Eco-Friendly Awards & Trophies

It's nice to give an award or trophy, but it's especially nice to ensure the one you give is ethically made, and hasn't had too bad of an effect on the environment, especially if it's an award for something ecologically based.

Traditional Trophies

• Because trophies are designed to look good and be noticeable, they tend to be made from expensive, valuable or good-looking materials, such as gold, silver, stainless steel, polished wood, glass or crystal. While these are all natural substances, the processes by which they are made into trophies are not ecologically friendly, and using new materials, rather than reusing old ones, uses up the earth's valuable resources.

Alternatives

• A number of businesses offer a range of trophies that are made from recycled or sustainable materials like embossed glass or plastic, or driftwood. These trophies are not only eco-friendly but they look great, and can be surprisingly inexpensive.

More Unusual Materials

• Trophies can also be made from more unusual materials such as bamboo or coconut shell, which have the advantage of not only helping the environment, but also being a interesting object and talking point.