How Responsible Businesses Should Think About Merchandising

Julie Starr • July 16, 2021



Merchandising is a popular tool for many businesses to use, and for quite clear reasons. Not only can it potentially provide an extra revenue stream, but it may help you spread branding with products that speak to the value of your brand. For instance, bringing merchandise to a convention you’re attending can, in effect, help you spread your marketed brand presence around the entire event, especially if you give away certain items for free.

Yet it’s also true that merchandised products should be considered from a sustainability perspective in order to responsibly and ethically design such merchandise. Handcrafted items can be helpful from time to time, especially if you’re a small firm where professional printing or transfer paper can be useful, but how should you think about these problems at scale?

In this post, we hope to explore this topic and see if we can lessen our impact on the production cycle while also chasing possible sustainability efforts . This is a great way to redefine and represent the spirit and values of your brand – everything that merchandise should represent.

Let’s get started:

High-Quality Printing Companies

High-quality printing companies can provide you with a great means of making sure your branded approach works well, and that each piece of merch is undeniably and proudly yours. In some cases, this might include embroidery, such as at the top of baseball caps. The higher quality you can print, the better the merchandise itself will be, and that itself will ensure the item is used for a much longer amount of time.

Never Create Disposable Goods

It’s important to never create disposable goods that can be thrown away easily or thrown into landfills within a matter of days. For instance, instead of having five thousand small pens made for your attendance at a convention, perhaps you could make two hundred tote bags that give the guests a higher-quality item they may even begin to use in their personal life. This has the added benefit of being the container in which other merchandised options given by other brands will be placed, allowing you to supersede the branding therein. It’s not hard to see just how worthwhile that can be, as this speaks to the confidence and sustainable values of your brand. Always source proper sustainable suppliers and practices to support.

Change For Good

It can be healthy to match every sale of a merchandised item with a goodwill gesture. If someone purchases a piece of branded merchandise from your store, for example, you might decide to donate towards planting a tree in a foreign country. This not only encourages sales thanks to the ‘conscious factor’ you provide with every purchase, but it can help limit the impact of creating a humble merch library in the first place. With a cause you stand behind, this could be a fruitful and effective positive step.

With this advice, we hope you, as a responsible business, can make the most of merchandising.

The Business Case for Sustainability: Communicating Your Strategy in an Evolving Landscape

By Julie Starr • February 17, 2025
A shifting political landscape can create uncertainty for businesses committed to sustainability, but one thing remains clear: the need for transparency and strategic communication has never been greater. As the federal government moves to roll back environmental and social policies, companies must proactively define their sustainability strategies, ensuring stakeholders—employees, customers, investors, and partners—understand their commitments and the business value they create. The Power of Clear Communication Sustainability is not a trend; it’s an imperative driven by economic, environmental, and social realities. Despite policy shifts, the forces of market demand, global regulation, and risk mitigation continue to push companies forward. To maintain momentum, organizations should : Clarify Their Sustainability Position: Companies must articulate their approach in ways that resonate with stakeholders. Whether reducing emissions, improving supply chain resilience, or advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leaders should communicate clearly how these strategies align with long-term business success. Leverage Data-Driven Insights: In an era of skepticism, relying on factual, measurable sustainability outcomes strengthens credibility. Stakeholders need more than broad commitments—they need clear, quantifiable impacts. Maintain Focus on Global Markets: While federal policies may change, international regulations and customer expectations continue to favor sustainable business models. Companies operating across borders must ensure their sustainability strategies align with evolving global standards. Staying the Course in a Changing Environment While some companies may feel pressure to scale back sustainability efforts in response to shifting political winds, leading organizations recognize that progress is a long-term game. Now is not the time to retreat but to double down on: Resilient Supply Chains: With new tariffs and policy changes affecting imports, companies should evaluate how sustainability-driven supply chain diversification can reduce risk and enhance efficiency. Operational Decarbonization: The financial and strategic benefits of decarbonization—from renewable energy investments to energy-efficient operations—remain strong, independent of policy shifts. Workforce and Customer Engagement: Employees and consumers increasingly expect businesses to uphold their values. Companies that maintain commitments to social responsibility and environmental impact will strengthen brand loyalty and attract top talent. Sustainability leadership is about more than responding to regulatory shifts—it’s about defining the future. Companies that stay the course, communicate effectively, and align their sustainability strategies with business objectives will be the ones that thrive in the years ahead.

Connecting the Dots: Air Quality, Climate Messaging, and Stakeholder Engagement

By Julie Starr • February 7, 2025
I n a world increasingly affected by environmental change, it’s critical to recognize the everyday impacts of air pollution beyond the commonly cited respiratory and cardiovascular risks. A recent study, published in Nature Communications , reveals that even short-term exposure to air pollution can impair cognitive function, affecting focus, emotional recognition, and task performance. This groundbreaking research underscores the urgent need for effective climate communication and stakeholder engagement to address air quality issues. At Taiga Company, we specialize in climate-focused stakeholder engagement, helping organizations bridge the gap between scientific findings and actionable change. Our services provide a crucial platform for educating stakeholders—including businesses, policymakers, and communities—on the dangers of air pollution and the strategic steps needed to mitigate its effects.  The Link Between Air Quality and Cognitive Function The study found that exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter, even for just an hour, reduced participants' ability to maintain focus, process emotions accurately, and avoid distractions. Such cognitive impairments can have profound implications in workplace productivity, education, and public safety. For instance, employees working in environments with poor air quality may experience diminished concentration, leading to decreased efficiency and increased errors. Similarly, students exposed to air pollution may struggle with academic performance due to impaired attention and emotional regulation. These insights reinforce the idea that air pollution is not just an environmental concern but a societal and economic one, requiring a holistic approach to policy, corporate responsibility, and community engagement. The Role of Climate Messaging in Air Quality Awareness Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, public awareness of air pollution’s cognitive and behavioral impacts remains limited. This is where strategic climate messaging becomes essential. Effective communication can: Translate complex scientific research into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Drive policy advocacy by equipping decision-makers with data-backed arguments for stricter air quality regulations. Encourage behavioral change among businesses and individuals by highlighting solutions, such as cleaner transportation, sustainable energy sources, and indoor air quality improvements. However, simply disseminating information is not enough. Stakeholder engagement ensures that communities, businesses, and policymakers are not just informed but also motivated and equipped to take action. Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility The study’s findings make one thing clear: air pollution is not just an environmental issue—it’s a cognitive and social issue with wide-reaching consequences. As we navigate an increasingly complex climate landscape, it’s crucial to integrate air quality concerns into broader discussions on sustainability, health, and productivity. At Taiga Company, we believe that effective stakeholder engagement is the key to transforming awareness into action. By educating businesses, policymakers, and communities, we can drive the changes necessary to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. To learn more about how Taiga Company can help your organization develop impactful climate communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, contact us today.
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