Magazine

7 Plastic-Free Gadgets for Your Corporate Event Sustainability is an increasingly shared value among companies, driven by growing concern over the environmental crisis we are experiencing. For many, it has become a mission that is gradually revolutionizing small daily habits: from office recycling to car sharing, from adopting orchards to plastic-free projects. Companies are focusing on green initiatives, including the choice of gadgets to present to event participants, strictly without plastic. Plastic: versatile, convenient but unsustainable Plastic is undoubtedly a material that offers excellent performance at a low cost. Easy to store and clean, it has spread across every sector and situation. The use of single-use plastic, in particular, is now pervasive, but the discovery of microplastics in the sea and the environmental damage they cause are prompting a new reflection on the use of this material. Even the Ministry of the Environment, to set a good example, is making its offices plastic-free, establishing goals that all companies can adopt: Eliminate plastic items, encouraging employees to use cups or water bottles brought from home Always keep in mind the 4 R rule: reduce, reuse, recycle, recover Avoid using single-use plastic at corporate events Branded thermal water bottles One of the most popular choices is a branded thermal water bottle with the company logo, made of stainless steel, reusable for a long time. This product is very trendy, especially during this transition period from plastic to more ecological materials. Water bottles come in many shapes and colors, and the design can fit any style, but handing them out as they are might be somewhat inconvenient for attendees. Why not distribute them inside a jute bottle bag? For your guests, it will be easier to carry them around, and you will give them a double gift: the water bottle and a 100% natural bag that they can also reuse at home. 2. Custom jute bags with a small product sample Another plastic-free idea is a product sample inside packaging made from ecological materials. This may be especially interesting for cosmetic companies, or those producing fragrances and jewelry. Eco-friendly and available in every size, they can be customized by size and material. Custom natural jute bags, for example, are an eco-sustainable alternative to the classic plastic pouch. 3. Food in glass jars or bottles: oil, wine, jams, spices Glass jars or bottles with jams, oils, wines, and liquors are always a nice idea, even for those not working in the food sector. The important thing is that the gadget you give matches the event’s concept. In this case, pairing the product with an eco-friendly package, customized with your logo and a message, will help contextualize your choice more effectively. You could also set up a tasting corner, with compostable cutlery and natural ecological cotton bread baskets. Your guests will surely appreciate it. 4. A pen made of wheat straw The pen has always been a preferred corporate gadget. Practical and low-cost, the traditional pen is mostly made of plastic. Choosing to use a pen made from ecological material is an excellent way to communicate sustainability values while staying classic. There are many alternative materials to choose from, but the wheat straw pen outperforms them all, thanks to elegant shapes and colors that catch the eye and feel pleasant to the touch. A gadget your audience will surely like. 5. Fabric bags and shoppers with your logo, for brochures and notebooks Using a fabric bag as a gadget is a very practical choice as it can be reused in many situations. On the event day, you can fill it with brochures, informational materials, and a notebook that participants will take home. Then, once emptied, the fabric bag becomes very useful in many occasions: a multi-use bag for everyday small purchases, a lunch bag, or to carry changes of clothes. The possibilities are many. You could even create a small flyer listing some ideas for reuse. For luxury and fashion companies, fabric bags made of satin, cotton, or felt can become an iconic element that immediately conveys the brand’s values and positioning, especially if committed to sustainability. 6. Cardboard stationery set If choosing a pen alone as a gadget is not enough, you might consider the entire stationery kit, very useful and elegant, available in various colors, perfect for exclusive events, to be given in a 100% ecological cotton shopper. 7. Organic cotton T-shirts Most clothing we wear contains plastic and other polluting materials. Distributing an organic cotton T-shirt personalized with the company logo at an event is a creative idea that will help you stand out for your particular attention to the environment. Choosing the right gadget for corporate events Environmental awareness is a value shared by many companies, and trade fairs or corporate events are the moments when you can demonstrate a concrete commitment by avoiding single-use plastic and choosing plastic-free gadgets. A gadget with eco-friendly packaging, consistent with the company’s style, practical and well-made, will rarely be discarded after the event. It will be a business card for your company and a keepsake your guests can preserve for a long time.

