The $2.3 billion promotional merchandise industry in Australia has a problem - waste.
Too often, promotional items end up in landfill, forgotten and unused. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
At Better Merch, we believe every purchase is a chance to make a difference. By choosing eco-conscious, reusable, and ethically sourced products, your organisation can help shift an entire industry toward better outcomes - for people and for the planet.
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Merch
What Makes Merch ‘Eco’?
Most conventional merchandise is made offshore using carbon-heavy production methods. Fast-turnaround, low-cost products often skip environmental compliance, and few are designed with end-of-life reuse or recycling in mind.
In Australia alone:
• Over 130,000 tonnes of textiles are sent to landfill annually - much of it promo apparel.
• An estimated 10 million promotional items are imported into the country each year.
• Less than 9% of plastic used is actually recycled (source: National Plastics Plan 2021).
But Here’s the Good News: Eco-Merch is on the Rise. In the past five years, the industry has made major strides.
According to Australasian Promotional Products Association (APPA) data:
• Eco-friendly merch options have grown by more than 200% since 2018, with over 1 in 3 suppliers now offering a sustainable range.
This means you no longer have to choose between impactful branding and responsible sourcing. You can have both.
At Better Merch, we assess eco-products based on:
Materials – Recycled PET, organic cotton, RPET felt, bamboo, wheat fibre, or mono-fibre textiles
Reusability – Long-lasting items like drinkware, tote bags, or lunchboxes
Locality – Australian-made wherever possible to reduce freight emissions
End-of-life options – Recyclable, compostable, or repurposable
Purpose-led branding – Clear messaging that encourages retention and use, not waste
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Merch
What Makes Merch ‘Eco’?
We help you choose products that:
• Are actually used, not tossed
• Match your brand values (e.g. climate pledges, ESG goals)
• Can include information on how to recycle or reuse them
• Support circularity - like our partnerships with Upparel and FabPatch for re-use and repair
Better Branding Means Less Waste
When a product is:
• Well-designed & High-quality
• Useful & Beautifully branded
It gets used again and again. That’s the key to reducing waste - not just better materials, but better engagement.
At Better Merch, we design and supply products with both brand impact and planet impact in mind.
Because when merch is done right, it becomes more than a freebie - it becomes a tool for education, visibility, and behavioural change.
Let’s work together to make merchandise something worth keeping.