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The goal is to make recycling for exhibitors, speakers, presenters, and participants
a positive experience and not to be so restrictive or make recycling so difficult that exhibitors
are discouraged from participating in the event. It is also important emphasize reducing waste, reducing the need.
Some Considerations
- Use as many local presenters as possible, promoting local resources and businesses
- Inform your speakers that you are making the event as sustainable as possible
and email them your environmental policy. You may consider putting it in writing.
(sample contract) Clearly relaying your intentions will assist with
your objectives.
- Exhibit components are reusable and, if practical, made from used or recycled
materials. Exhibit packaging is reusable (e.g., pallets, wrappings), and/or recyclable.
- Reusable dry markers, erasable boards or blackboards, overheads, computer
projectors and slides are used instead of paper flip charts. (If paper flip charts must be
provided, they should be made of recyclable newsprint, with recycled content.)
Give-a-ways
- Let exhibitors know in advance the expected number of attendees to help
them plan for an appropriate number of handouts/give-a-ways to bring. Discourage
exhibitors from bringing large quantities of collateral to the show, which often
ends up in the trash because they don’t want to ship it back at the conclusion of
the show. Encourage exhibitors to bring small quantities and then mail materials
to clients from their offices after the show or refer clients to their website.
- Ask exhibitors not to over-package give-a-ways. Set up a collection for any
“useful” give-a-ways that would normally be thrown away and donate them to local shelters
or schools. Ask exhibitors in advance what kind of give-a-ways they may be donating so
arrangements can be made for them. (Have a form requesting this information in the
Decorator Kit).
- Ask exhibitors that give-a-ways be reusable items or items made from recycled
materials.
give-a-ways || promotional ||
packing materials || recycling
conclusion of event ||
recognition || miscellaneous
Exhibitor Promotional Materials
- Give exhibitors the green policies for promotional materials and ask
that they adhere to them.
- Ask exhibitors to post their information online to limit brochure and
paper distribution.
- Request that all printed materials be 100% recycled and made with soy
ink.
- Suggest exhibitors avoid printing dates and slogans on exhibit materials
so that they may be easily reused.
give-a-ways || promotional ||
packing materials || recycling
conclusion of event ||
recognition || miscellaneous
Packing Materials
- Ask exhibitors to save and reuse the boxes they sent to the event so
that they can repack with them.
- Ask exhibitors to minimize trash by reusing packing materials.
give-a-ways || promotional ||
packing materials || recycling
conclusion of event ||
recognition || miscellaneous
Close of Exposition
- Work with the decorator on placement of large bins so that they will not be
in the way during move-out.
- Develop a “check-out” system reminding exhibitors to recycle any materials
not being sent back or letting volunteers know that any materials left can be recycled.
This system can also be used to provide customer service for exhibitors and can also include
collecting exhibitor evaluation forms
- click here for more from
evaluation of an event
give-a-ways || promotional ||
packing materials || recycling
conclusion of event ||
recognition || miscellaneous
Recognition of “Green” Exhibitors
- Develop criteria to recognize “green” exhibitors.
- Send to criteria to exhibitors in advance.
- Give exhibitors a check list onsite for self-evaluation of recycling efforts.
- Recognize exhibitors who meet a required level of the criteria in post-event
materials and at the following year’s event (special notation on their booth signage or
other signage that they can display at their booth).
- click here for more from
evaluation of an event
- click here for more for
educational opportunities of an event
give-a-ways || promotional ||
packing materials || recycling
conclusion of event ||
recognition || miscellaneous
References:
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If you have any questions on the recycling program at Michigan Tech: