Eco-friendly technology is here!

The rapidly growing trend for promotional products to be more sustainable is spreading throughout our industry, with products like reusable bottles, stationery and even confectionery climbing to the top of the eco-friendly merchandise list.
Here we will focus on how this trend is affecting the world of gadgets and technology. Products such as charging cables, power banks and wireless speakers are now some of the most used and kept items in the branded merchandise sector, delivering brand awareness for months and even years for marketers, but can they be eco-friendly?

Many technology items require a mix of lithium batteries, wires, chips and other internal components which are hard to recycle and dispose of. However, there is a growing trend to change the outer case materials these types of products are made from, and to find different and more sustainable materials that can be easily recycled at the end of the products life. Let’s explore some of these now.

Switching a products case material from plastic to bamboo or FSC managed wood sources helps with the biodegradable properties and also makes for a very soft and desirable finish. Other natural materials finding favour are cork, leather, eco fabric, and of course paper and wood composites.

A growing trend and one to watch is promotional products made from recycled plastic, which are often PET bottles cleared from the sea, representing a better solution for our environment. Other materials, such as recycled metals and regrind silicone, also offer safe and sustainable options.

Choosing materials that break down sooner over time is also a good option, and now we are seeing major companies in the USA  producing bio-additives (e.g. BioSphere) which dramatically speed up the degrading process of plastic from 100 years to 3-5 years.

One of our most popular ranges for the past few years has been charging cables. They have proved immensely popular with our customers, and we know why!

As we all lead more digital lives, keeping our devices permanently charged has become a daily challenge.  When at home, at work or travelling around, it’s a must to have a cable close at hand to plug in and top up at every opportunity! Hence, charging cables are one of our most popular lines.  When used as a promotional gift or incentive, it’s an easy and visible way to get your brand into the hands of your customers or contacts every single day.

And now we can offer an eco version too. Introducing the Mr Bio, our first environmentally conscious charging cable, made with recyclable and biodegradable materials to lower the impact that it has on the environment without compromising on style or performance.

In conclusion, gadgets can be more sustainable and are still one of the most desirable items for many marketers. We just need to start choosing better and demanding more.