Statistics reveal around 530 metric tons of CO₂ is generated by a 1,000 attendees’ in-person event. Exhibiting at exhibitions and trade shows can create significant environmental issues.
So much that many businesses plan for more sustainable stalls. 92 percent of them affirm their commitment when exhibiting sustainability.
Like all industries at events, the pharmaceutical industry is no exception. Pharma stalls play a prime role. They showcase products, educate the audience, and, above all, provide the setting to network with industry professionals. The carbon footprint of these structures can be considerable.
The materials used in their stall construction, the energy consumed during the exhibition event, and the disposal of stall components after the event have been a cause for environmental concern. Hence, there is greater focus today on the integration of sustainability into their stall designs.
KEY ELEMENTS OF SUSTAINABLE PHARMA STALL DESIGN
Pharmaceutical stall design and construction involves varied components.
These components ensure functionality with a professional appearance. Each of the components provides an opportunity for sustainability.
Pharma companies, by rethinking these elements, can minimize their environmental footprint. At the same time, realize their marketing goals.
ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS
Selection of materials is a significant decision.
Materials like laminates, plastic, PVC, and other non-biodegradable substances are damaging for the environment. They contribute to pollution and waste.
Instead, a sustainable approach will help. They involve the use of renewable, recyclable, or biodegradable materials that should be given priority.
Like for instance,
- BAMBOO: Highly sustainable material that’s a better alternative to metal or wood.- Combines strength with flexibility, making it suitable for stall structures and interactive elements.
– Sourced sustainably. Besides, it maintains a rapid growth rate. This makes it suitable for stall construction and helps reduce carbon footprint. - RECYCLED AND UPCYCLED MATERIALS: Materials like reclaimed wood, metal, plastic, etc. They offer meaningful benefits.- Can be repurposed to create innovative and stylish stall designs.
– Help reduce waste. This way it conserves resources and minimizes the environmental impact of manufacturing new materials. - CORK: Another sustainable material with long-standing benefits.- Is lightweight, renewable, and biodegradable. This makes it a more eco-friendly option than synthetic alternatives.
– Can be used for flooring, furniture, and wall panels. - FABRIC AND TEXTILES: Many pharma stalls often feature large banners or backdrops. They are typically made of vinyl or other non-recyclable fabrics, which can cause issues. Instead, adopting eco-friendly alternatives like textile options would help to reduce carbon footprint. Options like hemp, organic cotton, or polyester made from recycled plastics. All are eco-friendly. They also offer for stall decoration long-lasting solutions.
- SUSTAINABLE TIMBER: Sustainably sourced timber for interactive elements is a good option for interactive elements like shelves, display units, and counters. Wood that is FSC-certified will play a key role. It ensures the materials come from forests. Forests that are managed with environmental and social criteria in mind and responsibly harvested.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING AND POWER USE
Traditional lighting systems are not eco-friendly. They are not conducive to a friendly environment. Incandescent bulbs, for instance, consume a lot of energy. They contribute to environmental damage.
Eco-friendly alternatives, in contrast, promote eco-friendly settings. Modern energy-efficient lighting solutions like LED bulbs, etc., significantly reduce a stall’s energy consumption.
- LED LIGHTING: Termed among the most energy-efficient lighting options. They consume when compared to traditional bulbs 80 percent less energy. At the same time, they have a much longer lifespan and need fewer replacements. They also generate less waste and less heat, thus reducing the need for air-conditioning during exhibition events.
- SOLAR POWER: Makes a significant difference in reducing energy consumption even when incorporated into stall designs on a small scale. Better still, they can power stall lighting, digital displays, and other related electrical components. Thus, they contribute to a more sustainable, self-sufficient setup.
- MOTION-SENSOR LIGHTING: Suitable for larger stalls with multiple sections. They ensure lights are switched on only when required. They help to save on energy. At the same time, lower the stall’s overall environmental impact.
MODULAR AND REUSABLE DESIGN
Many companies, including pharmaceutical companies, opt for custom-built stalls. However, this can cause environmental issues. They are used only once before being discarded. Frequent disposal of stall materials is a great source of waste. They especially gather pace after the conclusion of each exhibition event.
