1 million toward its goal. Last year, the sustainable apparel supplier donated $162,000 in cash and matching donations and $788,900 in in-kind apparel donations and discounts to more than 70 nonprofits. Among the nonprofits it supports are the National Park Foundation and Save the Boundary Waters. Storm Creek has upcycled over 32 million plastic bottles – including nearly 10 million in 2023 – thanks the high percentage of recycled polyester (rPET) used in its garments. The supplier has pledged to use only bluesign-approved fabrics by the end of 2025.
Nurtured by Nature Initiative, Pure Earth Project, Climate Smart Certified
Stormtech commits 1% of its total global sales in matched donated gear to nonprofits that are outdoor-focused in Canada, the U.S. or the U.K. Through its Pure Earth Project, the supplier support supports sustainably focused initiatives through the donation of gear, apparel and funds. The Pacific Salmon Foundation was its first partner in this initiative, with donations supporting the conservation of wild salmon. The supplier recently completed the Climate Smart Training and Certification program from BMO Radicle Inc. to help reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Kindly
Terry Town launched its Kindly Program in 2021. Since its launch, the supplier has donated more than $20,000 and partnered with worthy organizations like Fred Finch Youth & Family Services, World Central Kitchen, American Red Cross and Corazon de Vida.
American Forests
The Book Company donates a portion of its profits each year to help plant trees through conservation organization American Forests.
Better Cotton, One Tree Planted
The apparel supplier, which sells in the industry through a partnership with Top 40 supplier alphabroder (asi/34063), focuses on using materials that are more sustainable. It’s transitioned to recycled polyester across all collections and is a member of Better Cotton, a worldwide cotton certifier and sustainability initiative. Through its Plant with Threadfast program, the firm works with One Tree Planted to have a tree planted in areas affected by deforestation for every case of garments sold.
Coral Vita, Melanoma Research Foundation, Salvation Army
Towel Specialties introduced two new giveback programs for 2024: donating a portion of sales for its coral reef towels to Coral Vita, a Bahamian organization dedicated to restoring coral reefs; and donating a portion of all sales to the Melanoma Research Foundation. The supplier has also donated towels and blankets to the Salvation Army for many years.
Feed My Starving Children, Los Angeles Food Bank
The supplier raises funds to end childhood malnutrition, through its Power Bar for Hungry Kids charity campaign, which donates a portion of annual sales for its Power Bar power bank to the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children. In 2023, Twintech Industry raised nearly $9,000 for the organization. The supplier’s Power Bank to Food Bank campaign, donating part of revenue from all power bank sales to a local food bank, has raised more than $30,000 for the Los Angeles Food Bank.
1% for the Planet, Clean Ocean Action
Vantage Apparel's Earthwise collection from Repreve, a high-quality recycled polyester, which helps to keep plastic bottles from ending up in oceans and landfills. The supplier has partnered with 1% for the Planet, pledging 1% of sales from its Earthwise Collection and Denali jacket to go to Clean Ocean Action, a New Jersey nonprofit committed to protecting beaches and the environment.
1 Bottle = 1 Tree Planted
The supplier offers products from the retail brand ZOKU, which has a tree planted via the Eden Reforestation Projects for every one of its vacuum-insulated stainless-steel bottles or tumblers purchased.
Buy One. Plant One
For every product sold, the supplier has a tree planted. So far, it's planted more than 3 million trees around the world.
Hands On Deck Program
World Emblem employees are encouraged to participate in volunteer opportunities offered by the company or to pursue volunteer work that's of personal interest to them.
B Corp, 1% for the Planet, Climate Neutral
The Plymouth, MN-based supplier recently became a certified B Corp, receiving a score of 123.3 on its assessment, which is 72.4 points above the median score for ordinary businesses. It’s certified carbon-neutral by Climate Neutral, a nonprofit that works to eliminate carbon emissions. Zusa donates 1% of its profits to environmental causes through its partnership with 1% for the Planet. A large portion of its products are made from recycled materials, and its boxes, packaging and poly mailers are recyclable and made largely from recycled content.
one by one
4imprint awards $500 promotional products grants to nonprofits and other organizations making a difference in their community.
