Taking a Sustainable Stance

Sustainability is no longer a buzzy trend. In fact, customers demand it as a standard way of doing business. According to Harvard Business Review, “companies of all types should expand their sustainability efforts and communications today to win trust – and customers – in the future.”

But not only is focusing on sustainability a smart decision because it resonates with customers, it also just makes logical sense. We all live on the same planet, and it’s up to all of us to have a hand in taking care of it.

Koozie Group has been at the forefront of sustainability efforts in the promotional product industry since 2020 when we formalized our social responsibility and sustainability plan, a vision that we call Keep It. Give It.™ Among the major milestones that we have achieved since 2020 are:

• Launching our KG Factor project, which identifies products designed to lessen environmental impact through longevity.
• Achieving CarbonNeutral® company certification on Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We’ve also started measuring Scope 3 GHG emissions.
• Earning Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification at all our Minnesota and Florida sites and earning Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) certification at our Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, site.
• Naming our first Chief Sustainability Officer.

But what about our products specifically? Do we take sustainability into consideration when developing new items or deciding which ones to continue offering? The answer is a resounding yes! Let’s take a look at some prime examples of products that take a strong stance on sustainability.

KG Factor

Our KG Factor designation identifies products that have a high likelihood of being kept or gifted. This gives our distributors a simple way of identifying high-quality items that have appeal and longevity in the marketplace.

To help us determine which of our products earn this designation, we engage a third-party firm, Hanover Research, to conduct end-user surveys. Participants view items from our assortment and answer questions to determine what they would do if they received the product, why they would take that action, and how long they would keep the item. Products that received a minimum score based on these answers receive the KG Factor designation.

Some key findings of these surveys include:

• Four out of five people would keep or give a KG Factor product because it was useful, functional, durable, and attractive.
• 85% of respondents said they would keep these items until they break. Two great examples of KG Factor products are the #CS BIC® Clic Stic® Pen and the #ICLGEL BIC® Intensity® Clic™ Gel Pen. Whether you’ve filled out a deposit slip at the bank or jotted down a list of items to purchase at the grocery store, chances are that at some point in your life you’ve written with the BIC® Clic Stic® pen. This classic writing instrument features a lightweight barrel, break-resistant pocket clip, and a medium ballpoint for smooth and consistent writing – making it a dependable option that you’ll want to reach for again and again.

The BIC® Intensity® Clic™ Gel Pen, meanwhile, is a modern take on the retractable pen. With an automatic clip-retracting mechanism, ultra-smooth gel roller, and trendy colors, this pen provides a comfortable, enjoyable writing session each and every time it’s used.

FSC®/SFI® Certification

When your product offerings include paper-related items like calendars, adhesive notepads, and journals, it’s imperative that you are harvesting the materials used in their creation responsibly. Koozie Group recognizes this, which is why our domestic facilities are Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified and our Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, site (where we produce our calendars and adhesive/scratch pads) is also Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) certified.

FSC® certification ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. SFI® certification ensures that products come from forests that are managed to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk, and forests with exceptional conservation value.

Since 2020, almost all our calendars and Souvenir® Sticky Note™ and scratch pad products have been printed on certified paper. Our goal is to have all calendar products certified by the end of 2024. Currently, we have 500+ certified products, including all the things you need to stay organized, such as the #P4A3A25 Souvenir® Sticky Note™ 4" x 3" Pad, 25 sheet; the #16242 RPET Journal with RPET Pen; and the #360 Small Quantity Custom – Stapled calendar.

workspace with copy space on top view

The adhesive notepad helps you get the job done, whether at work, home, or the office. Because of its size, it also gives you a bit of extra room for jotting yourself a reminder or leaving someone a note.

The pen-and-journal combo is perfect for writing down notes, important reminders, or even reflections from your day! The journal features 80 sheets of white, lined FSC®-certified paper and a cover that is made with recycled PET. The pen, which comes inserted in an elastic pen loop, is made with 88% recycled PET.

Want a custom calendar to fit your needs and schedule? Then the Small Quantity Custom – Stapled calendar is just right for you! This 12-month staple-bound appointment calendar features 13 custom images that you supply, and the calendar grid can start with any month. Want to customize more than just the images? Our expert program managers have a combined 300+ years of experience and are ready to help make a custom calendar vision come to life, from concept to completion.

Utilizing Recycled Materials

Since 2020, we have greatly increased our number of products containing recycled/renewable content from 100 to 600+. We’ve even made recycled content and water bottle equivalency certificates available on product pages on our website. Some exciting new products that have been created from recycled materials include two tumblers that are made with 90% recycled stainless steel and sport 100% recycled plastic lids. The #46434 Koozie Big Recycled Tumbler – 40 oz. is perfect for long road trips and features double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks hot or cold for hours, plus a large comfort handle and tapered base that make transporting the tumbler a breeze. The #46429 Koozie Recycled Tumbler – 16 oz. also features double-wall vacuum insulation and can hold 16 ounces with the lid on or 19 ounces when filled to the rim.

Our #VAUR012 Aurora® 5" Eco-Nation Mini plushies, meanwhile, are crafted entirely from 100% recycled materials, inside and out, making every hug feel extra special. With embroidered eyes and features, these lovable stuffies make delightful companions for all ages and come in a variety of animal styles. Who knew sustainability could look so adorable?

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Koozie Group is serious about leaving a lasting, positive impact with the way it does business. We remain committed to being a sustainability leader in the promotional products industry, and you can count on us to be good environmental stewards while also offering high-quality, lasting products that will be used and enjoyed time and time again.