Sustainable Exhibition Stand Design: A Lucrative Way To Save The Planet

We’ve all heard it before, but it’s worth saying again: A sustainable exhibition stand is the way forward at events for several reasons. Some of those reasons are obvious, others not so much.

Whether you have Corporate Social Initiative prerequisites to tick off or bottom lines to satisfy, going green with eco-friendly display stands is a no-brainer.

We’ve outlined the features and benefits of a genuinely sustainable exhibition stand and a few pointers from industry pros with a combined 50 years in the business (us). Partnering with a trusted UK exhibition stand builder ensures your sustainable stand not only meets eco-friendly goals but also excels in design and function.

Finally, we’ll briefly discuss the DON’Ts of exhibition stand designs. After all, knowing what not to do is a sure-fire way to start knowing what to do!

What Are The Standout Features Of A Genuinely Sustainable Exhibition Stand?

Commitment To Innovation And Offsetting Carbon Emissions

Identify exhibitors that constantly innovate their design process and find practical ways to offset their carbon emissions, making a more sustainable exhibition stand.

Suppose your priority is a long-term sustainable solution in the fight against deforestation. In that case, anybody with a sustainable exhibition stand will share those goals and likely be vocal and upfront about them, too.

Planting trees for every completed exhibition stand project is just one (pretty impressive) example of offsetting your exhibit’s environmental footprint.

Adding digital technology to your display is another tech-savvy way to be more sustainable by reducing your dependance on traditional printed signage. Just watch your electricity consumption!

Exhibition Stands Made From Reusable Materials

We aren’t talking cheap recycled paper or hemp products, but genuine quality materials that can be used repeatedly for an eco-friendly display.

Some of the main sustainable stand materials include:

• Recycled aluminium
• Cardboard
• FSC-certified wood
• Bamboo

When it comes to sustainability, no material is perfect. That’s why it’s essential to consider the environmental impact of each material before making a decision and one of the reasons why we provide all exhibitors a carbon offset for every event and business.

By carefully considering the sustainability of your materials, you can ensure that your exhibition or stand is as environmentally friendly as possible.

We’re proud to have built the first cardboard exhibition stand in the United States. Cardboard engineering provides a lightweight, recyclable alternative for display stands. The tradeoff is simple: sacrifice long-term durability for sustainability and short-term explosive impact.

A New Logistics Path

Eco-friendly display stands require specific modes of transport that don’t pollute the environment. Consider using electric vehicles and optimising travel routes as part of your show logistics plan to achieve this. Every bit counts, and you’ll be surprised how quickly all the carbon fumes add up when travelling.

Stand Materials That Are Easy To Break Down And Reconfigure

Modular stands are lightweight and built to be reconfigurable. They are cheaper and more sustainable than fully custom displays because:

• The equipment is reused for the next exhibition stand.
• Modular displays are easier to transport, set up, and disassemble.
• Transport carbon emissions are reduced because of how lightweight they are.
• Using recycled materials for graphics and upholstery each time adds to how environmentally friendly these displays are.

These are also known as “system exhibition stands,” and they are like Lego for adults. You can clip aluminium pieces together and create any shapes for your exhibition display.

A huge benefit of using aluminium is that it’s reusable and, therefore, sustainable.

What Are The Benefits Of Sustainable Displays?

Where do we begin? Having a sustainable stand ticks so many boxes:

• Stand out among the competition and their not-so-sustainable stands.
• Save vast amounts on the costs of materials.
• Less waste and carbon emissions.
• Eco-friendly practices across the board contribute to achieving your CSI goals.
• Reusable products mean that you have less planning to do.
• Get noticed by buyers who value sustainable initiatives.

Pro Pointers From Exhibition Industry Experts

If you’re attending a few exhibitions in quick succession, here are a few things you can do to offset your carbon footprint vastly:

• Advise your suppliers well ahead of time.
• Detail those suppliers in the supply chain to produce exhibition stands made of reusable materials.
• Provide your suppliers with a breakdown of your CSI and carbon offsetting goals and priorities at the project’s outset.
• Prescribe the building of modular structures for the stand design or eco-friendly exhibition.
• Encourage evergreen concepts within your design team.
• Tell your suppliers how many people will travel to and from an event.
• Use LED lighting at your exhibition stand as it’s more energy efficient.
• Use sustainable stand materials and eco-friendly products at your exhibition stand wherever possible in the construction phase. Some companies use Xanita board, an environmentally friendly material made from recyclable cardboard.
• Don’t forget about flooring! The floors in your exhibition space should also be made from recyclable material.
• Offer giveaways to visitors at your exhibition stand, but ensure they’re made of bamboo or something else that can be recycled.
• Go digital and remove all paper from your stand to save costs and be more sustainable, or use recycled materials.
• Prioritising people, the planet and the environment is the only long-term solution.

These pointers require just a little bit of strategic planning and forethought, and they can yield rich results for you and your company.

DON’Ts Of Sustainability

Just as crucial as the DOs are the DON’Ts.

• DON’T utilise single-use plastics. These are not environmentally friendly.
• DON’T print paper when you have digital alternatives available to you.
• DON’T transport exhibition stand elements in multiple vehicles that use petrol.
• DON’T employ any services or practices that waste energy. Think of all the elements.

How Are Venues Affected?

Top UK trade show venues are already taking the initiative and setting sustainability goals of their own. Once rare, event waste recycling is now a commonality across the United Kingdom.

An Eco-Friendly Display For Any Event

There’s no question that there has been an increased focus on sustainability and environmentally conscious efforts, extending to the exhibition and stand-building industry. It’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

Sustainable exhibition stand displays are becoming more critical as businesses and organisations strive to reduce their carbon footprint.

As a dedicated worldwide exhibition booth builder, we encourage you to check out our sustainable work in the UK, Americas, and Africa, which highlights our commitment to green practices in the environment.