American Heart Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, No Kid Hungry, Meals on Wheels
BAMKO has pledged to allocate 1% of its BAMKO Collection sales to four charities in 2024, choosing a different nonprofit to focus on for each quarter of the year.
EcoVadis Bronze
The Cheshire, CT-based distributor received a bronze ranking from sustainability assessment firm EcoVadis, putting it among the top 35% of more than 100,000 rated companies. Barker Specialty received its highest marks for Labor and Human Rights, followed by Environment, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement. The company said it has been working toward carbon neutrality by taking measures that include implementing a solar array.
EcoVadis Platinum, BDA Cares Foundation
BDA’s UK offices received a Platinum rating from sustainability assessment firm EcoVadis. The company was graded on four main areas – environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. With an overall score of 76, BDA is in the top 1% of companies assessed by EcoVadis. The BDA Cares Foundation, founded in 2011, has raised more than $1.4 million for nonprofits that include the American Red Cross, Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County and FareStart.
B Corp, 1% for the Planet, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Climate Neutral Certified
The distributor, a Certified B Corp, donates a portion of profits to Wissahickon Trails, a nonprofit that maintains trails and protects the local watershed.
EcoVadis Platinum, Xerces Society
Part of The Pebble Group, Brand Addition received a Platinum ranking from sustainability rating platform EcoVadis, putting it in the top 1% of companies assessed. The distributor has a goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. As part of an Earth Day initiative in 2023, the distributor donated around $12,000 to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation’s Pollinator Conservation program.
B Corp
As a cofounder of Reciprocity Road, Brand Fuel is committed to donating 3% of client spend on core products to The Promotional Products Education Foundation, PromoCares and PromoKitchen annually. The distributor also donates 5% or more of employees' time through pro-bono services to nonprofits annually.
Various charities
In FY2023, Cimpress says it made more than $500,000 in cash donations and over $160,000 in in-kind donations to various causes. Among the donations were National Pen’s contributions of pens, notepads, flashlights and other promo products to schools across Africa, through an ongoing partnership with Spring Global Delivery Solutions.
EcoVadis Bronze, various charities
Cintas, which has a Bronze rating from sustainability assessment company EcoVadis, noted in its most recent impact report that it reduced its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 11% and reduced energy usage intensity by 13% in fiscal 2023. The distributor said it has donated more than $11 million through philanthropic partnerships since fiscal year 2019, giving to organizations including the American Cancer Society, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the American Heart Association.
1% for the Planet, One Tree Planted, Climate Neutral Certified
This Denver-based distributor has raised more than $25,000 for sustainability-focused nonprofits through its 1% for the Planet partnership; had more than 71,000 trees planted through its partnership with One Tree Planted; and offset 352 tons of carbon through Climate Neutral. Among the organizations it has supported are Rocky Mountain Wild, the Catamount Institute, Water for People and the Conscious Alliance.
Donate Life America
DLA Promotions is a wholly owned subsidiary of nonprofit Donate Life America. 100% of the proceeds from DLA Promotions go to support the work of Donate Life America, an organization devoted to increasing the number of donated organs, eyes and tissues available for life-saving transplantation.
GreenShows
Do Better Marketing, the customer-facing brand of Avatar Brand management, has been focused on cause marketing ever since the 1990s, when founder David Betke helped save a 65,000-acre forest in Canada using custom T-shirts, stickers and magnets. Through its promotions, the distributor has decreased carbon emissions in a community, raised awareness about the amphibian extinction crisis and generated funding for women’s shelters. During the pandemic, the firm created GreenShows, a carbon-neutral virtual and hybrid event platform that plants five trees for each virtual booth and has planted thousands of trees to date.
B Corp
Doing Good Works has a mission to change outcomes for youths in foster care. The firm designed its business based on a 10/20/30 model: 10% of profits fund programs for foster youth, 20% of employee hours are encouraged for volunteering in the community, and 30% of employees have been impacted by foster care.
B Corp, Green America, Trees for the Future
For every order, Eco Promotional Products donates a tree seedling on behalf of clients to Trees for the Future.
