Hot Summer 2023 – Embrace Sustainable Promotional Products Trends

This beloved season brings warm weather, blue skies, and longer days—perfect for outdoor activations, beach days, and brand experiences. As companies plan summer campaigns across South Africa, more teams are choosing eco-friendly promotional merchandise that builds awareness and supports a lighter footprint. If you’re hosting an outdoor event, incentivising staff wellness, or sending client kits, here’s a practical guide to sustainable summer gifting—with live product picks linked naturally throughout to avoid dead ends.

Why go green this summer?

• Align with your values: Sustainable merch signals that your brand cares about people and the planet.
• Better longevity: Quality, reusable items earn repeat use and deliver more impressions per rand.
• Local relevance: South Africans spend time outdoors—from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean—so sun-smart, hydration-forward gifts land well.

Shield against UV: sun-smart essentials they’ll actually use

Protecting eyes and skin never goes out of style. Build your kit around a few high-rotation pieces that travel from office to weekend with ease.

• Sunglasses: Keep branding subtle on the arm of classics like the Classic UV400 Sunglasses or go premium with Altitude Adventurer Polarised Sunglasses for outdoor teams.
• SPF on the go: Pocket-size sunscreen is a crowd-pleaser for field staff, event crews, and road warriors. Consider the Mini SPF 30 Sunscreen (30ml) or clip-friendly SPF Sunblock 50ml with Clip. For bigger packs, the coastal-ready Coastal Sunblock SPF30 (60ml) works well.
• Caps that carry your brand: A breathable six-panel like the Brushed Cotton Twill Cap adds everyday shade and a neat, visible logo position without feeling overbranded.

Beach day must-haves: practical, portable, brandable

Planning a beach clean-up, summer social, or coastal team build? Choose compact, quick-dry items that elevate the experience and live on after the event.

• Sand-smart towels: Quick-dry fabric means less soggy baggage and more branding moments. The Kooshty Kokomo Microfibre Beach Towel packs small, dries fast, and prints beautifully.
• Flip flops with a conscience: Cork and natural textures feel fresh and summer-ready. Try Kooshty Mangrove Cork Flip Flops for a comfortable, beach-proof giveaway.
• Compact cooler bags: Keep snacks and cans cold from tee-off to sundowners. A classic like the Classic 6-Can Cooler Bag or the hands-free Altitude Chill Backpack Cooler delivers all-day utility.
• Game-time extras: Lightweight, packable toys raise the fun factor. Think Inflatable Beach Balls for photo-friendly moments or a Beach Bat Set to spark team challenges.

Hydration heroes: reusable drinkware everyone loves

Reusable bottles cut down on single-use plastics and deliver daily brand impressions in gyms, cars, and home offices.

• Plant-forward materials: A modern take on everyday hydration, the Okiyo Kimi Wheat Straw Water Bottle blends stainless and wheat-straw accents for a natural aesthetic.
• Vacuum steel for serious chill: For blistering summer afternoons, the Kooshty Colossus Leakproof Vacuum Bottle (1L) keeps drinks cold for hours and looks premium on a boardroom table.
• Glass with protective sleeves: If your team prefers glass, the Kooshty Pura Glass Water Bottle (500ml) or larger Kooshty Kork Hands-Free Glass Bottle (850ml) deliver a clean sip and plenty of branding space.

Picnics & braais: elevate alfresco experiences

Outdoor entertaining is a national pastime. Thoughtful, reusable gear turns one event into hundreds of future brand touches.

• Picnic sets that feel premium: For client appreciation, choose a well-appointed kit like the 4-Person Picnic Backpack & Blanket—portable comfort, instant wow.
• Reusable cutlery: Swap disposables for a tidy, brandable set such as the Bamboo Cutlery Set with Cotton Pouch or the Eco Travel Cutlery Set for lunchrooms and road trips.
• Soft coolers for every crew size: From compact to family-sized, the 30-Can Cooler Bag keeps your branding on display all weekend.

Plan smarter: build themed kits by audience

Campaigns work best when the items fit the moment. Use these pre-built bundles as a starting point, then tailor colours and branding to your CI.

• Summer Field Team Kit: Twill Cap + Mini SPF 30 + UV400 Sunglasses.
• Beach Day Kit: Kokomo Microfibre Towel + Mangrove Flip Flops + Inflatable Beach Ball.
• Client Picnic Kit: 4-Person Picnic Backpack + Bamboo Cutlery Set + 1L Vacuum Bottle.

Branding tips to maximise impact

• Go subtle for premium feel: Small embroidered logos on caps and tonal prints on towels look elevated and photograph well.
• Keep colours cohesive: Limit palettes to two brand colours to streamline production and keep sets coordinated.
• Think lifecycle: Choose durable substrates (glass, steel, quality microfibre) to extend use and impressions.
• Add a story: A short card about your sustainability goals (and how this product supports them) increases perceived value.

Summer calendar ideas (so you stay top-of-mind)

Map key moments and match them with the right merch:

• January–February: Welcome-back packs for staff and best clients—hydration and SPF win.
• Heritage Day build-up: Braai-and-picnic bundles for community events.
• Regional activations: Coastal campaigns love towels and glass bottles; inland roadshows lean on caps and cooler bags.

Final word

Sustainable summer gifting isn’t about adding more stuff—it’s about selecting fewer, better items that people will keep using. From polarised sunglasses and clip-on SPF to glass bottles, quick-dry towels, and soft coolers, the right mix will carry your message from beach to braai all season long.

Ready to build your eco-forward summer kit?

Chat to the BrandsUp team and we’ll curate a set that fits your audience, timeline, and budget—complete with thoughtful branding and packaging. Let’s make this summer your most memorable (and sustainable) yet.