Go For the Green! – Tips for Earth Friendly Exhibiting
by: Kira Turner
The environment, global warming, overflowing land-fills, sky rocketing
energy prices; these words have become part of our everyday language.
As have earth friendly solutions, recycling, sustainability &
corporate or social responsibility.
Today’s market place is going green. It’s all
around us – green initiatives are on everyone’s
mind; am I doing enough, could I be doing more? Consumers are starting
to pay attention to earth friendly companies, and businesses that want
to make a difference in the world are choosing to go for the green.
Whether your interest in the environment is purely from social
responsibility or if increased pressure in the market place is driving
your decision – or a little bit of both, adopting green
practices can only enhance your companies brand image. Going green
gives you something to talk about and puts you ahead of the competition.
10 Tips for going green:
1. Building a booth or looking for banner stands? Use earth friendly
materials such as bamboo. Bamboo is a renewable agro-forestry product
and the fastest growing plant on the planet. It is a viable replacement
for wood and metal as it has a rapid maturity cycle of 3-4 years and it
provides a critical component in the balance of oxygen and carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere.
2. Determine longevity – for long term exhibits pick
materials that will not weather or degrade quickly. For short-term
displays use materials that are easy to recycle or reuse.
3. Use recycled material – increase the sustainability of
your exhibit by using as much recycled, reclaimed or rapidly renewable
material as possible. The process of recycling aluminum takes about
much less energy than it does to create new aluminum form ore. When you
are finished with your exhibit recycle it – make sure it
doesn’t end up in a landfill.
4. Print Green – make up banner and signs with water-based
inks on cotton fabric or bio-degradable plastics. Biodegradable
laminates, water based adhesives, recycled paper for brochures and
promotional materials all contribute to a greener planet. Go for the
green with giveaways – avoid items that come in plastic
packaging (unless biodegradable) or plastic items (unless recycled).
Instead choose re-useable items such as pens, mugs or cotton tote bags.
5. Eco-accessorize – don’t forget about flooring,
racks and other accessories. Bamboo flooring and literature racks
promote sustainability too.
6. Energy efficient lighting - LED lighting reduces energy use by up to
90% over conventional sources. Incandescent bulbs are inefficient and
emit only 10% of the energy they use as light – the rest is
given off as heat.
7. Detoxify – Chemicals, sealants, vinyl and paints all have
a direct negative impact on the environment. Oil and latex-based paints
are toxic to the environment, evaporate into the air and contribute to
global warming. Look for non-VOC paints, stains and PVC-free carpeting,
water-based or low-VOC padding and adhesives.
8. Lighten Up – modular and portable exhibits tend to be
lighter than custom displays. When shipping think about using lighter
materials and less packaging materials. Buy locally to further reduce
shipping and delivery.
9. Refurbish – give your old exhibit new life with earth
friendly materials such as cotton graphics. Using exhibits that can be
easily changed rather than replaced will mean less consumption of
materials over time. Keep your exhibit in good repair and replace
broken or damaged parts.
10. Use suppliers that not only offer green options but also operate
with environmentally conscious conditions such as waste reduction
programs and recycling in-place. Be sure to ask your supplier for more
advice on how you can create an earth friendly display for your next
exhibit.
Going green doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. There are
many more options available today and the list keeps growing. Green,
recycled and earth friendly materials can cost less than their
non-recycled counterparts. Research your options and know that every
little bit counts – from using recycled paper to printing
biodegradable banners – you can be rest assured you are
making a positive contribution toward greening the planet.
About The Author
Kira Turner is a marketing manager at Lumichrom an Exhibit, Display and
Graphics Company with over 25 years experience with designing &
printing trade show booth and banner stand graphics. Visit us for more
information www.lumichrom.com