B Corp, Green America, American Sustainable Business Network
EcoPlum sources products based on standards that include USDA organic, fair trade, biodegradable, renewable, recycled, reusable, women/minority-owned, Made-in-the-USA, handcrafted or artisan, vegan, nontoxic, and third-party eco-labels.
B Corp, veritree, EcoVadis Silver
Fairware has been a B Corp since 2010 and is focused on sourcing sustainable and ethical promo products. The distributor partnered with veritree to plant 10 kelp along the Pacific coast of British Columbia for every order it invoices, starting from January 2023 onward. The distributor earned a score of 64 out of 100 in its most recent EcoVadis audit, earning a Silver ranking, putting it in the 88th percentile of companies ranked.
B Corp, Ecologi, Match Funding Scheme
The U.K.-based distributor has been a certified B Corp since 2019. In August 2021, the company partnered with Ecologi, which helps brands calculate their carbon footprint, reduce emissions and fund climate projects. As part of the partnership, it launched its “A Tree With Every Order” campaign, and has funded the responsible planting of more than 100,000 trees since then. Fluid Branding will also match funds for charitable causes supported by its team members.
B Corp
The distributor became a B Corp in December 2021, after going through a rigorous year-and-a-half-long evaluation process.
B Corp
The Canadian distributor became a Certified B Corp in May 2023 and notes that it will measure and manage the impact of its business on its workers, community and the environment with as much rigor as it manages and monitors its profits.
EcoVadis Gold, EcoVadis Platinum (Geiger UK)
The Lewiston, ME-based company earned a Gold rating from sustainability assessment firm EcoVadis, putting its global headquarters among the top 5% of companies ranked on four key categories: environmental impact, labor and human rights standards, ethics, and procurement practices. For the second year in a row, its U.K. division achieved EcoVadis Platinum, putting it among the top 1% of more than 100,000 businesses rated. Geiger’s headquarters in Maine is LEED certified Gold and includes a 696-panel solar energy system, from which it derives all of its power.
SwagCycle
The SwagCycle initiative was launched with a mission of finding new life for unused or unwanted swag; it has thus far has kept a cumulative 1.45 million items out of landfills and facilitated roughly $2.67 million in charitable donations, according to the firm's most recent annual report.
EcoVadis Silver, RewearAble
HALO earned a Silver medal in 2023 from EcoVadis, a firm that audits companies in four key areas: environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. HALO notes that it’s in the top 22% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis. The distributor also notes that as part of its ongoing efforts to keep waste out of landfills it donated 37.5 tons of obsolete merchandise to RewearAble, a recycling and job creation program committed to employing people with developmental disabilities, and to waste management firm eWork.
B Corp, EcoVadis Silver, various charities
The distributor says it approaches every project with sustainability as a top priority, as part of its status as a Certified B Corp. It donates to organizations that advance the arts, education and community events, as well as helping to support people in need. Among the organizations Harper + Scott has supported are the Anti-Defamation League, which fights all forms of antisemitism and bias; the American Cancer Society; the Equal Justice Initiative, which is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the U.S.; Food 1st, which helps feed emergency service workers; United Way Worldwide; Women in Need, which provides safe housing and critical services to homeless women and their children; and World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides meals in the wake of natural disasters.
1% for the Planet
The distributor donates 1% of profits to environmental causes. Among the nonprofits it has supported are the Urban Growers Collective, Feeding America, Wilderness Volunteers, Ocean Conservancy and Girlventures.
B Corp, iShare
Through its iShare program, Image Outfitters donates up to 10% of each individual sale to a customer's nonprofit of choice. So far, it's donated more than $203,000.
Yellow Brick House
The Richmond Hill, ON, distributor works with its suppliers to give needed items, like blankets and duffel bags, to Yellow Brick House, an Ontario-based organization that provides shelter and prevention resources for women and children escaping abusive relationships. For every order of at least $1,500 CAD spent in its Made in Canada catalog, Innovatex will donate a Confidence duffel to the organization.
Jeckil – Pay It Forward
Since April 2022, the Chamblee, GA-based distributor has selected a different charitable organization each month and donated a portion of sales to it. The company says it chooses charities based on what’s important to the employees, partners and owners. So far, Jeckil has donated over $58,000 to 12 charities, including Autism Speaks, The Mayfly Project and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
B Corp
The woman-owned, WBENC certified promo distributor, headquartered in Columbus, OH, became a certified B Corp in October 2023.
