Sustainability is on the rise across different industries, and the events sector is no different. The UK’s event industry is known for its sustainability issues. However, there is an increase in event planners trying to implement more sustainable solutions, as attendees demand more greener practices. 73% of exhibitors and 71% of visitors believe it’s important that trade shows have a strong commitment to sustainability, and the industry is certainly evolving to suit those needs.
The sustainability regulations put into place by event organisers definitely impacts businesses that plan to exhibit. Businesses should make sure their display stands are as green as possible before exhibiting at live events!
We’re sharing 5 ways you can make your display stand more sustainable, consider these when planning your next event.
When choosing the materials for your event display, it’s key to look at the entire lifecycle of your stand, as the environmental impact stretches beyond the day of the exhibition. Your choice of material should consider the recyclability of your stand, as well as its capability on the day of the exhibition!
One material that is a complete game-changer? Xanita board. Strong, durable, versatile and even lightweight. Nothing is off the table with Xanita board. It’s a lightweight fibreboard, with a repulpable inner section made from recycled paper fibres, for extra strength. It can be easily recycled, stored away for reuse, and weighs 75% less than MDF – allowing for a reduced carbon footprint during transportation.
Our team of skilled cardboard engineers can craft any concept, shape or size. We created an impressive exhibition stand for our own exhibit at Event Sustainability Live. Featuring an eye-catching showcase wall, with LED lighting, the entire stand was constructed from Xanita board. It included a TV canopy, sitting area and a carefully carved portrait of David Attenborough. As sustainability enthusiasts, we measured the carbon footprint of this stand understand the impact of this stand. Including travel, materials and logistics, this stand created a total of 439kgCO2e, whereas the same stand created from traditional materials, such as MDF emits a total of 1,258kgCO2e! This is an impressive reduction of 65%.
Another strong contender is SWEDBOARD® Fibre, which is used to construct showstopping event displays. It’s incredibly strong, load-bearing and lightweight, making it an excellent choice! SWEDBOARD® Fibre FR is also an ideal choice when a fire classification is requested, it obtains a Euroclass B level which is the highest possible for combustible materials.
Reusability is the best way to implement sustainability. With the events sector producing 100,000 tonnes of waste that goes to landfill in one year, implementing a reusable stand minimises the impact of constructing a new one each year, including the energy used to recycle/dispose of it. A reusable event display is also more cost effective, easy to install, and allows for easier planning, as you’ll understand how your stand fits into the logistics of each different event.
Imageco have created the ultimate reusable solution: the ExhiBox. Reusable, sustainable, and customisable – the ExhiBox is Imageco’s very own innovation. Constructed from Xanita board, it is lightweight yet robust, and slots together with no adhesive needed. ExhiBox can be constructed to fit any scale and tailored to meet every need.
Reusability is a breeze for ExhiBox, as our expert team can craft bespoke, interchangeable panels, with a high-quality designs, printed to suit each of your events. The panelling can be interchanged, as they sit upon the Xanita board frame with the graphics attached with magnets. Switching the panelling allows for maximum reusability from your ExhiBox and elongates its lifespan.
Got a stand designed to light up the room? Think energy efficiency. Choosing efficient light sources is an excellent way to implement sustainability into your event display.
LED lighting is a highly efficient choice, using at least 75% less energy than traditional light bulbs. They’re designed to last 5x longer than fluorescent lamps, allowing for plenty of reusability for your exhibition stand!
They also do not contain toxic chemicals and can be recycled, ensuring your stand has a reduced impact when it reaches the end of its lifespan. What a BRIGHT idea!
Giveaways can be an excellent way to stand out from competitors. Giving visitors a tangible reminder of your brand, can ensure that you are remembered after the event. However, it’s essential to choose sustainable suppliers, as well as considering the lifecycle of a product when choosing them. For example, rather than giving away branded bookmarks – consider bookmarks. They have many sustainable benefits such as: they are non-toxic, practical, use less energy in production and often made from post-consumer waste. They’re a fantastic choice, as they don’t simply end up as waste, and have a green afterlife once used!
Sustainable giveaways also make a great talking point and is an impactful way to convey your brand’s passion and ethos of sustainability.
Working with a supplier who are truly passionate about sustainability means we’re able to offer you excellent advice at each step of the process.
Imageco is committed to reducing our impact on the environment, and this includes our client projects. Aside from having an extensive sustainable product portfolio, we can offer our clients complete transparency into their projects carbon footprint. Our latest technological introduction allows us to pull a carbon footprint for every project, incorporating the manufacturing, the materials, and the logistics.
We hope you implement these sustainability tips into your 2025 event display. If you’re a business sharing our passion for sustainability, discuss your next exhibition stand with us today.
