Events like exhibitions are among the major contributors to the global carbon footprint. From the materials that are used in exhibition stall design to the energy consumed in running stalls; the impact of stalls on the environment is significant.
According to a recent report, a single exhibition incurs a carbon footprint of ten tones. Now, imagine how much of the carbon footprint will get generated, when you take into account the total number of exhibitions around the world that take place in a year.Â
The stats can be staggering.
No wonder, the need of the hour is sustainable exhibition stall design; and the use of Eco-Systems Sustainable stalls, and Eco-Smart Sustainable Displays
exhibition stand designers need to work to designing sustainable stalls to improve ecological impacts and promote stall sustainability.Â
DESIGNING SUSTAINABLE STALLS
With consumers becoming increasingly conscious about the impact of climate change on the environment, more and more companies are prioritizing sustainability in the creation process of eco-systems sustainable stalls through the usage of sustainable materials and incorporation of green technology like energy-efficient lighting and renewable energy sources; and looking to designing sustainable stalls.
Well, that is a laudable move. In fact, reports reveal that around 33 percent of the consumers are more likely to buy from a brand if they believe it is vigorously pursuing a policy of sustainability.
When designing sustainable stalls, you should ensure that it makes a positive environmental footprint at the exhibition show.
1. BUILD IT WITH ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS
There can be no sustainable stalls without the use of sustainable materials. It is crucial to reduce the environmental impact of stalls.
By using biodegradable or recycled materials, you can create healthy eco-systems sustainable stalls; and reduce the amount of waste generated. A good example of this would be bamboo or paper-based materials or recycled plastics in the construction of stalls. They will help to significantly reduce the environmental impact of your stall.
For a sustainable stall, enlist the expertise of skilled exhibition stall designers.Â
You will stand to benefit fromÂ
- Design of modular or reusable stalls. Both of which involve the use of materials that can be easily disassembled or reused in future stalls. And once they have outlived their utility value, they can be recycled comfortably.
- Sustainable stalls that uses recycled materials and adheres to environment-friendly practices. The use of recycled materials helps to decrease the amount of waste going into landfills and create a new industry committed to manufacturing recycled raw materials and products with the identical look, feel, and quality of products manufactured from virgin raw materials.
- Use of materials that can be repurposed or recycled easily. This way, you will be able to avoid the use of materials like adhesives, foam, and sheet rock which only end-up eventually in landfills.
By exploring new ways, exhibition stand designers can discover new ways to reduce their carbon footprint and stay committed to designing sustainable stalls that are not just sustainable but are also visually enticing.
This way, you canÂ
- Opt for light-weight designs. This will help to reduce carbon emissions as well as shipping transportation costs.
- Avoid the use of designs that otherwise result in waste. You can get an stall design that is built to standard sizes with less emphasis on curves.Â
2. USE OF ECO-SMART SUSTAINABLE DISPLAYS
At exhibitions, technology systems are playing a great role behind the scenes.Â
With greater focus on sustainability, stallors are now looking for eco-friendly technologies that can help to reduce significant energy consumption.
Like,
DIGITAL DISPLAYS
When large, wall-filling projections are involved, digital displays tend to consume significant energy. However, designing sustainable stallspace around these elements can help to save energy. Besides, displays don’t need to be as bright as they normally are when they are hosted in a dark space.Â
Today, there are many displays that are created with LED lights. A better alternative to this would be OLED (Organic LED) materials as they are naturally bioluminescent. Â
REUSED GRAPHICS
They are a cost-effective option that makes sense as they can be reused multiple times at different exhibitions.
Apart from providing tremendous cost-savings, they also help to reduce the need to consume materials that otherwise are required when creating new graphics every time.Â
GREEN FLOORING SOLUTIONS
There are plenty of green flooring solutions that are well-supplemented by a wide selection of sustainable flooring products, to cater to your flooring requirements at the exhibition.
Some of the materials that can be availed for use for floors include bamboo, cork, sea-grass, sisal, and wood, all of which make for attractive and economical choices.
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM (ECOWALLS)
Made of ‘Cardboard PLUS’, construction system better known as Ecowalls, is an efficient and simple distribution system, light, eco-eco-friendly and versatile, that is designed for exhibitions and trade shows. It allows stallors to create stands or product corners or photo calls or other support types for events like exhibitions.
The ecowalls receive a protective treatment which makes the walls more fireproof than walls built under established standards; and are 100 percent printable to guarantee attractive graphics at stalls; and are reusable.
Above all, they are available at competitive prices. This will help the stallors to enjoy the benefit of cost-saving in assembly, disassembly, and distribution; and the fact that they are reusable.
THE GREEN ECO WALL
Also termed as the ‘Living Wall’, the green eco-wall involves the use of an innovative hydroponic design that allows plants to grow in a nutrient solution.
They help to create efficient living architecture with many ecological benefits. Besides, the use of plants will help to improve the quality of air. Additionally, it will serve as an eye-catcher that will bring your exhibition booth come to life.
GREEN PRINTING
Marketing materials like brochures, flyers, posters, banners, etc, are common at exhibitions.
They end up as waste with most of the visitors discarding them after leafing through them. As a result, the waste will eventually land up in landfills thereby contributing to environmental pollution.
Instead of using marketing materials made with traditional paper, marketing materials made of recycled paper, soy and vegetable-based inks supplemented by state-of-the-art equipment would be a better and healthier alternative. They help to minimize to a considerable extent waste during the printing process.
