Typical corporate gifts and freebies (pens, hand fans, sticky notes, lanyards, magnets…) often have in common to be cheap in quality and either useless, thrown away within hours or forgotten in a drawer.
We believe that this unsustainable practice should be banned or replaced with a more valuable approach:
Sustainable practices also improve internal and external brand reputation (beware of Greenwashing though).
For your next corporate gift to clients or to your team members, think different. Most corporate and promotional gifts sadly end up in the waste bins.
Prefer real experiences, e-vouchers, give-back actions, donations, gift of tree, etc... .
If goodies are unavoidable, choose eco-friendly or sustainable options (recyclable or biodegradable material). It is a good way to promote your CSR strategy to your customers. Choose meaningful gifts that will actually be used, don't waste resources and money with pointless items that will be thrown right away.
Be careful not to choose gifts that have been offered too much those past years like water bottles or resusable bags. Ask yourself the question: "will this gift be useful for my customers or my employees, even if they already have 5 of them?".
Moreover,
• Act on quantities & quality (e.g. distribute 1,000 recyclable/ eco-friendly pens versus 2,000 made in a distant country and imported by plane).
• Buy locally to limit transportation and logistics.
• Choose manufacturers with conscious of environmental and social challenges:
1- safe work environment to prevent work accidents and illness
2- employees wellbeing
3- ethical work conditions (minimum salaries levels, no forced labor, no child work...)
If you do not have yet a sustainable procurement policy, please see here on how to implement one and here on how to write one.
The « sustainability journey » may feel overwhelming sometimes, but you are not alone.
Our Buddies have tried, succeeded, failed to implement change in their companies. They share their experience so you can learn, take shortcuts, get inspired and ask questions.
Everybody can become a Buddy and give back to the community; if you are keen, get in touch with us.
Before joining Chanel, I was General Manager of BSI Singapore for 2.5 years. Prior to joining BSI, I held different job assignments for the international retailer Carrefour. For them, I oversaw Quality, Food Safety and Sustainability in China and then at the Group level.
I spent most of my career working in Asia: in Shanghai, Hong Kong and I have been happily settled in Singapore for 8 years now.
I have a real passion for sustainability and nature conservation and I love to share the knowledge and experience I gained in this field. I am also a volunteer for the Singaporean NGO called Climate Conversation which aims to raise awareness on climate change.
In 2003, I joined International SOS, world leader of medical and security assistance services. I relocated to Singapore in 2008, where I have spent my life since. I have held different regional leadership roles and I am a founding member of the Sustainability Committee, initially leading the S (Social) part. I was also leading the Environment pillar, with a special focus on the Ecovadis certification.
I enrolled in SMU back in September 2020, and graduated from the Sustainability and Sustainable Business executive masterclass in December 2020. In July 2021, I joined a local Singaporean startup, H3Dynamics, with the ambition to decarbonize the aviation industry. Since May 2023, I have been the managing director AsiaPacific for Ecocert, pioneer world leader in certification for organic, fair trade and sustainable products in the food, textile and cosmetic industries. I am also the Singapore Ambassador (Volunteer) for Ecomatcher to help brands fight climate change, one tree at a time.
Finally, I am a French Trade Advisor and part of the Sustainability Committee aiming to strengthen bridges between France and Singapore for this crucial agenda.
I am Naomi, currently co-founder & director of givvable. I started my career as an Australian diplomat with postings in East Timor, Thailand and Switzerland then moved into private banking where my interest in ESG and sustainability was seeded.
Today my company helps businesses screen and track the sustainability profile of their suppliers to help them achieve their goals and targets.
I run a business called Bright Green where I work with corporates to engage employees in impact projects in the areas of environmental and social impact. I also facilitate sustainability learning programs to educate employees on developing an eco-friendly mindset and high impact actions they can take in their homes and daily lives.
Before founding Bright Green in 2020, I have been working in Project Management, Change Management and Continuous Improvement roles within Human Resources and Recruitment. I love that I get to work with organisations that are making commitments to net-zero and inspire employees to make an impact!
I founded Liberty Society, a social enterprise of eco & impactful B2B merchandise & hampers that empowers marginalized women. Because of my passion to combine profit and purpose, my previous experiences in the intersection of corporations and nonprofits include being Head of Acquisition at Yuna&Co, Partnership manager at Digitaraya, a Google for Startup Accelerator, and Director of Second Chance, a non profit initiative focusing on child sponsorship & micro financing poor households.
I graduated from Biola University, double majoring in Sociology (Social Justice emphasis) and Communication Studies. I also mentor & consult for youth-led NGOs and social projects working for refugee groups, disaster relief, and rural community development.
Liberty Society was named #1 winner of Women Empowerment Principles award 2021. Most recently, i was one of the 14 Global Young Leaders for Generation 17, a program by Samsung & UNDP to advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geography from Universitas Gadjah Mada. During my college years, I was interested in urban studies (infrastructure, urban planning, and public transportation). I believed that businesses always harmed the environment and believed in the power of research. Yet, I was not satisfied with the impact it had. It was then that I began to think about how to 'change' the business system: profitably, benefitting the communities, preventing damage to the environment, and restoring it.
'Sustainability in business' became my cause. While research has its value, it is businesses that truly implement change and have a direct impact on the environment and society. And I want to make a real impact.
I'm an experienced business professional with 17 years of commercial experience across various industries in developed and developing Asian markets. I have held senior positions in multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and startups, with a strong focus on GTM, B2B sales and expertise in venture building.
In one of my recent circular economy startup roles, I helped Nextevo launch the world's first pineapple leaf fiber denim jacket and jeans with Bershka (Inditex Group) in October 2022 and developed successful partnerships/showcases with the Singapore Design Council and the Singapore Fashion Council. Earlier in my career, I was part of the pioneer team in Singapore at one of the world's largest vertically integrated solar manufacturers, REC ASA, and separately at EPURON, where I supported the management team to launch the first Renewable Energy Trust in Asia with GE Energy Financial Services in 2008.
On the side, I am actively engaged in mentoring startup founders and young changemakers in Asia, participating in programs such as Bridge For Billions, the Singapore International Foundation's Young Social Entrepreneurs, and the National Youth Council Singapore’s Youth Action Challenge.
I leverage my entrepreneurial knowledge and extensive network to empower the next generation of impact-driven entrepreneurs in the region.
I am currently working as Managing Director of Green In Future Pte, a media company promoting sustainability through engaging content, workshops and trainings to inspire and empower individuals and businesses to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to a greener future.