How can we make sustainable company gifts?

Written By Liisa Aavik

Author: liisa aavik, suletudring.ee

Today, there are more man-made things in the world than there are living things. Natural resources are taken, created into products, used and thrown in the trash - less than 9% of these materials taken from nature end up in recycling. In the midst of a warming climate, we need to rethink our consumption: including, to show our gratitude, to advertise our business, do we need to fill people's limited living space with carelessly chosen objects? People's homes are already full of branded cloth bags and bottles, which also look out from the shelves of the Recycling Centre. Eventually, they will require care, storage, time to be sent to a new life in a waste bin or another round of the shop. A poorly chosen corporate gift is a disservice to the recipient and the environment. If the urge to make a gift is irresistible, here we share our thoughts and suggestions.

NON-GENERAL

A kind word, respectful behaviour, feedback

Several of our team members talk quite a lot about sustainability. We find that the best reward for a speaker is a decent salary, a good word, respect as a listener and helpful feedback. 

Annetuskink

NGO Mondo allows you to make donations on its website, both virtually and in card form. For example, for €5 you can buy a virtual card to support the purchase of school supplies and textbooks for students in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Kenya or Ghana. You can also support Ukraine. Of course, you can also donate a larger amount yourself and let your company know with an e-card made by your company.  

Personal tree or nest box in Estonian nature

Together Foundation will plant a deciduous tree in Estonian nature for €10 and install a nest box for €25. 

Experiences

A good gift for employees is a fun activity or event together. For example, our team member Kadrin does A cupcake hands-on eco-lifestyle accessory workshops, makes sweets with participants and crafts natural cosmetics. 

Gift card or credit

We recommend gift cards or credits that can be used: for example, Piletilevi, Kingitus.ee, Wolt, Rimi Estonia and Ilma shop. 

ESEMELISED

If a company is giving a person a gift in kind without knowing their specific needs, we recommend giving priority to non-essential items such as food or toiletries (see below for a more detailed list).

RingKarbi dishes with snacks, tea or coffee

RingKarp offers the possibility for companies to order boxes with their own branding. The box will have a label that says "Boxes help circulate (company name)". If desired, it is possible to fill the boxes with Without shop packaging-free snacks, tea or coffee. People can take their lunch to work in a RingKarb, or exchange it for food in a new RingKarb at a food outlet that has joined RingKarb. What's great is that if you don't need the tips in your personal life anyway, you can take them to a RingKarb food outlet, exchange them for a deposit and use the tip money in any way you like. As far as we know, there is no other gift of this kind on the Estonian market.

Cosmetics and toiletries

Consumer goods

Things that have already been given away too much are cloth bags, water bottles, notebooks, pens. Of the reusable items, we recommend giving something that is not available everywhere. 

Office supplies

Some companies, such as pharmaceutical companies, are only allowed to donate office supplies. Here are some ideas:

If you're looking for business leads, you have a great opportunity to get them by supporting. RingKarb's Donate campaign. We want to bring to Estonia an app that allows you to use your RingKarts for free for seven days. This will completely change the way food is sold takeaway in Estonia today. For our supporters, we have great giveaways in the form of ring pins and an eco-living workshop. Find out more here.

Liisa Aavik
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