In advance of the next IMEX trade show — taking place May 22-24, 2012, in Frankfurt — the IMEX Group has released a progress report on the exhibition's sustainability initiatives, focusing on its waste reduction efforts.
According to event organizers, a campaign to reduce overall waste output from the IMEX in Frankfurt trade show has seen waste levels reduce significantly over the past three years, during which time the total amount of waste generated fell 28 percent from 167 tons in 2009 to 121 tons in 2011.
Specifically, the show has reduced:
• Paper waste: Paper comprises a large percentage of the material that is recycled at each show, according to the IMEX Group, which said paper this year accounted for 33 tons of all recycled material, up from 7 tons in 2009. Show organizers said all paper is recycled into newspapers and used locally to produce the daily Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung (FAZ). Waste cardboard, meanwhile, is used to produce cardboard boxes, with a large proportion being used by a local manufacturer to make shoeboxes.
• Residual waste: Other residual waste, which includes plastics that cannot be recycled, is incinerated to create energy that powers the local community. This residual waste output has been reduced from 23 tons in 2009 to 14 tons in 2011, according to the IMEX Group, which pointed out that catering suppliers at IMEX in Frankfurt do not use plastic cutlery or disposable plates, instead using crockery and metal cutlery that is washed and reused.
• Food waste: IMEX organizers said they also pay careful attention to minimizing food waste. For instance, unopened, leftover food is distributed to local homeless networks and hospitals, while any opened and packaged food is composted locally.
• Wood waste: The amount of wood waste has also decreased significantly from almost 5 tons to less than 1 ton, according to the IMEX Group. This is mainly the result of IMEX encouraging the reuse of delivery pallets rather than the disposal of them.
"The IMEX Group's pledge is to be as sustainable as possible and this doesn't just apply to our trade show days but to our office infrastructure and consumption habits all year round," said IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom. "Not only have we successfully reduced the amount of waste we generate by 46 tons since 2009, but of that waste a higher quantity than ever is now being recycled. IMEX is committed to educating the meeting, incentive travel and events industry about sustainability issues so it is important that we also live these principles ourselves. Our intention both in Frankfurt, and also now in Las Vegas, is to develop productive, long-term relationships with suppliers, exhibitors and visitors that support our sustainability efforts, which we consider a keystone in our strategy as a progressive organization."