Is Zero Waste Really Attainable at Trade Shows?

August 15, 2015

Shane Shirley

Shane Shirley is CMO for SBS Brands, a 90-year-old global brand leader focused on creating digital and print business solutions that offers traditional and eco-friendly customized promotional products to accelerate trade show marketing.

The idea of going zero waste at a trade show is a pretty interesting notion and can be an intense undertaking. A recent study by Statista found that 18 percent of U.S. exhibiting companies felt it was possible to exhibit at a trade show while maintaining a goal of zero waste. It’s disheartening to see this number is so low, and unfortunately this low number means most people are not attaining a zero waste exhibition experience. With some careful thought and planning it is possible to go zero waste at a trade show. Here are 5 ways you can work to reach this goal.

1.     Recycle Everything - Paper, glass and metal are relatively easy materials to recycle, but you can also recycle fabric, wood, electronics and more. It may take research and legwork to recycle some of the trickier items, so be prepared to do some Internet research and consider partnering up with a local recycling organization to help you dispose of everything possible in an eco way.

2.     Only Use Materials that Can Be Recycled - Before purchasing furniture, signage, takeaways or anything for your booth, consider how you will dispose of it when it has fulfilled its usefulness. If it can be reused, composted or recycled go ahead and make the purchase. If not, look for an alternative material that can be disposed of in an eco fashion.

3.     Reuse Items - Purchase framing and furnishings with the plan to use it again for future trade shows. If you can use the same items for several shows you’ll save money and help the planet. Although, eventually you will need to switch things up either to stay current or because items have worn out - read on to learn what to do next.

4.     Sell or Donate Items When You’re Done with Them - Just because you no longer need an item does not mean it should be destined for the recycling center. Consider selling leftover furniture, flooring and electronics to find a new home for materials you just don’t need anymore. You can hold a sale in the office for your staff, put things up for sale online or donate items to local shelters, or charitable organizations. If the condition of the items is not acceptable for sale or donation then you’ll have to recycle them.

5.     Measure Your Company’s Environmental Impact - Take a good hard look at everything aspect of your trade show planning and how this impacts the planet. By identifying the areas where you are succeeding and areas where there is still work to be done you’ll be able to create a plan that is tailored to your business and the unique conditions presented by the trade shows you attend.

Going zero waste is not easy, but with planning and some creative problem solving skills you can get pretty darn close to implementing a zero waste plan. These are just 5 ways you can work to attain a zero waste trade show experience. Let us know if you have ideas or suggestions for other ways to reach this goal.

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact