Rethinking sustainable advertising media: Cork, bamboo and wheat straw

Advertising materials have to do more than just look good. With sustainable materials such as wheat straw, cork or bamboo, brand messages can be realised effectively and responsibly.

FLYERALARM
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Sustainable action does not always begin with major innovations, but often with conscious decisions in everyday life. And the choice of material also plays a decisive role in advertising materials. Today, environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic open up a wide range of opportunities to take responsibility and, at the same time, convey effective brand messages. In this blog article, we introduce you to renewable raw materials that represent a sustainable alternative to traditional materials such as plastic or paper.

Wheat straw - an innovative alternative to plastic

In the mid-2010s, wheat straw was discovered as a basis for bioplastics. The agricultural residue can be processed into an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastic with comparatively little effort. As lower temperatures are required during manufacture, production is particularly energy and resource efficient.

The material properties of plastic made from wheat straw are also impressive: it is lightweight, unbreakable, durable and does not contain any harmful plasticisers. It is therefore in no way inferior to conventional plastics made from crude oil.

This development was made possible by years of interdisciplinary research by molecular biologists, bioarchitects and polymer scientists. The processing of various biomasses and the further development of the extrusion process have resulted in new bio-based plastics with a wide range of applications - from industry and construction to sustainable advertising materials. Today, there are numerous products made of plastic with wheat straw content that are ideal for environmentally aware brand presentation.

Advertising material made from wheat straw in the FLYERALARM webshop:

Wheat straw ballpoint pen

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Cork - a natural material with added value

A material mix with cork is often used for advertising materials made of plastic containing wheat straw. The natural material complements the properties of wheat straw ideally: cork is biodegradable, easily recyclable, and provides heat and sound insulation. It is also flexible, durable and pleasantly light.

Further advantages of cork:

  • Soft and light
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Water-repellent
  • Renewable
  • Vegan

How is cork made?

Cork is obtained from the bark of the cork oak without the tree having to be felled. The bark is peeled about every nine years and grows back completely. Cork oaks can live for up to 200 years and produce several hundred kilograms of cork over their lifetime.

Thanks to their robustness and resistance to drought, cork oaks are particularly resilient. At the same time, cork oak forests promote biodiversity, as they provide an important habitat for numerous plant and animal species.

After harvesting, the cork bark is aired, steamed and boiled to remove harmful substances. It is then dried, cut to size and glued in layers. This produces cork sheets that are prepared for further processing. In the case of promotional items, these are cut to size and applied to the respective products.

Cork advertising materials in the FLYERALARM webshop:

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Sustainable promotional items made from bamboo

Is bamboo sustainable? In short: yes. Bamboo grows up to 25 centimetres per day and - depending on the species - is fully grown after just a few weeks. In contrast to traditional forests, bamboo stands can be harvested without jeopardising the overall population. If a stalk is cut off, a new one simply grows back. Bamboo is not a tree, but a sweet grass.

Even more fascinating facts about bamboo:

  • Bamboo plants bind up to four times as much CO2 as other tree species
  • Bamboo plants are extremely resilient and require neither pesticides nor fertilisers
  • Bamboo plants form widely branched, underground root systems - this prevents soil erosion
  • Bamboo products are recyclable
  • Bamboo is grown primarily in Asia, but now also in Africa


The environmental impact of bamboo cultivation is comparatively low. This makes bamboo an excellent alternative to plastic or conventional wood. In addition to furniture and interior design, the material is also increasingly being used in sustainable advertising materials.


Bamboo promotional items in the FLYERALARM webshop:

Bamboo cosmetic  mirror

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Stainless  steel travel mug

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Reusable  travel cutlery

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Conclusion: sustainable advertising materials work

You don't have to make any compromises when choosing the right advertising material. Sustainable promotional items are affordable and available in a wide variety. Whether plastic with wheat straw, which is similar in look and feel to conventional plastic, renewable cork, or fast-growing bamboo - the choice depends entirely on your aesthetic requirements. Set a visible sign of responsibility and make conscious decisions in favour of sustainable promotional products.

Would you like to discover more sustainable products? In our webshop at flyeralarm.ch you will find a large selection of environmentally conscious advertising materials.

Your layout in professional hands

Would you like to design sustainable advertising products, but are unsure about the layout or print data? Our layout team can support you in the design of advertising materials from the FLYERALARM webshop. Whether checking your print data, providing clear feedback, or making any necessary corrections - our experts will help you realise your sustainable promotional items professionally.

Request layout service here

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