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Brand Aid Promotions

Sustainability at Brand Aid Promotions

Our Approach to Measuring and Reducing Environmental Impact

Brand Aid Promotions is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations and the products we source. We are transparent about where we are in our sustainability journey - and where we are still working to improve.

All environmental claims on this page are based on verified data, third-party measurement, or recognised industry certifications. Brand Aid Promotions does not make unqualified claims about environmental benefit.

How We Measure Our Emissions

Globally, only 1 in 10 businesses comprehensively measures their full greenhouse gas emissions. Brand Aid Promotions is one of them.

Through our partnership with Trace - a dedicated carbon measurement platform - we measure our Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions using the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and ISO-aligned methodologies. This produces audit-ready carbon footprint calculations across our direct operations, purchased energy, and supply chain activities.

What this means in practice:

Scope 1 - direct emissions from our own operations

Scope 2 - indirect emissions from purchased electricity and energy

Scope 3 - supply chain emissions including materials, production & logistics

We are working towards reducing our emissions over time. We do not claim to be carbon neutral or net zero at this time. Our goal is to measure accurately, identify our highest-impact areas, and make progressive, evidence-based reductions.

How Trace Works

Trace provides Brand Aid Promotions with 3 core capabilities:

1. Measure: Collect business data and convert it into a verified carbon footprint using the GHG Protocol and ISO-aligned methodologies, producing audit-ready Scope 1, 2, and 3 calculations.

2. Reduce: Identify the specific activities driving the most emissions and develop a reduction plan tailored to our operations, supply chain, and teams.

3. Report: Dashboards, analytics, and ready-to-use reports that can be shared with stakeholders, used in procurement processes, and included in ESG disclosures.

For clients with their own ESG reporting requirements, working with Brand Aid Promotions means your merchandise supplier's emissions data is available and verifiable - not estimated or assumed.

What Are Promotional Products Made From Sustainable Materials?

Promotional products described as having environmental benefits vary significantly in what those benefits actually are. Brand Aid Promotions uses specific, qualified language when describing materials - not broad terms like "eco-friendly" or "green" without explanation.

Below are materials we source and what their specific environmental properties are:

Recycled PET (rPET): Made from post-consumer plastic bottles. Reduces demand for virgin plastic. Commonly used in bags, lanyards, and apparel. The environmental benefit applies to the material component of the product, not the product as a whole.

Bamboo: A fast-growing plant that requires minimal pesticides and water compared to many alternatives. Used in pens, cutlery, and accessories. Environmental benefits vary depending on processing methods and the distance of manufacture.

Cork: Harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without cutting them down. The tree continues to sequester carbon after harvesting. Used in accessories and stationery. A genuinely regenerative material when sourced responsibly.

Recycled Plastic: Diverts post-consumer plastic from landfill and supports circular economy principles. Used in reusable bags and drinkware. Look for products specifying the percentage of recycled content for an accurate claim.

Organic Cotton: Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. Certified organic cotton carries third-party verification. Used in apparel and tote bags. Look for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification for independently verified claims.

Bioplastics: Made from renewable biomass materials rather than fossil fuels. Not all bioplastics are biodegradable or compostable - Brand Aid Promotions will specify disposal requirements clearly when recommending bioplastic products.

Certifications Worth Asking For

When selecting merchandise with environmental claims, Brand Aid Promotions recommends looking for independently verified certifications, including:

CertificationWhat it covers
GOTSGlobal Organic Textile Standard - organic fibre and processing
GRSGlobal Recycled Standard - verified recycled content
FSCForest Stewardship Council - responsibly sourced wood and paper
Fair TradeEthical labour and trading conditions

Brand Aid Promotions can advise on which certifications are available for specific product categories.

Why Businesses Choose Lower-Impact Merchandise

Businesses choosing merchandise with verified environmental attributes typically do so to:

  • Reduce their own supply chain emissions and Scope 3 footprint
  • Align with consumer expectations - research indicates that 74% of consumers view a brand more favourably after receiving a promotional product made from sustainable materials, and 55%+ consider sustainable materials important when evaluating merchandise (Source: PPAI)
  • Support ESG reporting and procurement compliance requirements
  • Reduce waste - 86% of recipients keep promotional products because they are useful, meaning high-utility items are less likely to end up in landfill (Source: PPAI)

Our Commitment Going Forward

Brand Aid Promotions is on a continuous improvement path. We commit to:

  • Maintaining verified emissions measurement through Trace
  • Progressively identifying and acting on our highest-impact emission sources
  • Being transparent about what we have and have not yet achieved
  • Avoiding claims we cannot substantiate
"We do not claim perfection. We claim progress - and we back it with data".

This page is reviewed regularly to ensure all claims remain accurate and current. Brand Aid Promotions' environmental claims comply with the Australian Consumer Law and ACCC guidelines on environmental and sustainability claims.