Helping the planet, one event at a time

The exhibition industry has been known to adversely impact the environment due to the many operations that surround this sector. From single-use plastics for refreshments, to excessive printing of marketing materials, it has been found that in the UK alone, more than 60,000 tonnes of waste are produced each year as a result of exhibition events*.

In order to combat this daunting figure, it is vital that decisions regarding the environmental status of an event are made during the early planning stages of an exhibition. Making small changes such as creating a digital alternative to paper brochures, and reusing elements of your event solution can all contribute to creating a greener future for the industry.

Showplace Ltd is proud to uphold high standards regarding sustainability in order to maintain eco-friendly practices throughout the planning of an event, from initial idea development to final project delivery.

Our recycling initiative:

Flooring at exhibition events is synonymous with waste generation, with millions of square metres of flooring materials being sent straight to land fills each year. The complexities surrounding unique plot sizes and extensive cleaning processes make flooring textiles one of the most difficult materials for brands to reuse and recycle effectively.

Our recycling initiative concentrates on tackling this issue by forming a circular economy through recycling flooring after an event. All single-use flooring provided by Showplace will be passed onto our partners, Tarkett and Sommer Flooring Ltd , and will be recycled at their specialist centres, creating a diversion from land fills.

Tarkett:

Tarkett, founded in 1880, is a market leader within the flooring industry. The company possesses an extensive product portfolio ranging from carpet and vinyl to laminate and rubber. Their esteemed 140-year history has allowed them to expand on a global scale with 9 recycling centres and 23 research and development laboratories across the world.

Sommer Event Flooring:

Sommer Event Flooring is Europe's leading manufacturer of textile floor coverings for events. Based in the north of France, the company ensures that all of their products are designed and manufactured using eco-friendly practices through limiting the use of virgin raw materials. After use, Sommer Event Flooring transport the carpet to their facilities where it goes through a grinding process to form granules. These are then passed onto plastic industries to create new products, contributing to a sustainable supply chain.

These recycling programmes are already having a hugely positive impact on the planet:

• Over 109,000 tonnes of flooring have been collected and recycled through the programme, spanning Europe, Brazil and North America.
• 9.8kg of CO? is saved for each m2 of flooring that is recycled.

Sustainable materials:

As well as flooring, it is important to consider the other materials that are used when constructing an event solution. Incorporating natural substances, such as bamboo and reclaimed wood, not only offer a unique look to your project, but also reduce your environmental impact.

Showplace's modular stand systems and event structure apparatus are comprised of a variety of sustainable materials and we are committed to expanding this selection in the future.

Reusable graphics:

In order to bring an event solution to life, we utilise printed and branded tension fabric graphics that can be reused for multiple occasions. Each graphic is compiled of polyester which has the potential to be recycled into various products, from polyester yarn to pieces of furniture, giving a new life to the material after its initial use in the exhibition industry.

Aluminium frames:

The structure of Showplace's exhibition stands consists of aluminium frames. This material is not only light-weight and long lasting, but also possesses reusable and recyclable properties.

To find out more about our sustainable event solutions and how we can help with your next project, please call 01789 262701 or email [email protected] to help create a greener future for the exhibition industry, one event at a time.

*The environmental impacts of expositions - A study of some contributing factors - Shen 2012