Ditch the Plastic: Thoughtful Plastic-Free Gifts For Your Team

Your corporate gifts are working against you.

Every plastic-wrapped promotional item you distribute sends a message about your company's priorities. The problem isn't just the environmental impact, though that's significant. Plastic gifts that actively undermine the care and appreciation you're trying to show your team.

The good news? Making the switch to plastic-free gifts is simpler than you think. Better materials exist; they perform better, and your employees will really want to use them. Select items like reusable water bottles over single-use rubbish, or recycled notepads and pens that are living a second life.

Here's how to transform your corporate gifting from wasteful to thoughtful.

Why Plastic = Bad

Unfortunately, most corporate gifts are wrapped in plastic packaging or made from synthetic materials. This gives off a terrible message about your business: you simply don’t care about the world around you.

A little lesson on plastic – it gets its flexibility from polymers, which create an incredibly malleable material. This same quality that makes plastic so useful also makes it practically indestructible.

Since plastic is synthetic, it doesn't break down naturally like organic materials do. Every plastic corporate gift you distribute will sit in landfills, float in oceans, and accumulate in ecosystems for hundreds of years.

But it’s not just that. Many plastics contain harmful additives, such as BPA and phthalates, that leach into food and drinks. These chemicals can disrupt hormones and cause health problems over time. That means the reusable water bottles and food containers you give as thoughtful gifts could be harming the people you're trying to appreciate.

From a business perspective, plastic production requires significant fossil fuel inputs and energy consumption. Manufacturing plastic contributes to climate change and depletes natural resources. Your corporate gifts are inadvertently adding to your company's carbon footprint before they even reach your employees' hands.

Interested in learning more? Read our guide to Plastic-Free July to see how you can make simple swaps to reduce the plastic in your home and office.

What to Choose Instead of Plastic Gifts

The solution isn't complicated. You need to choose materials that work with natural systems rather than against them.

Focus on three key characteristics when selecting corporate gifts: high recyclability, biodegradability, or design for long-term reuse rather than single-use disposal. Think funky packaging that can be recycled, or bottles that can be washed and reused for years to come.

Stainless steel and glass lead the way for drinkware and storage containers. Both materials recycle infinitely without deteriorating and don't leach chemicals into food or drinks. Your team gets safer, better-performing products that last for years – your gift becomes part of their morning or lunchtime ritual.

Natural fibres like organic cotton, hemp, linen, and wool handle corporate apparel and accessories beautifully. They biodegrade naturally while offering superior comfort and durability. Hemp is one of our favourites – it’s naturally antimicrobial and pesticide-free.

Opt for recycled paper notebooks, packaging, and stationery. Unlike plastic recycling, paper recycling actually works effectively, creating a genuine circular economy.

These eco-friendly materials may cost more upfront, but they deliver better value through longevity and positive brand association. Picture this: your team receives gifts they'll actually use and appreciate, and your company demonstrates genuine commitment to sustainable practices rather than just talking about them.

Plastic-Free Gifts Your Team Will Love

Avoiding plastic can sometimes be tricky – look out for the word polyethylene, it’s the most common type of plastic.

So, what can you give your team? The Ethical Gift Box team has rounded up some of our favourite gifts to show your appreciation. No plastic allowed.

Reusable bottles: Stainless steel or glass bottles eliminate single-use plastic waste while providing better temperature control and taste. Your team gets a practical item they'll use daily, and you avoid the chemical leaching issues of plastic alternatives.

Notebooks and pens: Paper notebooks biodegrade naturally and can be made from recycled materials. Wooden or metal pens last longer than plastic versions and can be refilled rather than discarded. These everyday essentials get regular use without creating persistent waste.

Sweets or chocolate: Food items come in recyclable packaging like cardboard or foil rather than plastic wrappers. They're consumed quickly, so there's no long-term waste accumulation, and quality treats show genuine appreciation for your team's efforts.

Drinks (in cans or bottles): Unlike plastic bottles that often end up in landfills, these materials can be recycled – bonus points if you have separate bins at work to collect cans and glass. Premium beverages also feel more special than standard plastic-bottled options.

Bamboo tech: Tech gifts are notorious for being covered in plastic. While they last longer than single-use items, it’s important to opt for eco-friendly alternatives when possible. We love bamboo phone chargers and speakers – excellent quality without the cheap plastic casing.

Ditching the Plastic: The Bigger Picture

Scrapping plastic is just the beginning. The shift to plastic-free gifts opens up conversations about fair labour practices and supporting businesses that align with your values.

When you choose thoughtful, sustainable gifts, you're demonstrating that your company thinks beyond the immediate transaction. You're showing genuine care for both people and planet – this is the kind of leadership that builds loyalty and attracts top talent. It’s a win-win, for the team and for the environment.

Luckily, finding the right corporate gifts doesn’t have to be difficult. The Ethical Gift Box sources sustainable items for you – we handpick each product to meet strict environmental and ethical criteria. Browse our full catalogue to get started