Can good packaging increase the perceived value of a product? Yes, and it can do even more. It can instantly communicate your brand's values, not only through colors and images but also through the materials chosen for packaging. Perceived value is the sum of strategic, marketing, and communication choices. Everything contributes to defining it: from the in-store or online shopping experience to the product use, from social media posts to the packaging that protects your items. Choosing an eco-friendly packaging option, such as a custom cotton fabric bag, instead of plastic packaging, can make a significant difference if your target customers are sustainability-conscious. Packaging communicates your values Packaging is part of the product. It is the first thing customers see when they buy from you. Since the first impression counts, choosing packaging that communicates is the first step to increasing the perceived value of your products and is essential for your Branding strategy. The market is saturated; consumers are increasingly informed and attentive to the value of each purchase. If they identify with the brand—if the product they buy is not just a product but addresses their deeper needs: belonging, security, self-realization—they are also willing to pay more and recommend it to others. Therefore, every aspect of the product matters. There is functionality: the product meets your customers’ needs and must live up to their expectations. There is emotional value: buyers invest because they believe that product will improve their lives. Finally, there is social and environmental impact. The environmental and social impact of a product is an aspect that can no longer be overlooked. People know their consumption choices influence brand decisions, and many today demand concrete commitment from companies. It is no coincidence that organic, plastic-free, and cruelty-free products are achieving widespread success among consumers. For this reason, many brands, big and small, are focusing on fabric packaging or packaging made with other eco-friendly materials.     Every sector requires specific packaging The perceived value of packaging is a crucial element in the purchasing experience. Historically, a product with durable packaging, an appealing design, and quality materials is preferred over others, but there is no perfect packaging solution for every occasion. Each sector has its specificities, and each company has its style. For example, a cosmetics company must comply with strict quality standards and therefore choose durable packaging capable of preserving the product’s properties for an extended period. Plastic and paper are among the most common materials, but if a brand has made eco-sustainability one of its core values, it might prefer alternative materials and produce fabric bags and pouches for cosmetics and beauty free of plastic, such as satin bags or cotton pouches and other natural materials like jute and linen. A fashion company, on the other hand, requires elegant packaging made from high-quality materials to protect clothing and accessories. Satin, velvet, cotton, and felt are fabrics commonly used in the sector, especially as bases for jewelry bags and fashion bags. In the food sector, packaging must be made from non-toxic materials but at the same time help the brand distinguish its products from others on the same store or supermarket shelf. Once again, the choice of colors, shape, and material is fundamental. The best packaging should be durable and sustainable Hemp, jute, linen, canvas, bamboo, and cotton are all materials that can replace plastic because they are equally durable and versatile. Choosing alternatives to plastic does not mean compromising product quality or limiting customization options. On the contrary, the packaging industry is increasingly investing in eco-friendly packaging, a choice confirmed by consumers, as also demonstrated by the market survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group for Exal on the “Quantification of sustainability’s impact on consumer goods purchase decisions.” According to the study, approximately 47% of respondents are willing to pay at least 5% more for eco-friendly packaging.

What can you do in your company to save the environment? More and more companies are developing green business models to make their brand more sustainable. Taking commitments to protect the environment is the foundation of any effective Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. Furthermore, adopting solutions focused on the use of renewable energy, bio-ecological materials and textiles, reducing consumption and waste within workspaces to concretely help the environment, also improves the perception potential clients have of the company and attracts those more sensitive to sustainability issues. A choice that can help you differentiate yourself from the competition. Where to start? First of all, making your company an example of sustainability is not possible without the involvement and active participation of all employees. Corporate sustainability is achieved not only by making production operations more sustainable but also through good practices. In the past, many companies limited themselves to informing – through seminars and meetings – on complex topics such as sustainability, climate change, renewable energy, and waste sorting. But today this is no longer enough. Being sustainable means adopting more ethical and environmentally respectful lifestyles as individuals and as a company, integrating these habits into daily work, involving every aspect of your activity. Want to know how to make your company more sustainable? Here are 4 practical tips you can implement. Changing office habits It may seem trivial, yet many incorrect behaviors in the office, if changed, can bring benefits to the environment and savings for the company. Paperless