Merch Showdown: Bamboo vs. Recycled Plastic—Which Promo Item is Greener?

Sustainability is a key factor in many of our clients’ buying decisions. Businesses across Australia are shifting towards eco-friendly promotional products, but here’s the dilemma: should you choose bamboo or recycled plastic for your next branded giveaway? Both materials are marketed as “green,” but the truth is more nuanced. This article delves into how each option compares in terms of environmental impact, branding potential, and practicality.

Why This Comparison Matters

Our customers frequently ask us this question. “We know Cubic Promote is Carbon Neutral, but we want a product that is also kinder to the environment. So is bamboo better than recycled plastic?” It’s a fair question. Both materials offer sustainability benefits, but in different ways. Strategically make the right choice for you and your organisation to avoid unintentional greenwashing.

Round One: Production Impact

Bamboo:

Bamboo grows rapidly in nature. No need for pesticides or replanting. It genuinely is a highly renewable raw material. On paper, that sounds perfect. In practice, though, it is not clear-cut. Bamboo products often require processing to be made into usable products.

Recycled Plastic:

Unlike bamboo, recycled plastic begins life as waste. Post-consumer bottles, containers, and offcuts are collected, processed, and transformed into new promotional products. This reduces landfill waste and demand for virgin plastic. While plastic is still derived from petroleum, the recycling process gives it a second life. This upcycling enables savings in both landfill and landfill emissions required to produce new plastic.

Verdict: Draw

• Bamboo wins on renewability
• Recycled plastic scores higher for upcycling. Turning waste into something useful again.

Round Two: Branding & Usability

Bamboo:

Bamboo products have a natural, premium aesthetic that resonates with eco-conscious audiences. They work brilliantly with laser engraving, which gives a subtle, high-end finish that doesn’t fade. Whether it’s a bamboo pen, notebook cover, or reusable cutlery set, the warm texture adds perceived value—making it perfect for corporate gifting.

Recycled Plastic:

Recycled plastic is versatile, affordable, and ideal for mass distribution. It comes in a wide range of colours. Matching corporate branding colours becomes a breeze. For businesses hosting trade shows, festivals, or charity events, recycled plastic items like pens or drinkware are a cost-effective. Recycled plastics have an advantage over bamboo because pad, screen, and digital printing yield more reliable results. This is due to having even, plainer, smoother, and more evocative coloured surfaces compared to the textured background of natural bamboo.

Verdict:

• Recycled Plastic Wins. It provides more options to print compared to bamboo.

Round Three: End-of-Life Considerations

Bamboo:

One of bamboo’s main appeals is biodegradability. Under composting conditions, bamboo items break down naturally. However, there’s a catch—if tossed into a landfill, bamboo won’t degrade quickly due to the lack of oxygen. Still, the absence of toxins makes bamboo safer for the environment overall.

Recycled Plastic:

Despite being made from recycled content, many recycled plastic products are difficult to recycle again. If they end up in general waste, they face the same landfill challenge as regular plastics. However, the initial recycling step means they’ve already offset some environmental impact.

Verdict:

• Bamboo Wins

The Ultimate Winner?

It is a draw

• Bamboo wins on renewability and end-of-life (lower toxicity, potential for biodegradation/composting under proper conditions).
• Recycled plastic wins on waste diversion. Also, branding logos onto recycled plastic items tends to look crisper. This is because the backgrounds are more plain and neutral in colour.

Available Promo Products Made from Bamboo

• Stationery & Office
  • Bamboo pens
  • Bamboo notebooks/journal covers
• Drinkware & Foodware
  • Bamboo travel mugs
  • Bamboo cutlery sets
  • Bamboo straws in cases
• Tech & Accessories
  • Bamboo wireless chargers
  • Bamboo power banks
  • Bamboo Bluetooth speakers
  • Bamboo USB drives
• Lifestyle & Gifts
  • Bamboo sunglasses
  • Bamboo toothbrushes
  • Bamboo cheeseboards and serving sets
  • Bamboo keyrings
    

    

Available Promo Products Made from Recycled Plastic

• Stationery & Office
  • Recycled plastic pens
  • Recycled plastic rulers
• Drinkware
  • Recycled PET (RPET) water bottles
• Bags & Carriers
  • RPET tote bags
  • RPET drawstring bags
  • RPET backpacks
• Lifestyle & Everyday
  • Recycled plastic keyrings

Buy Both from Cubic Promote

We stock a huge range of eco-friendly merchandise, in both recycled plastics as well as Bamboo. See our range and make a purchase for your organisation.