3. USE ECO-FRIENDLY LIGHTING SYSTEMS
Generally, stalls consume a considerable amount of energy. As a result, this will have an impact on the environment.Â
To reduce the excess use of energy, exhibition stall designers can play their role by incorporating energy-efficient lighting and use renewable energy sources. Like for instance, they can useÂ
- LED lighting which consumes considerably less amount of energy compared to traditional lighting. Among the most energy-efficient sources, they last 15 times longer than incandescent light sources. Additionally, they also can be controlled and dimmed for object needs; and generate negligible heat. ELSE, use eco-friendly sources like solar panels to power the stalls
- Natural light to the maximum. Like for instance, designing sustainable stalls with skylights or windows; they help to reduce the need for artificial lighting as well as energy consumption.Â
- Sensors and Timers. They help to activate lights only when the visitors are present in the stall space.Â
There are several other sources of light in stalls like Digital Projections and LED Screens in varying sizes. They emit ambient light from sources other than light bulbs that is sufficient to light an entire space; and reduce the need for more illumination. Likewise, LED Screens emit enough lights for the visitors to enjoy the stall space without the need for traditional ceiling or wall-mounted lights.
They also help to balance positive user-experience with energy efficiency.
In addition to the above steps, exhibition stall designers can also resort to augmenting lighting in specific areas of the stall that necessitate visitor attention. This way, they can divert the attention from dimmer areas; and help to conserve energy and create a more vibrant atmosphere at the stall. Â
4. USE OF SUSTAINABLE GIVEAWAYS
Giveaways, better known as freebies, are much sought-after at exhibition shows. They are a great way to entice people to your exhibition stall. Besides, they help to keep your brand fixed in their mind.
However, they also tend to generate a lot of waste and what more; a lot of freebies go wasteful.
The traditional freebies have become outdated in today’s age when people are increasingly becoming eco-conscious. A better alternative is sustainable giveaways.
Some good examples of sustainable giveaways include:
- Eco-friendly Branded Water Bottle. Made of sustainable materials, it will make the visitors less reliant on buying bottled water. Besides, it also helps to align your brand with an eco-friendly message.
- Reusable Coffee Cups. A great alternative to single-use coffee cup which only ends-up in the landfills. Reusable Coffee Cups will also help to keep the busy corporate individuals sane.
- Reusable Storage Bags. A great alternative to disposable, plastic-zip bags, they help to cut down on single-use plastic bags. Besides, they offer a wide range of functions, like carrying snacks, storing food in the fridge, etc.
- Seeds. A great environment-friendly giveaway when given in a packet sporting the company logo that will work well as a marketing weapon. Besides, seeds make the longest impact on the environment.
- Shopper Bag. Also called as Tote Bag, it is great for your brand as it sports your logo; and the environment as well. Besides, it is a useful item with a visual reach.
5. GO PAPERLESS
Technology has made it possible to digitize your exhibition literature and visitor data. For instance, digital content using data capture and QR codes, has come to replace the traditional leaflets’
WILL MY ECO-FRIENDLY stall LOOK ‘GREEN’?
Yes, it can if you can reduce waste to the bare minimum.
stalls are known to generate a lot of waste. From discarded materials to packaging and more, a lot of waste gets generated at exhibition shows.Â
To reduce waste, exhibition stall designers canÂ
- Design stalls that are recyclable or reusable. Materials like aluminum or cardboard that can be easily recycled can be used to make stalls.
- Reduce the amount of packaging used in stalls. Using eco-friendly packaging materials like recycled paper or biodegradable plastics will help to reduce waste considerably.
- Encourage the visitors to recycle their waste by throwing away their waste in recycle bins provided throughout the stall space.
Aside from the above, exhibition stall designers can also recycle their exhibition materials at the end of the exhibition show. Most exhibition venues provide facilities for stallors to recycle as much as possible. This can be used by exhibition stand designers to recycle their materials and prevent the accumulation of waste.
CONCLUSION
If as an stallor, you are smart and creative, you can initiate big changes and help to decrease the negative effects that exhibitions are generally known to have on the environment.
Showcasing an eco-friendly stall design and designing sustainable stalls will go a long way to show your clients that you are a responsible brand conscious about your role in reducing carbon footprint and caring about the environment.
FAQs
1. Is it true that more often a product is reused; the better it will be for the environment?
Yes, it is true. There are endless design and reconfiguration possibilities with the same products without having to buy new materials. For instance, a reusable product when used once per month over a period of 10 years will help to make the footprint per use very low.
2. How to redistribute materials?
When the existing materials are no longer of sufficient quality to be used again, see if they can be recycled or used in other applications. This will help to cut down on carbon footprint and keep it as low as possible.
3. When a product reaches its end-of—life cycle, what should be done?
It should be recycled. When buying a product, check to see to what extent the product is already made out of recycled materials and to what extent it can be fully recycled again. Take for instance, aluminum; if you are using frames made of aluminum, they can be recycled without a loss of quality.
4. Has introducing sustainability into the exhibition stall design process become far easier today?
Yes, it has, thanks to the availability and decreasing costs of toxin-free, recycled, and renewable products. Ultimately, exhibition stand designers can make the most impact by questioning and rethinking their design process. This will help to better reduce energy consumption, and repurpose components and materials.