1% for the Planet, LogoGiveBack
1% of profits from sales of Patagonia products go toward 1% for the Planet. The distributor also regularly donates to local food banks and charitable causes, as well as giving away custom apparel to organizations in need through its LogoGiveBack program.
B Corp, Marigold Collection, Little by Little campaigns
McCabe Promotional Advertising donates 3% of proceeds from the Marigold Collection to national charities. Throughout the year, the distributor also runs Little by Little campaigns, where it sells a limited-edition product with a design by a local artist. 100% of the net proceeds from these campaigns are donated to local or national charities working to create positive impacts. Previous recipients for Little by Little include Foodsharing Ottawa, Food Secure Canada and Urban Roots London.
1% for the Planet
This distributor, which also operates the Climate Neutral custom apparel brand Zusa, donates 1% of all sustainable brand revenue to environmental causes, including Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, Mississippi Park Connection, Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, and Recycle Across America. Merchology also partnered with EcoEnclose and International Paper for 100% recycled shipping boxes and poly mailer bags.
1% for the Planet
The distributor donates at least 1% of its profits to environmental nonprofits that include Protect Our Winters, Sustainable Surf/SeaTrees and Truckee Donner Land Trust.
EcoVadis Silver
Nadel ranks in the top 25% of companies audited by EcoVadis, which measures companies based on four pillars: environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. Nadel, which established a Sustainability Council within its company in 2021, says it’s committed to improving its environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts. The distributor took the Climate Pledge, committing to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, among other environmental initiatives.
B Corp
Oaklandish, a screen printer and apparel company based in Oakland, CA, has been a certified B Corp since August 2012. The firm says it has a mission to spread “local love” by way of civic-pride tees and accessories, while creating quality inner-city jobs for locals. It also donates a portion of profits to grassroots nonprofits committed to uplifting Oakland. To date, the decorator has given over $44,000 in in-kind donations and $15,000 in cash to various charities.
EcoVadis Silver, Ecologi
Overture is a certified minority-owned, woman-led organization dedicated to increasing annual expenditures with diverse suppliers through its diverse supplier portal and on-site fairs. The distributor partners with local charities that serve diverse populations and recently filmed a DE&I-focused “Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid” episode. In 2023, Overture received the “Diversity Champion Award” from the Lake County Juneteenth Commission and the “Community Ambassador” award from local partner, A Safe Place. Overture is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact and the UPS Carbon Neutral Program. The distributor received a Silver rating on its 2023 EcoVadis audit, ranking in the 88th percentile of audited companies. Additionally, it plants a tree for every order over $20 in partnership with Ecologi.
1% for the Planet
ParsonsKellogg donates 1% of profits from sales of Patagonia products to various environmental charities through 1% for the Planet. The distributor also facilitates charitable giving through its Galilee Project initiative.
EcoVadis Bronze, Certified Carbon Neutral, #psCARES
PromoShop donates to a range of local, national and international charities. In addition to financial contributions, employees volunteer at events and the distributor creates products to raise funds for causes. Among the nonprofits it's worked for are the American Heart Association, the Surfrider Foundation, Kitchens 4 Missions and Paws 4 Life K9 Rescue. In 2023, PromoShop received a bronze rating from EcoVadis, a company that conducts sustainability assessments. The distributor also has a Carbon Neutral certification from Climate Impact Partners.
Pay It Forward Program
In 2022, Bellevue, WA-based Red Promotions started the Pay It Forward Program, where a charitable donation is made on behalf of qualified client orders to one of four organizations of their choosing: Seattle Humane, Treehouse, Dress for Success or the Coral Reef Alliance. The distributor makes donations monthly and thus far, has donated roughly $4,000 through the program. The distributor also did a “Gift One, Give One” promotion for the holidays, where they matched each holiday gift blanket purchased with a blanket donation to Seattle Humane.
veritree
San Francisco-based Social Imprints is a “fair chance employer,” with a high percentage of its workforce considered at risk – either recovering from substance abuse with at least two years of sobriety, a recently discharged veteran, a formerly incarcerated citizen, or someone who’s been on and off public assistance, according to the company. In 2023, the distributor launched a sustainability initiative that includes a partnership with veritree, which connects businesses with verified tree-planting projects. Social Imprints has pledged to plant 40,000 mangrove trees in Mobasa, Kenya, this year.