office Computers are essential for office work since almost all operations today are automated. For this reason, many companies have adopted a paperless approach, minimizing paper use by maximising digital devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. And if paper use cannot be avoided? You can opt for purchasing recycled eco-friendly paper or reusing old sheets written on only one side. Good habits are not limited to the office; common areas such as the meeting room and bathroom can also become paperless. In the meeting room, you might install a digital or magnetic whiteboard instead of the classic flipchart. In the bathroom, you could replace traditional paper dispensers with electric hand dryers. Implement waste sorting You could provide containers inside the offices and common areas for separate waste collection, preferably one for organic waste, one for plastics, one for glass and cans, one for paper, and a small container for non-recyclable materials (residual waste). Initially, employees might greet the change with some hesitation, but over time they will get accustomed to the new routine and carry it outside the office as well. Eliminate plastic Plastic is a real problem for the environment. It is essential to reduce its use as much as possible. Many alternative materials exist, and there are various ways to do without plastic, for example you might: eliminate single-use plastic: no more plastic cups, plates, cutlery encourage the use of reusable bottles and glass cups use recyclable containers for lunch if your staff brings food from home, such as fabric bags and fabric bags, and why not, you could create customised cotton or other recyclable material lunch bags to gift your staff eliminate plastic bottles by encouraging employees to use water fountains and taps Reducing energy consumption in the company Along with plastic, energy consumption and CO2 emissions are also damaging to the environment. Your company can take action on this. To reduce energy consumption, you could use LED lighting, which is increasingly widespread due to its much longer lifespan compared to halogen bulbs and lower energy requirements. Also, reducing printer use or putting the PC on standby during lunch breaks can have positive effects in the long term, both in terms of consumption reduction and cost savings on bills. . Adopting solutions to reduce CO2 emissions Reducing CO2 emissions requires some investments, but in the long term positive results can also be seen in the satisfaction level of collaborators, because knowing that the company they belong to is attentive to the environment and sustainability can increase motivation and sense of belonging. How to contain carbon dioxide emissions? There are many possibilities. Here are some examples: Insulating workspaces To reduce CO2 emissions, if you haven’t already done so, you could invest in thermal insulation covering that limits heat dispersion. This way you could maintain a comfortable temperature in both winter and summer, reducing air conditioning use and emissions. Smart Working, car sharing, and incentives for cycling or public transport use Many of us use cars to get to work, which negatively impacts air pollution. You could provide your employees with incentives for bike purchase or public transport subscriptions, or promote Smart Working. Even working from home one day a week can help reduce pollution and optimise water, heating, and electricity consumption in your company. And then there is packaging. Packaging is an environmental problem because plastic is often preferred though it is not always recycled and is severely damaging marine ecosystems. Today there are many much more ecological and natural alternatives that reduce the environmental impact of packaging such as natural cotton, jute, juco, hemp. Communicating your commitment to sustainability by organising corporate events and roundtables Some companies demonstrate their commitment to the environment through projects and events to spread accurate knowledge about environmental issues, encourage cooperation among companies, and promote active employee participation. If you plan to organise a corporate event for your business, you could seize the opportunity to show your attention to the environment. Corporate events are a good introduction and an integral part of the company’s branding strategy, as they allow the company to communicate its mission concretely by demonstrating how it organises production and offices to reduce environmental impact.

Jute or Calcutta hemp: what it is, where it originates, and how it is processed Directly from the tropical regions of Asia, jute is one of the most ancient textile fibres in history. Favoured since ancient times for its ability to thrive in the humid climates of India, jute was perfect for making ropes, weaving common types of canvas, and for bags used to store colonial food commodities like coffee and cocoa. It was, and remains, second only to cotton in terms of use, global consumption, production, and availability. Its arrival in the West was not immediate – this dates roughly to the 18th century – but over time it has gained increasing interest thanks to its complete biodegradability, which today provides us with durable, eco-friendly jute fabric bags to protect food and items. But where do the jute bags we use so much come from? They come from processing a natural textile fibre extracted from plants of the genus Corchorus Capsularis, belonging to the Malvaceae family, present in large quantities in the monsoon regions of the East. The growth of this plant is sensitive to rainfall, which is why the largest global production of jute occurs in the Ganges river area, a humid place with rainfall that is neither too heavy nor too scarce, ideal conditions for cultivating crops. The plant can reach up to 4 metres in height and may vary in colour: from