Sending less to landfill and more to a good cause

The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) understands the need to reduce the effect the promotional products industry has on the planet by finding ways to create a positive impact. The BPMA announced its partnership with Community Interest Company, A Good Thing, in June 2023 to help the industry reduce, reuse and recycle promotional products on behalf of their customers where possible, and support a good cause.

It's all part of our StepForward Pledge; the promotional merchandise industry's Pledge to our sustainable future.

All BPMA members are encouraged to work with their customers to prevent goods going to landfill unnecessarily and the online matching service has already delivered for good causes all over the UK. Since June 2023, BPMA members have already donated 680,416 items and saved charities an estimated £42,000 in costs.

The platform is open to any business with unwanted goods for donation; making it simple for a local cause near to you benefit.

A Good Thing is a not-for-profit and almost entirely volunteer-run, aiming to promote as much reuse as possible. The platform is always free for charities to use, and it’s also free for businesses – for ad-hoc use and small offers. For regular use and large offers, there is a small fee for businesses and BPMA members can access an exclusive discount to encourage even more reuse of items in our sector. 

BPMA Member Offer: A Good Thing are offering BPMA members a reduced price on their largest annual 'supporter' package, at £348/year instead of £490/year. Redeem the offer here. Find their business pricing here.

A business can give away anything it no longer needs. A Good Thing has helped find new homes for water bottles, t-shirts, fleeces, mugs, packaging, one off samples, end-of-line clothing, notebooks, pens and sunflower seeds successfully donated to local charities via the platform… alongside the more traditional items like furniture and IT equipment.

In one month alone (July 2023), BPMA members prevented over 450 items from going to landfill — an estimated carbon saving of 895 kg, enabling four charities to save over £1,500.

We encourage every company with unwanted goods, branded or not, to find new homes rather than turn to landfill. You can even make it part of your sustainable plan when you are thinking about your next order. Make it part of your next merchandise brief for any unused goods to be donated and reused. 

Find a vetted, accredited BPMA member to work with here You can also search our members by those who have already taken their StepForward Pledge too!