EcoVadis Silver
Staples uses EcoVadis to assess, score and report supply chain sustainability performance.
B Corp
The B Corp Certified distributor supports local charity initiatives and programs, sponsoring coat drives and working with a nonprofit to offer low-cost housing in the apartments above its facility, for example.
B Corp, EcoVadis Gold
This agency for the design and production of merch was founded in 2005 and became a certified B Corp in April 2022. Boasting an EcoVadis Gold rating, the firm has an in-house sustainability team that helps clients with life-cycle analysis, certification research, material data sheets and more.
EcoVadis Silver, Sedex
Founded in 1995, this branded merch distributor is committed to transparency in its supply chain, with 100% of its supplier partners reporting to the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) platform. The company also received a silver ranking from sustainability assessment company EcoVadis.
If your company has a giveback program, a noteworthy charity initiative, is a Certified B Corp or has some other sustainability-related certification, and you’d like to be added to this list, please email your information to Promo for the Planet Editor Theresa Hegel at thegel@asicentral.com.
ASI employees and executives stepped up in a big way in 2023 to help those in need. The employee-led ASI Charity Initiative, founded in 2021 to demonstrate ASI’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and meeting the needs of the surrounding community, facilitated a number of philanthropic drives in 2023, giving both monetary and material contributions to a long list of organizations.
Plus, a fund drive ASI organized within the promo industry helped to raise more than $170,000 to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Israel impacted by a terrorist attack. The total included employee donations and matching funds contributed by the Norman Cohn family, owners of ASI since 1962, and Tim Andrews, ASI president and CEO.
Other highlights of ASI’s 2023 giving include:
United Way: More than $17,000 donated by employees and matched by the Cohn family to United Way of Bucks County to help fight hunger, feed the elderly, and provide emergency shelter and schooling for children.
19th Annual Holiday Gift Drive: Purchased a record-breaking $10,050 worth of toys, bikes, art supplies and electronics for area families living in or receiving services through a homeless shelter run by the Family Service Association of Bucks County.
Promo Sales Event: Raised $3,500 from the sale of promo items and raffle tickets to benefit Disabled American Veterans, K9s For Warriors, Philabundance food bank and Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, which provides a temporary home and support services for families of seriously ill children treated at local hospitals.
Employee Turkey and Pie Giveaway: Each November, the Cohn family thanks employees with a choice of a turkey or pie. Each pie they buy helps the MANNA Pie in the Sky charity deliver hot Thanksgiving meals to those facing life-threatening illnesses. Employees opting out of a gift contribute the equivalent cost, resulting in a total donation of $2,820 to Philabundance.
Clothing Drives: Donated 1,700 articles of gently worn and new clothing, accessories and winter wear to various organizations, including Cradles To Crayons, The Wardrobe and One Warm Coat.
Letters for Veterans: Collected more than 100 thank-you letters and cards given to area veterans visiting Washington, D.C. war memorials, an annual trip sponsored by Honor Flight Philadelphia.
Helping Cure Juvenile Diabetes: Over the past 17 years, ASI Vice-Chairman Matthew Cohn's daughters, Sydney and Mackenzie (cohnsisters.com), have raised over $4 million for Type 1 diabetes research at JDRF, the world’s largest charitable funder for diabetes research. Matthew Cohn becomes Chair of JDRF’s Global Mission Board in July 2024.
Community Initiatives: In 2023, Andrews’s efforts in his Hope, IN, hometown included the Hawcreek-Flat Rock Area Endowment fund, which he helped establish 15 years ago and which distributed $60,000 in community grants this year. Additionally, the Hope Area Food Bank Endowment that Andrews established annually supports 10% of the food bank’s needs. In 2023, Andrews also endowed the Arts Council of Princeton in New Jersey with funding to establish the Timothy M. Andrews Artistic Directorship to help the council further its mission to build community through the arts.