white with a yellowish tint to silver-grey or various shades of brown. It comes in two varieties: Corchorus olitorius, with golden reflections, and the previously mentioned Corchorus capsularis, which has silvery reflections. The history of the plant and its use Compared to other textile fibres, jute arrived relatively late in Europe. But its use dates back to the time of the pharaohs! In Egypt, the jute variety Corchorus olitorius was cultivated to obtain nutritious food from the leaves and durable fibre from the stalks. This use was shared by other populations in Africa and Asia, who valued jute for the same qualities and used it both as food and as a textile fibre. In Europe, it arrived only around the 1700s, when the British began trading in jute fibre. In the 18th century, jute was used not just in textiles, but also in fishing, construction, and the arms industry. Initially, its coarse texture only allowed for hand processing. This changed when it was discovered that whale oil could soften it enough for machine processing. At that point, the jute trade increased dramatically until the 1970s, when it began to decline due to the introduction of new, cheaper synthetic textile fibres.     And today? Today, jute has not lost its value; on the contrary, in a context of strong environmental awareness, it is highly appreciated for the sustainability of its cultivation. There are many uses for it. In transport, it is used for packaging, especially for agricultural goods, such as coffee bags or bags for legumes. In agriculture, it is used to contain roots and protect plant stems. But it is especially in the textile sector that it is used to create many types of decorative objects that can be used and reused, such as, for example, flower pot holders, natural jute pouches to use as bags or document holders, or even bottle bags to make a gift look more charming and elegant. Processing and washing the fabric The jute stalks are first harvested from the plantation and then subjected to retting to free the fibres from the green material: after drying, they are immersed in water for about twenty days and then dried again. The fibres extracted at the end of this process are washed, dried, and baled. The woody part that remains after the water retting is used as firewood. The fabric obtained, jute canvas, is today mainly destined for the production of packaging and bags. Although it is a very durable fabric, care must be taken when washing it, as it often tends to fray. So, for example, if you need to wash a jute bag for dried fruit, a flower pot holder bag, or other types of jute bags, we recommend hand washing in cold water, using detergent for delicate fabrics and avoiding wringing the material to preserve the product’s original shape. To remove stains, it is better to dab with a sponge moistened with water and ammonia. Jute often has a very distinctive odour. If it is not very strong, it can be removed simply by airing the fabric. Otherwise, just leave some baking soda on the fabric for a couple of days and then rinse it. Why choose jute over other fabrics? If you want to create compact, sturdy packaging that is also lightweight and has thickness, jute is undoubtedly a good choice. There is also the sustainability aspect. Each fabric has specific characteristics, and jute stands out because it is completely biodegradable and recyclable, and its cultivation is also sustainable. These features make it versatile. Jute is perfect for a wide variety of uses and can be recycled in many useful ways to transform it into new items or home decorations. How to reuse jute fabric: tips and creative ideas We searched online for some suggestions on how to reuse jute. You can put them into practice immediately with the fabric you have at home. For example, if you have an old Christmas jute sack that you haven’t used for a long time, why not transform it into something else? If you run a sustainability-conscious company and package your products with jute bags, you could share these tips with your customers. Here are some ideas to recycle your jute fabric: 1. Transform a coffee bean bag into a plant holder and other objects With a jute sack, you could create a plant holder for small plants. On the market, you will find many types of jute plant holder bags that are perfectly sewn and finished, but if you have some spare jute fabric and enjoy DIY, you can cut a piece of fabric and wrap it around a pot, tying it with a coloured or white ribbon to keep it in place. Or why not make charming cutlery holders for special dinners? Simply cut two rectangles of different sizes from the sack you want to recycle, place the smaller fabric rectangle on top of the larger one, and sew on three sides. Leaving one side open will create a pocket to hold the cutlery. Sewing lace all around can make it look more elegant. Another nice idea, especially for Christmas, is creating small festive decorations like these :    2. Transform a printed jute sack into a cushion and other ideas If the sack you have is printed, the best way to recycle it is to turn it into a cushion. Simply fill the sack with clothes, old towels you no longer use, or with wool, then sew the edges tightly. The result is an original decorative accessory. But there are many other ways to recycle old jute sacks. Why not create a nice keychain? Just cut the printed part of the sack, insert some cotton, attach a hook, and sew it up again. Or opt for a very simple but always appreciated idea: cut the jute into many small squares and use them to cover jar lids you have at home, as shown in the image below. IMAGE Curiosities The term "Jute" is not the only way we can refer to this type of fabric. It is also known as Corcoro (from Corchorus Capsularis) and as Calcutta hemp, due to its similarity and distant relation to hemp. In Italian, both “iuta” and “juta” are considered correct spellings.