At the start of 2020 one of the fastest growing market sectors for promotional branded merchandise was those
products which were either recycled or non-plastic. The eco-friendly product was the one that all marketers were interested in and the product the brand wanted to use to demonstrate their social responsibility credentials.
products which were either recycled or non-plastic. The eco-friendly product was the one that all marketers were interested in and the product the brand wanted to use to demonstrate their social responsibility credentials.
Now 7 months later the world has changed as millions have fallen ill with Covid19. Many sectors of the
economy have come to a standstill including the events and exhibitions industry and many marketers have
found themselves either furloughed or working from home.
economy have come to a standstill including the events and exhibitions industry and many marketers have
found themselves either furloughed or working from home.
So what will happen as things get back to normal? What will be the new normal? Has Covid killed the ideal of
eco-friendly? Will we focus on other things or has Covid demonstrated that we can live our lives differently in a
way that does not impact the environment. Let’s examine the two sides of the argument.
eco-friendly? Will we focus on other things or has Covid demonstrated that we can live our lives differently in a
way that does not impact the environment. Let’s examine the two sides of the argument.
1. The Optimist - the environment will be top of everyone’s agenda in 2021
We have all read the stories of the change to the environment during lock down. Cleaner air and rivers – fish in the canals of Venice and wildlife venturing into urban streets free from cars. The BBC reported that ‘pollution
in New York has reduced by nearly 50% because of measures created to contain the virus’ and ‘coal use fell by
40% at China’s six largest power plants’ - as well as –‘China’s CO2 emissions fell 25% at the start of 2020’.
As Kimberly Nicholas, sustainability science researcher at Lund University in Sweden told the BBC “It may be
the case that people who are avoiding travel right now are really appreciating spending time with families and
focusing on those really core priorities. These moments of crisis can highlight how important those priorities
are and help people focus on the health and well being of family, friends and community.” The argument being
that we can change our lives in quite drastic ways we can live more sustainably and we can make a difference
by the millions of small actions we take.
the case that people who are avoiding travel right now are really appreciating spending time with families and
focusing on those really core priorities. These moments of crisis can highlight how important those priorities
are and help people focus on the health and well being of family, friends and community.” The argument being
that we can change our lives in quite drastic ways we can live more sustainably and we can make a difference
by the millions of small actions we take.
If this argument hold true then any promotional merchandise in the future will have to be eco-friendly. Plastic
giveaways simply become socially unacceptable like drink driving or smoking in public. The promotional goods
industry will only be able to sell products if they have proven sustainability credentials and the eco-product
goes from being a growing trend to being the norm.
giveaways simply become socially unacceptable like drink driving or smoking in public. The promotional goods
industry will only be able to sell products if they have proven sustainability credentials and the eco-product
goes from being a growing trend to being the norm.
2. The Pessimist – economic recovery will be top of everyone’s agenda in 2021
The National Geographic magazine reported a very different view under the heading ‘Why Covid-19 will end up
harming the environment’, in the article they interviewed Corinne Le Quéré, professor of climate change at the
University of East Anglia and lead author of the original study and subsequent update. “So as soon as the
restrictions are released, we go right back to where we were.” Now, “the risk is very high” that carbon output
could surge past pre-pandemic levels, she says, “especially since we’ve done it in the past, not very long ago.”
During the 2007-08 financial crisis, emissions dropped but then bounced back. We still have the same cars, the
same roads, the same industries, same houses.” Whilst accepting that global carbon emissions are down 17%
she fears that the rush to economic recovery will mean the environment falls from everyone’s agenda.
harming the environment’, in the article they interviewed Corinne Le Quéré, professor of climate change at the
University of East Anglia and lead author of the original study and subsequent update. “So as soon as the
restrictions are released, we go right back to where we were.” Now, “the risk is very high” that carbon output
could surge past pre-pandemic levels, she says, “especially since we’ve done it in the past, not very long ago.”
During the 2007-08 financial crisis, emissions dropped but then bounced back. We still have the same cars, the
same roads, the same industries, same houses.” Whilst accepting that global carbon emissions are down 17%
she fears that the rush to economic recovery will mean the environment falls from everyone’s agenda.
The National Geographic draws on a couple of examples to reinforce its case. Pointing to the financial aid given
by the US Federal Reserve to industry they quote Lukas Ross of Friends of the Earth who points to ‘companies’
pleas for cash, regulatory rollbacks and other special favours and worries that “There’s a serious risk that
polluters could emerge from this crisis bolder and potentially more profitable than ever.” The other example is
the situation in Brazil where illegal loggers have accelerated the destruction of the Amazon Rain forest while the
nation deals with the pandemic.
by the US Federal Reserve to industry they quote Lukas Ross of Friends of the Earth who points to ‘companies’
pleas for cash, regulatory rollbacks and other special favours and worries that “There’s a serious risk that
polluters could emerge from this crisis bolder and potentially more profitable than ever.” The other example is
the situation in Brazil where illegal loggers have accelerated the destruction of the Amazon Rain forest while the
nation deals with the pandemic.
The danger is that the need to recover the employment levels will be far in excess of the environmental need.
For eco-friendly promotional products, which tend to be more expensive than their polluting counterparts, the
danger is clear. A rush to create economic activity will push the environment to the bottom of priorities.
Marketers will seek volume at the expense of brand authenticity.
For eco-friendly promotional products, which tend to be more expensive than their polluting counterparts, the
danger is clear. A rush to create economic activity will push the environment to the bottom of priorities.
Marketers will seek volume at the expense of brand authenticity.
Conclusion
For the promotional goods industry predicting the trends of the marketer and the brand promotion business is
a thankless task. We can only stand by our principles and listen to the needs of our customers. We can state our
environmental case in the strongest terms but we do not make buying decisions. Truth is it is likely that different
brands and companies will react in different ways.
a thankless task. We can only stand by our principles and listen to the needs of our customers. We can state our
environmental case in the strongest terms but we do not make buying decisions. Truth is it is likely that different
brands and companies will react in different ways.
References:
Will Covid-19 have a lasting impact on the environment? - BBC Future – BBC.co.uk
Why COVID-19 will end up harming the environment | National Geographic – Thursday 18th June 2020 by Beth
Gardiner
Gardiner
Author: David Platt Director of www.pavilionearth.co.uk a site dedicate to creating eco-friendly promotional
items and trade giveaways.
items and trade giveaways.