To reduce waste and curb environmental pollution, stall design using modular, reusable components is the way to go. These materials can be repurposed for future exhibition events. This reduces the need for the use of new materials and minimizes waste.
- MODULAR STALLS: Designed with interchangeable parts that can be reassembled easily in varied configurations. This makes them flexible and adaptable as and when required. The components can be used across multiple exhibition shows. This will reduce the need for constant new stall construction. Additionally, modular stalls are also easy to transport and store. This makes them a more efficient, eco-friendly option.
- REUSABLE GRAPHICS: In pharmaceutical stalls, large printed graphics and banners are common. But they lead to discarded waste after the event. Instead, sustainable stalls using fabric graphics, digital displays, or modular systems facilitate reuse of visual materials.
- LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION: Designed with lightweight materials, modular stalls become easier to transport and assemble. This will significantly minimize the carbon footprint generally associated with shipping and handling.
WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING
Waste causes enormous environmental impact. Exhibition events are known to generate considerable waste.
With careful planning and consideration, however, it can be significantly minimized. Eco-friendly pharma stall designs focus on waste reduction through smart strategies for recycling and reuse of materials.
- WASTE SEPARATION STATIONS: Setting up clearly labeled recycling stations within the stall helps to manage waste. They encourage stall staff as well as exhibition visitors to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner. This will ensure materials like plastic, paper, and metal are sorted properly and then recycled.
- DIGITAL CONTENT OVER PRINT: Printed materials like brochures, catalogs, etc., distributed in large numbers among visitors can lead to waste. Instead, opting for digital content is more sustainable. The printed materials can be shared through mobile apps, USB drives, or QR codes. They help to drastically cut down on the use of paper while offering visitors a more convenient way to access information on the go. All of these without causing wastage.
- SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING: Distribution of pharma samples or products is critical at events. Packaging materials should be eco-friendly if the process is to be environment-friendly. The use of recyclable or biodegradable packaging materials helps. They reduce the amount of waste generated during the exhibition event.
ECO-CONSCIOUS TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
Transportation of stall materials to and from exhibition event venues often causes considerable environmental impact. They need to be reduced.
Adopting eco-friendly transportation methods will help to bring down the carbon footprint. They cut down carbon emissions, thereby ensuring the logistics of the exhibition show are eco-friendly and cost-effective.
- CARBON NEUTRAL SHIPPING: To promote eco-friendly exhibition events, pharmaceutical companies should partner with logistics providers. Providers who provide carbon-neutral shipping options. These providers invest in renewable energy projects or carbon offset initiatives. They help to significantly offset carbon emissions generally associated with dense transportation.
- LOCAL SOURCING: Materials, if sourced locally wherever possible, will help to reduce the transportation-driven carbon footprint. Local sourcing needs to be pursued to not just reduce transportation’s environmental footprint and costs but also to support regional economies and assist local business growth.
ROLE OF DESIGNERS IN ECO-FRIENDLY STALL DESIGN & BUILT
Stall designers play a vital role in contributing to eco-friendly events.
They design stalls and give them an aesthetic appeal. As a key player, they also ensure eco-friendly principles are well-integrated throughout the stall design and construction process.
Additionally, they
- Consult with clients to learn about their sustainability goals and what they are looking to achieve. While doing so, they offer better eco-friendly alternatives.
- Select materials that are environment-friendly. They ensure the materials are recyclable, biodegradable, and renewable.
- Prioritize modular and reusable design concepts. Concepts that help to reduce waste and promote eco-friendly setting.
- Incorporate energy-efficient lighting and digital solutions with focus on minimizing use of energy.
- Encourage the use of eco-friendly shipping and logistics practices and technologies.
The overall approach is to create pharmaceutical stalls aligned with customer’s values and target-audience. At the same time, they drive to promote a healthier and eco-friendly planet.
Sustainability in pharmaceutical stall designs is no more a luxury fad. It has become a necessity driven by the compulsions of a world that is facing critical climate-change issues. Additionally, consumers and partners are increasingly giving priority to sustainability.
By staying conscious of environmental issues the planet faces, pharmaceutical companies can play their due role in reducing the environmental impact of their exhibition stalls. They also enhance company’s reputation as a responsible corporate entity contributing to a more sustainable future.
