More and more organisations are striving to minimise their impact on the environment, and if you look at the exhibition market, you will see that there is a lot of room for improvement here. In the world of trade shows and events, stand construction is essential for creating an attractive and effective presentation of your company. Unfortunately, traditional stand construction, where many materials are used only once and then end up in the dumpster, leads to a significant burden on the environment. Fortunately, good strides have been made within the industry and (only recently!) most trade fair venues and exhibition organisers have established standards that their exhibitors’ stands must meet. These standards force the industry to think about every aspect of creating stands and choose the most environmentally-friendly solution. By consciously using reusable and recyclable materials, stand builders can offer a more sustainable solution.
Reusable and Modular Constructions
An important step towards sustainability in stand building is the use of modular constructions. This system consists of sturdy, reusable frames made of, for example, aluminium in various shapes and sizes. Modular systems are designed to be built and dismantled repeatedly, allowing the base of a stand to be reused many times. This reduces the need for new raw materials and reduces waste.
In addition to reusability, modular systems offer flexibility. By adding only a few customised elements, each stand can be tailored to the exhibitor’s specific needs and requirements. This makes it possible to create several unique stands for different exhibitions using the same basic construction.
Recyclable Materials for temporary use:
Almost every stand contains elements that are only needed for one trade fair, such as specific communications. Wise then to choose recyclable materials. Biodegradable materials are ideally suited for temporary elements and decoration. It is also possible to use sustainably reusable parts. This prevents these parts from being thrown away after an exhibition and is in line with the circular idea.
By consciously choosing recyclable materials, you contribute to a structural and significant reduction of the waste generated at trade fairs. In an industry where many materials are typically used for short periods, this approach makes a big difference to the carbon footprint of trade shows.
Circular Thinking and logistics sustainability:
Circular thinking is a key principle within sustainable stand construction. It focuses on extending the lifespan of materials allowing for reuse. The aim should be to minimise waste at all stages of the construction process. This means not only reusing basic elements, but also making conscious choices for small parts and details. Every aspect of a stand, if designed with sustainability in mind, can contribute to a circular economy.
The logistics process also plays a role in sustainability. By smart planning, compact packaging and limiting the number of transport movements, you can reduce the emissions associated with the delivery and disposal of exhibition materials. Efficient logistics not only reduce CO2 emissions, but can also be cost-saving.
Extra suitable for Exhibitors who go to trade fairs more often during the year:
Many trade fair locations nowadays set sustainability standards for their exhibitors. By using reusable structures and recyclable materials, exhibitors can meet these requirements. This is particularly valuable for companies that regularly participate in trade shows. By designing parts of stands sustainably and well-reusable, you can reuse them again and again. In addition to cost savings, the ecological footprint is also reduced by avoiding excessive material production. An additional advantage is that a more or less similar presentation ensures a recognisable and consistent appearance and branding at the events this exhibitor participates in.
Expospaces’ sustainable approach: 30 years in our DNA
With a modular, reusable design and conscious material choices, Expospaces offers exhibitors the opportunity to responsibly make an impact at trade shows and events. With almost 30 years of experience in sustainable stand building and a focus on circularity, Expospaces makes it possible to combine ecological responsibility with customisation and appearance.
Would you like to know more about sustainable stand building and our approach? Then contact our specialists or read more about sustainable stand construction.
