There was a time in the past when exhibitions and trade shows used to present an ugly spectacle after they were over. Trash would be seen all over the place, and later collected to be dumped in the landfills.
This led to degradation of the environment.
Thanks to the climate change effects which in recent years have led to unpredictable weather patterns around the world, the exhibition industry like all industries has also realized the need for sustainability.
Going green at trade shows and adopting sustainable practices has become the norm.
Many exhibitors are now opting for exhibit strategies that espouse the cause of an exhibit made of eco-friendly materials, with sustainable design from exhibit firms that have green certification. They look to leave behind a favorable carbon footprint.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN YOUR EXHIBIT RENTAL
Going sustainable was once considered to be more of a fashion trend. But that perception has changed in recent years with the threat of climate change effects becoming a burning topic the world over.
Many thought that going green is difficult and worse still, expensive. But that is not true. In fact, it could be costly in the initial stage, but the returns will be many times over for years to come.
Here are some ways to incorporate sustainable practices into your exhibit strategy.
OPT FOR EXHIBIT RENTAL LOCALLY
Opting for exhibit locally from an exhibit company with a green certification is a smart way to sustainability. It will save you from the task of logistics and transportation that otherwise undertaken on own can result in emissions which can be harmful to the environment.
Besides, an exhibit made with eco-friendly materials can be reused many times for trade shows by different parties, before they are finally disbanded. Even after their lifespan comes to an end, they can be recycled rather than be thrown into landfills. Additionally, exhibit rental parts can be used again, which is what makes them an eco-friendly option for exhibitors.
When you opt for an exhibit, you can either rent an entire exhibit or rent only certain components that you require for an exhibit. This will help you to save money on transportation costs and at the same time, help reduce carbon footprint that transportation, especially long-distance ones can cause.
OPT FOR ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS
When you opt for an exhibit locally, opt for one that is made with durable, lightweight, eco-friendly materials like aluminum, fabric, etc. This will help you to save on money and bring down your logistical costs as well. Most importantly, it will help to reduce pollution that comes with its logistics and transportation. Besides, they will also last through multiple trade shows as well as multiple uses.
Additionally, opting for modular exhibit makes for a great sustainable choice as they are most suitable for lightweight, recyclable displays. They can be recycled. Recycling will help to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills. Besides, they will also help to promote recycling industry dedicated to making recycled components and also products with the same quality that otherwise is made from original components.
An exhibit rental can in the initial stage cost a little extra. But being sturdy, they can last long and be used for multiple trade shows. They need not have to be dumped into the landfills or trashed. This will help to save on money and time in the long run.
OPT FOR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
If you want to showcase your environment-friendly credentials, what better way can there be than with a sustainable design of your exhibit.
By sustainable design, it is not meant just inclusion of graphics or textures or colors that promote sustainability but also the inclusion of interesting features that sends across a robust message on sustainability to the viewers’.
OPT FOR ECO-FRIENDLY EXHIBIT ELEMENTS
Old-style lighting and flooring systems need to be jettisoned. They not only consume a lot of electricity and cause pollution but are extremely harmful to the environment.
To stay sustainable,
- Replace old-style lighting systems and other appliances with energy-efficient alternatives. Like for instance, LED lights or Spotlights or Backlighting, all of which are energy-efficient that consumes less power. Besides, they last for long while still maintaining a high level of performance. When buying them, look for the logo of an accredited agency with a green certification stamp on the product packaging. This will help you to select genuine ones that are truly environment-friendly.
- Go for eco-friendly flooring. Like for instance, carpet flooring made from recycled plastic bottles. They can be recycled after their lifespan comes to an end. Likewise, you can also opt for flooring products made with bamboo or sea grass or marmoleum.
REDUCE THE USE OF PRINTED MATERIALS
In the digital age, marketing techniques also needs to go digital.
The days of printed and distributed marketing materials like brochures, catalogues, etc, are long gone. They not only consumed a lot of paper and other co-related aspects like printing ink, etc; all of which were unfriendly to the environment that only ended-up as waste after few uses, but they also ended-up as waste only to be dumped into landfills.
Instead, today you can have visitors directed to your website or e-marketing collaterals like e-brochures, e-catalogues, etc, on the computer or a live-screen interactive display. They can be read with a scannable QR code. ELSE, a better way would be to mail the e-marketing collaterals to prospective customers’ email addresses.
Exhibitors that still continue with printed marketing materials can post them to interested prospects after the trade show is over, instead of handing them in-person at your exhibit booth enclosure. This will make for a smart move and help avoid indiscriminate dumping of such materials in and around the trade show location and later end-up in landfills.
In addition to the above, once your exhibit’s lifespan comes to an end, either
- Adopt sustainable practices to recycle your exhibit materials instead of sending them to the landfill. Like for instance, exhibit used for carpeting in a future trade show; or used as a display in your company’s office; OR
- Donate the exhibit materials to a local charity organization. This will ensure that the leftover materials are used in a sustainable way.
Aside from the above, you can opt for saving materials that can be reused again. Like for instance, packing and shipping materials made of cardboard or bubble wrap or foam padding. If saved, they can help the company save on costs and at the same time, also benefit the environment.
ALSO READ: How to determine a ballpark cost for your trade show exhibit to set a budget?
