The Role of DEI and ESG in Branded Merchandise

Branded swag in action - colleagues connect over coffee while using apparel, drinkware, and stationery that reflects the company’s purpose and inclusivity.

Building a Better Brand Through Inclusive and Sustainable Swag

As consumer expectations evolve, so does the role of promotional merchandise in brand strategy. No longer can companies afford to hand out generic swag without considering the impact it makes or fails to make. Today’s customers, employees, and communities expect more: more responsibility, more authenticity, and more alignment between a company’s mission and its merchandise.

This is where DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) enter the conversation. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re guiding principles that shape modern business decisions across marketing, HR, operations, and supply chain. And yes, they should also shape the promo products you choose to represent your brand.

When you align your promotional items with DEI and ESG values, you transform everyday swag into powerful tools for enhancing brand awareness, fostering employee engagement, and building consumer trust. A thoughtfully designed jute tote, a polyester hoodie in inclusive sizing, or a custom-printed cork-bound notebook does more than carry your logo; it carries your values into the world.

Why DEI and ESG Must Influence Swag in Today’s Market

Let’s face it, giving out merchandise that lacks purpose or alignment can do more harm than good. If your mission statement emphasizes equity, but your swag only comes in limited sizes or uses suppliers with questionable labor practices, your credibility suffers. Similarly, a sustainability-focused company handing out single-use plastic pens contradicts its values.

DEI ensures your swag is created with accessibility, inclusion, and representation in mind. It’s not just about size and fit, it’s about language, imagery, sourcing, and user experience. ESG, on the other hand, is your roadmap for environmental and ethical accountability. It helps you minimize your carbon footprint, reduce waste, and support social impact with every product you produce and distribute.

Both frameworks reinforce brand loyalty, enhance internal culture, and demonstrate leadership in a world where customers and employees are increasingly driven by a mission.

As covered in The Rise of Purpose-Driven Swag, your merchandise choices can serve as a powerful extension of your brand’s mission, helping you connect with customers and employees on a deeper level.

Swag That Reflects Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A DEI-aligned swag strategy requires more than good intentions. It means proactively choosing custom promotional products that are designed with all people in mind and sending a message of respect, belonging, and empowerment.

Here’s how to make DEI part of your branded merchandise strategy:

1. Offer Inclusive Apparel

Ensure that your hoodies, sweaters, shirts, and other wearable items are available in extended sizing and unisex cuts. Look for soft, adaptable materials like organic cotton, bamboo, or microfiber that feel comfortable and inclusive for all bodies.

2. Visual and Cultural Representation

Incorporate diverse imagery on items like notebooks, mugs, or conference swag. Use illustrations, color palettes, or language that reflects your full target audience and customer base.

3. Work With Diverse-Owned Suppliers

Source from woman-owned, BIPOC-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and disability-inclusive companies. Every order becomes a tool for economic inclusion and brand equity growth.

4. Design for Accessibility

Think beyond appearance—ensure your swag is easy to open, carry, and use. Use tactile textures, large print where possible, and universal product forms (e.g., drawstring bags instead of zippered totes).

ESG in Swag: Environmental & Ethical Accountability

If your company claims to care about the environment, your merchandise should reflect that. ESG-friendly promotional products prioritize sustainable materials, low-impact manufacturing, and long-term usefulness. These products reduce pollution, support upcycling, and enable responsible branding for a greener future.

Consider These ESG-Aligned Product Materials:

• Organic cotton for T-shirts, tote bags, and caps

• Cork, bamboo, or wood notebooks and cutting boards

• Stainless steel and glass bottles for hydration-focused gifting

• Seed paper business cards, coupons, or package inserts

• Polyester and polypropylene alternatives made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET)

• Bioplastics and polylactic acid (PLA) pens, straws, and utensils

• Twill, foam-free, or zero-waste packaging made with cardboard

Make sure your suppliers track their emissions, water use, and labor standards. A supply chain built on fair trade, ethical sourcing, and carbon transparency helps elevate your ESG ratings and protects your brand reputation.

The Business Impact of DEI- and ESG-Aligned Merchandise

Choosing swag that reflects your values is not just the right thing to do, it’s good business. Studies show that brands with strong DEI and ESG alignment outperform their competitors in employee satisfaction, consumer loyalty, and long-term market valuation.

Branded merchandise that supports equity and sustainability can:

• Improve brand awareness and customer engagement

• Increase employee swag adoption and internal pride

• Reduce waste and cost through reusability and productivity

• Position your company as a leader in ethical marketing and green innovation

• Support better performance in Google Analytics, feedback surveys, and social media engagement

Even small adjustments, like offering Made in USA eco-apparel or swapping plastic pens for metal stylus pens, can make a visible impact.

If you're unsure how to select items that match your mission, this guide on aligning promotional products with your brand purpose breaks down exactly how to choose swag that reflects your values.

Real Examples of DEI & ESG in Swag Programs

• A healthcare company distributes eco-friendly gift kits featuring a ceramic mug, seed-based notepad, and mental health resources, delivered in compostable packaging.

• A nonprofit builds brand awareness with bioplastic swag and screen-printed hoodies from a B Corporation that reinvests in marginalized communities.

• A tech firm launches a remote onboarding kit that includes a bamboo stylus, wireless headphones, jute tote, and custom snack sampler, sourced from minority-owned vendors.

These brands are using swag as a tool not just for promotion, but for progress.

FAQs: DEI & ESG in Promotional Merchandise

What is DEI in branded merchandise?

DEI refers to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In swag, it means designing and sourcing products that are accessible, inclusive, and representative of all people, supporting equity through both product choice and vendor partnerships.

What is ESG and how does it apply to swag?

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. ESG-aligned swag prioritizes sustainability, ethical labor, and minimal environmental impact through better materials, packaging, and sourcing.

What are the best sustainable products to use for corporate swag?

Choose cork notebooks, organic cotton bags, upcycled backpacks, bamboo utensils, glass water bottles, seed paper inserts, and items made from recycled plastics like rPET.

What’s the ROI of purpose-driven swag?

Beyond impressions, swag that reflects brand values improves trust, internal engagement, and brand equity. It’s a high-impact marketing tool that supports your revenue, retention, and reputation.

Where can I buy promotional merchandise that supports ESG and DEI?

You can shop for eco-friendly and inclusive merchandise through HighVolve. We offer custom solutions designed to reflect your mission and engage your audience responsibly.

Final Thought: When Swag Reflects Your Mission, It Works Harder

Swag isn’t just stuff. When done with purpose, it’s a platform for storytelling, culture, and real connection. In a world where environmental issues, social justice, and corporate accountability are front and center, every promotional product you distribute should be chosen with care.

So whether it’s a steel water bottle at a trade show, a custom hoodie for new hires, or a jute tote sent to a remote team, your merchandise should do more than promote, it should represent.

Create DEI- and ESG-aligned swag with HighVolve