Event giveaways used to be a sign of success, a tote bag stuffed with branded pens, plastic keychains and discount codes. But in today’s sustainability-conscious landscape, swag is undergoing a rethink. More guests are asking where it was made, what it’s made from and whether it can ever be used. More organizers are choosing quality over quantity. Platforms like Brown Paper Tickets, a ticketing service offering digital tools for seamless and sustainable event planning, help lay the groundwork by simplifying logistics and allowing planners to focus on meaningful choices that reflect what their audience values.
Giveaways are no longer about volume or novelty. They’re about resonance. Thoughtful, well-timed gifts can spark loyalty, reinforce the event’s theme and serve as lasting reminders of shared purpose. But to succeed, they need to avoid the landfill, and that starts with intent.
Replacing Throwaway with Thoughtfulness
Many event organizers are rethinking the idea of swag altogether. Instead of defaulting to what’s always been done, they’re stepping back and asking. Do guests actually want this? Branded plastic stress balls, single-use chargers and low-quality T-shirts often sit untouched in hotel rooms or get tossed before the flight home. These items might bear the logo, but they don’t reflect the mission.
That’s why more teams are switching to experience-based or utility-driven gifts, items that carry meaning, not just marketing. A hand-written note, local artisan goods or a donation made in the guest’s name often leaves a stronger impression than a backpack full of filler. Swag doesn’t need to be eliminated. But when it’s reframed around purpose, the outcome is more memorable, less wasteful and better aligned with what guests value today.
Digital Perks That Leave No Trace
One of the simplest ways to avoid waste is to skip the physical item entirely. Digital perks offer a flexible, customizable alternative that works across event types. That could mean early access to on-demand recordings, digital art downloads from event collaborators, or codes for local experiences, like a free coffee at a partner café. Some organizers are using digital thank-you notes to spotlight nonprofits or small businesses connected to the event’s mission, with options for guests to opt into donations.
Brown Paper Tickets can support these efforts by offering digital delivery tools and customizable follow-up options that help guests receive value without needing packaging or distribution. These systems also reduce staff labor and shipping costs, keeping the process smooth for small teams. When thoughtfully designed, digital perks feel curated, not like something was taken away, but like something was made easier.
Sustainable Goods That Last
When physical items are part of the experience, they can still reflect values if they’re chosen with care. Some of the most appreciated gifts aren’t flashy. They’re functional. When surveyed post-event, reusable utensils, portable chargers, glass water bottles, and refillable notebooks were among the most kept items. Guests use them daily, associate them with the event and keep them longer than the usual branded tote.
Many organizers are also prioritizing materials and sourcing. Bamboo, recycled textiles, or upcycled materials add storytelling value, especially when paired with vendor profiles or tags that explain the origin. Some events are partnering with social enterprises or cooperatives that produce goods with both environmental and economic impact. These partnerships add depth and let attendees feel like their swag supported something beyond the event. The key is context. When an item complements the setting, like a seed packet at a garden event or a hand-pressed notebook at a writing workshop, it becomes part of the experience, not just something handed out at the door.
Letting Guests Choose
One of the easiest ways to reduce waste is also one of the most overlooked. Ask guests what they want. Events are now offering opt-in swag at registration, allowing guests to select from a curated list or opt out entirely. This approach reduces over-ordering, ensures better budget use, and allows for more meaningful inventory planning.
Other teams are creating onsite swag bars where guests redeem a token or scan a code to select a single item that resonates with them. This format shifts the exchange from passive to intentional. It invites conversation, encourages discovery and reduces unnecessary duplication. By letting guests choose, organizers reduce waste and increase the chance that the gift can be used and remembered.
Giving Back Instead of Giving Stuff
Some events are skipping swag altogether and offering community-based alternatives. It might include:
- Planting a tree on behalf of each attendee
- Donating to a local nonprofit aligned with the event’s mission
- Sponsoring community projects or student scholarships
- Funding toolkits or resources for underrepresented professionals
Guests often appreciate these gestures more than another branded mug. When paired with messaging during the event, on stage, in signage or through email, they reinforce the idea that the event is about shared values, not giveaways. These types of gifts shift the focus from possession to participation. They invite guests to be part of something larger, and that feeling lasts longer than most souvenirs.
Swag as Storytelling
When done well, a giveaway doesn’t just carry a logo, but it tells a story. Whether it’s handmade, hyperlocal or deeply useful, the best swag connects people to the message behind the event. One festival gave out wildflower seed bombs packaged in compostable paper with planting instructions printed in vegetable-based ink. A tech summit featured portable power banks made from recycled materials, wrapped in a card explaining how e-waste inspired the product.
A sustainability conference offered enamel pins that symbolized different actions taken by the organizing team, like going paperless or using bike couriers. These items weren’t just functional. They were conversation starters, creating opportunities for social media moments, community engagement and value alignment. Events that think of swag as part of the narrative, not just the merchandise, create deeper, more lasting impressions.
Purpose-Driven Gifting Starts with Better Tools
Sustainable swag planning doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs intention and support. Platforms like Brown Paper Tickets make it easier to send digital perks, manage communication and track attendee preferences without adding complexity to the planning process. When teams are working with tight budgets or small crews, that kind of simplicity matters. What organizers give guests isn’t just a memento. It’s a reflection of what the event stands for. When those gifts are chosen with care, they last longer, resonate deeper and leave a lighter footprint behind.