Exhibitions generate a huge amount of waste. Working with our contractors, the venue and you, our exhibitors, we want to make sure that we are doing as much as possible to reduce our impact on the environment and limiting the waste we send to landfill.
- To attempt to offset our carbon footprint we have paid the Woodland Trust to plant 100 native UK trees, which in their lifetime will remove 25tonnes of CO2.
- We have switched from giving visitors plastic carrier bags to recyclable paper bags.
- We will continue to provide all exhibitors with free tea and coffee from our organisers’ office. And are delighted to tell you that we now only offer fully recyclable cups. We will only use recyclable spoons and stirrers in the PATS organisers office.
- We provide water dispensers and water points with recyclable paper cones, or you can bring your own reusable water bottle.
- The venue now has bins that separate waste categories.
- Visitor and exhibitor badge holders (and lanyards) are made from plastic – we can avoid dumping these by encouraging everyone to hand them back as they exit PATS – we will then use them again. Simply use the recycling dump bin located by the show exits.
- Exhibitors – we urge you to remove and recycle your own packaging. Take a look at the NEC's Environmental Policy Statement
- Shell scheme and electrics - of course all of the electrical equipment is re-used, as is the shell scheme.
- Carpet -
Showlite has signed the “Net Zero Carbon Events” pledge, and is committed to reducing the overall carbon footprint of events. As part of this pledge, we are continually improving methods and products and are pleased to announce that we have attained Tier 4 ESSA Member Sustainability Accreditation.
In line with this commitment, we have introduced Rewind Carpet as a more sustainable option for shell scheme stands and gangways. Here’s why;
Green Production Process (compared to traditional event carpet):
- 55% Less CO2
- 85% Less Energy
- 100% Less Water
- 100% Less Latex
- 100% Recyclable into a Mono-Recyclate
This list is certainly not exhaustive, and we appreciate that there is a lot more we can and need to do. We will strive to do so at every venue we stage an event.