Earth Month is more than just a celebration—it’s an opportunity for brands to reinforce their commitment to sustainability in a tangible way. Promotional products provide the backbone of a branded Earth Month campaign, giving companies the chance to align their logos with eco-friendly initiatives while making a lasting impact.

Navigating sustainable action presents a nuanced challenge for brands in today’s consumer landscape. A recent study revealed that while 64% of Americans expect brands to prioritize sustainability, consumer skepticism persists, with many quick to dismiss efforts as “greenwashing.” Complicating matters further, data also shows that one-fifth of Americans are experiencing “green fatigue” from hearing about the climate crisis.

The impact on promo? The pressure to clearly and easily demonstrate the sustainability of promotional products will intensify significantly in 2025 and beyond. To put it bluntly, your clients need to know that the products they are using in their campaigns are sustainable. The product’s sustainable value propositions need to be clear, and easy to understand.

“To put it bluntly, your clients need to know that the products they are using in their campaigns are sustainable. The product’s sustainable value propositions need to be clear, and easy to understand.”

So, exactly how do you do that?

A great Earth Month campaign starts with visibility. One of the most effective ways to communicate your sustainability efforts is through co-branding—placing your logo on one side of a product and a sustainability symbol (such as a recycled materials icon) on the other. This simple yet powerful design choice clearly highlights the product’s eco-friendly value proposition while reinforcing your brand’s commitment to the planet.

By dedicating as much real estate on the product to the sustainability message as you do to your brand, you send a clear, authentic statement about your environmental values.

Sustainability isn’t just about materials—it’s about measurable action. Partnering with an organization that helps you track and showcase your environmental contributions allows you to go beyond words and provide tangible proof of your commitment. Example: HPG has partnered with Evertreen, a platform that enables businesses to plant trees and track their impact in real time. With Evertreen’s tools, companies can display their progress on their website and provide transparency to customers. See how HPG plants trees with Evertreen here and consider integrating similar initiatives into your Earth Month campaign.

Consumers today are increasingly skeptical of greenwashing, so choosing verified sustainable products is key to an effective Earth Month initiative. Brands must select eco-friendly merchandise through a transparent, easily understandable system that prioritizes real sustainability over empty claims. At HPG, we make it simple for distributors and brands to source sustainable promo products with confidence. Our Sustainability at HPG guide outlines our commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainable materials, and clear environmental impact.

Look for symbols like these on product pages, to ensure the product aligns with your brand's Earth Month strategy: