SwagCycle’s Success Signals a Turning Tide in Branded Merchandise Sustainability
The promotional products industry is undergoing a significant shift, driven by growing concerns about waste and a desire for greater social responsibility. Leading the charge is SwagCycle, founded by Ben Grossman of Grossman Marketing Group, which recently announced its most impactful year yet, facilitating nearly $9 million in charitable donations in 2025. This milestone, bringing its total charitable giving to over $12.6 million since 2019, underscores a growing trend: brands are increasingly prioritizing the responsible lifecycle management of their branded merchandise.
From Landfill Diversion to Circularity: The Evolution of Swag
For years, branded merchandise often ended up in landfills, representing a significant waste of resources and a negative environmental impact. SwagCycle’s core mission has been to divert these items, offering solutions for reuse, repurposing, and responsible recycling. Since its inception, the company has kept over 3.3 million branded items out of landfills. But the story doesn’t end with diversion.
The focus is shifting towards true circularity – keeping materials in use for as long as possible. SwagCycle’s recent work with a global professional services firm exemplifies this. Utilizing near-infrared scanning technology, they meticulously sorted branded merchandise by material composition, enabling fiber-to-fiber recycling. This process breaks down materials chemically or mechanically, creating new yarns and garments, effectively closing the loop.
The Rise of Charitable Partnerships and Impactful Donations
Beyond recycling, SwagCycle is forging strong partnerships with charitable organizations to maximize the positive impact of excess merchandise. A notable example is their collaboration with Delivering Great to support California wildlife relief, resulting in nearly $500,000 in donations. This initiative involved Counselor Top 40 distributor Kotis Design and demonstrates the power of industry-wide collaboration.
This trend aligns with a broader consumer demand for brands to demonstrate social responsibility. Companies are recognizing that supporting charitable causes not only benefits the community but also enhances their brand reputation and builds customer loyalty.
Industry Consolidation and the Opportunity for Sustainable Practices
Recent industry activity, such as S&S Activewear’s acquisition of alphabroder and subsequent distribution center consolidation, presents both challenges and opportunities for sustainable practices. SwagCycle collaborated with S&S Activewear on a large-scale donation following this consolidation, showcasing a proactive approach to managing excess inventory responsibly.
Such consolidations can generate significant volumes of excess merchandise, making responsible disposal and repurposing even more critical. Companies like SwagCycle are well-positioned to aid navigate these transitions and minimize environmental impact.
The Role of Technology and Innovation
The success of SwagCycle is underpinned by technological innovation. The use of near-infrared scanning for material sorting is a prime example. As technology continues to advance, You can expect to see even more sophisticated solutions for identifying, sorting, and processing branded merchandise for recycling and reuse.
data analytics will play an increasingly important role in tracking the lifecycle of branded products, enabling companies to make more informed decisions about design, production, and disposal.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Sustainable Swag?
Ben Grossman envisions continued growth and transformation within the promotional products industry. He believes that product stewardship – considering the entire lifecycle of a product from design to end-of-life – will become standard practice. This includes designing for durability, recyclability, and minimizing waste.
The industry is also likely to see increased adoption of sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and biodegradable alternatives. Transparency and traceability will become increasingly important, allowing consumers to make informed choices about the products they purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SwagCycle?
SwagCycle is a landfill diversion solution for excess branded merchandise, facilitating donations and recycling.
How much has SwagCycle donated to charity?
SwagCycle has facilitated over $12.6 million in charitable donations since 2019, with nearly $9 million donated in 2025 alone.
What types of recycling does SwagCycle offer?
SwagCycle utilizes advanced technologies like near-infrared scanning to enable fiber-to-fiber recycling, breaking down materials into their original components for reuse.
Is SwagCycle only for large companies?
While SwagCycle has worked with large corporations, their services are scalable and available to businesses of all sizes.
What is Promo for the Planet?
Promo for the Planet is a resource for news, trends, and ideas to help build a more sustainable and socially responsible promotional products industry.
Did you grasp? Ben Grossman, founder of SwagCycle, was named Counselor’s 2022 Bess Cohn Humanitarian of the Year.
Pro Tip: When planning your next promotional campaign, consider the end-of-life of your merchandise. Choose sustainable materials and partner with companies like SwagCycle to ensure responsible disposal.
Aim for to learn more about sustainable practices in the promotional products industry? Explore Promo for the Planet and join the conversation!
