ASI Launches “Promo For The Planet” Sustainability Resource

TREVOSE, PA – May 5, 2022 – The Advertising Specialty Institute^® (ASI) today announced the launch of Promo for the Planet, a comprehensive, one-stop online resource to help explain and encourage sustainability best practices among suppliers and distributors, with the goal of creating a more socially responsible promotional products industry.

“There’s no movement stronger in the world today than sustainability,” said Timothy M. Andrews, ASI president and chief executive officer. “It’s imperative for suppliers and distributors to focus on responsible sourcing, using products that can be recycled whenever possible and to consider social responsibility and the environment throughout the entire supply chain. It’s not only good for the environment, it’s good for business – especially to companies seeking to capture younger buyers.”

ASI’s microsite, asicentral.com/promofortheplanet, will be continually updated with new content, including successful case studies, breaking news on topics like plastic bag bans and info on sustainable labels and certifications, along with videos, in-depth features and a glossary of terms to help industry members better understand key topics like what makes a shirt organic.

Statistics prove the time is now for the promo industry to embrace sustainability:

• Between 2016 and 2021, Google searches relating to sustainable goods increased 71% globally, according to the WWF.
• Searches in ASI’s ESP^® for sustainable and eco-friendly products increased by nearly 50% from January to April 2022, when compared to the same period in 2021.
• Nearly seven in 10 consumers of all ages say a brand’s sustainability practices shape their purchasing decisions, according to IDC, a market intelligence firm.

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“It’s imperative for suppliers and distributors to focus on responsible sourcing, using products that can be recycled whenever possible and to consider social responsibility and the environment throughout the entire supply chain," said ASI CEO Tim Andrews

“We need to ensure we’re creating products that will be loved and used for a long time to come and that we’re doing the very best we can for the environment, for citizens around the world, and for our planet,” said Andrews.

ASI Media’s Theresa Hegel, an executive editor of digital content, is spearheading ASI’s latest initiative. To help, Hegel (thegel@asicentral.com) brought together a top-notch advisory board of suppliers and distributors savvy in promo products sustainability to share their best practices.

The board is comprised of: Kris Robinson, chief sales officer, PromoShop (asi/300446); Andy Keller
CEO, ChicoBag (asi/44811); Michelle Sheldon, president, Eco Promotional Products (asi/185797); Kathy Cheng, president, Redwood Classics Apparel (asi/81627); Daniel Cardozo, president and CEO, Ethix Merch (asi/189731); Lindsey Davis, director of promotional sales, Raining Rose (asi/80489); Lou Elliott-Cysewski, co-founder and CEO, CoolPerx (asi/556047); and Liz Haesler, chief merchandising officer, PCNA (asi/78897).

“End-users are increasingly concerned about brands’ environmental and social practices,” Hegel said. “And more brands are putting an emphasis on the environmental and social impact of their actions, and that extends to marketing efforts like promotional products and branded merch.”

About ASI
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI^®; asicentral.com) serves a network of 25,000 suppliers, distributors and decorators in the $23.2 billion promotional products industry. ASI’s flagship product, the technology platform ESP^®, manages the industry’s entire supply and marketing chain. ASI also produces award-winning digital content, live events and educational programs that enable companies in 53 countries to be more efficient, productive and profitable. ASI’s media and research operation provides the most authoritative business content in the industry, and the ASI Certification Program features 200+ live and online education courses for industry professionals. The company, family-owned and -operated since 1962, is proud to have been consistently ranked among the “Best Places to Work” in Philadelphia and Bucks County, PA.