by Pixel Kicks
Uncategorised
28th July, 2023
Pretty much everyone is looking for ways to make their businesses greener. It applies to the whole range of activities, such as heating and lighting offices, staffing, energy usage, transportation and waste. And that, of course, includes exhibitions.
Some businesses have exhibition and promotion sections that are working 12 months a year, travelling the world to educate and inform the world about their offering. That naturally comes with a carbon footprint.
Trying to reduce your environmental impact might be an ethical goal of your business. But there’s usually another happy side effect of going green, too – you tend to save money. Sure, there are some cheap and cheerful solutions that only make sense because their manufacturers pay scant attention to their own environmental impact. But generally, if you take steps towards sustainability, you tend to consume less and re-use more, and over time, that will save you money.
So, with that double incentive in mind, here are 12 ways to make your exhibition more sustainable.
This first point is perhaps the most impactful. When designing your exhibition stand, it is important to choose materials that are eco-friendly and sustainable. Here are some tips to help you select the right materials:
Recyclable materials: Look for materials that can be easily recycled at the end of their life cycle. Examples include cardboard, paper, aluminum, glass and certain types of plastics.
Biodegradable materials: Choose materials that are biodegradable, meaning they can break down naturally without causing harm to the environment. Examples include certain types of plastics, natural fibres like cotton or hemp, and biodegradable plastics made from cornstarch or other organic materials.
Sustainable sourcing: Opt for materials that come from sustainable sources, such as responsibly managed forests or renewable materials. Look for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) to ensure the wood used in your booth comes from sustainable sources.
Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) use: VOCs are harmful chemicals that can be emitted from certain materials, such as paints, adhesives and sealants. Choose low or zero VOC materials to minimise indoor air pollution and create a healthier environment.
Reusable materials: Consider using materials that can be easily disassembled and reused for future exhibitions. This reduces waste and lowers your overall environmental impact.
Energy-efficient materials: Look for materials that have high energy efficiency properties, such as insulation panels that help regulate temperature and reduce energy consumption.
Non-toxic materials: Avoid materials that contain harmful chemicals, such as lead or mercury. Choose non-toxic alternatives that are safer for both human health and the environment.
Organic or natural materials: Incorporate organic or natural materials like bamboo, cork or reclaimed wood into your exhibition stand. These materials are sustainable, renewable and add a natural aesthetic.
Durability: Select materials that are durable and long-lasting to reduce the need for frequent replacements or repairs. This helps to minimise waste and extends the life cycle of your exhibition stand.
Local sourcing: Whenever possible, source materials locally to reduce transportation emissions and support local businesses.
Transparent suppliers: Choose suppliers and manufacturers who have transparent and ethical practices. Make sure they adhere to sustainability standards and promote environmentally responsible manufacturing processes.
Do you end each exhibition with a few bags of waste? In all likelihood it will be a case of “out of sight, out of mind”, as the organisers deal with everyone’s trash. But the amount of waste that’s left behind when an exhibition leaves the arena can be quite telling. From disposable coffee cups to batteries, large exhibitions can generate rubbish by the skip load. So here’s one area that you really can make an impact.
Drink your coffee from flasks and mugs, use rechargeable batteries, and pledge to take home any trash you leave – that alone will make you think twice.
LED lighting has been completely mainstream for at least 15 years now, and its cost has plummeted in response. In all likelihood you’ll have naturally replaced most of your lighting applications with these wonderful bulbs, which use a fraction of the power and last for tens of thousands of hours.
However, you might still have some legacy usage of halogen and fluorescent bulbs in displays, light boxes and such like. It might be a pain to upgrade them, but it’s always worth considering – even if your exhibition electricity isn’t billed based on usage.
A single digital display will last you for years, and can be used for slideshows, animations and movies. Yes, it uses electricity and has its own carbon footprint. But compared to the production costs, transport and disposal of single-use paper or plastic banners, it might work out cheaper and less impactful if you change your displays regularly. If your banners are back-lit, the running costs might actually be in the ballpark of a digital display.
Why not have your own recycling bins, and invite guests to follow your example and put their recyclable waste into them? Not only does it have a direct positive effect, it also shows that you take sustainability seriously and are willing to put your money where your mouth is to achieve it.
Instead of handing out single-use items, offer sustainable giveaways such as reusable bags, bamboo pens or recycled paper notebooks. Look for suppliers who share your drive for eco-centric design, production and transportation, and reward them with your custom.
If you provide refreshments or snacks, opt for organic or fair-trade products to support sustainability and ethical practices. Again, it makes you look conscientious, but beyond that, has its own benefits on the environment and people’s livelihoods. You might even find that it has much more flavour and goodness than the brands you’re used to consuming, too. And that certainly helps.
Calculate the carbon emissions generated by your participation in the exhibition and invest in carbon offsetting initiatives. It’s a great way to show you’re serious about being green, and will also make you look a lot more closely at how you use energy in your exhibition efforts.
Putting every element of your exhibition spending under the microscope is never a bad thing. You will almost certainly uncover a host of parts where you could cut back on waste without impacting your message or the comfort of your staff.
Use eco-friendly transportation options for your exhibition setup, such as electric vehicles or public transport, where practicable. Electric vehicles are finally becoming more affordable, so if you need a fleet, it could be financially viable soon.
Of course, once you’ve actually got the vehicles, the running costs are much less than fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, so the savings start immediately. You can also consider hiring or leasing vehicles, which could also save you money in tax.
There could also be opportunities for sourcing equipment from closer to the exhibitions, so your stand has fewer road or air miles to travel. That’s often the case with snacks and drinks, but it might also work for printing, lighting, sound and even some staffing, too. While the core of your stand probably gets transported around the exhibition circuit, think about the kinds of savings you might be able to make by sourcing locally, especially if you’re transporting your equipment around the globe.
Clearly communicate your sustainability initiatives to visitors through signage and educational materials to inspire them to adopt similar practices. It’s a soft sell, but can have a positive effect both in the way you’re perceived and in any way that your actions convince others to change.
Partner with organisations or companies that have a focus on sustainability to showcase their products or services in your booth, creating a mutually beneficial partnership. Again, it shows that you’re taking steps to reduce your environmental impact, while giving a leg up to the organisations that are dedicated to it.
It’s a two-way thing, too, as these organisations will also get to talk to other businesses in your sector and their understanding about how your industry operates will grow. That can only be of mutual benefit.
Use interactive displays or workshops to educate visitors about sustainability and encourage them to adopt more sustainable practices in their own lives. Don’t get too preachy, though, especially if you’re a bit of a recent convert. People are often most receptive to having the benefits of going green pointed out to them, rather than having their faults pointed out.
At Focal, our job is to give you the best possible exhibition stands that have a lasting impact on your customers. If you look at our process, you’ll see it’s all about creativity and problem-solving, as no two exhibition stands are the same. So if you want to bake sustainability into your brief, we’ll be more than happy and able to fulfil it to the max (or should that be the min?).
If you want to find out more about how we can help your exhibitions meet your own sustainability goals, get in touch and we can start designing your greenest exhibition ever.
