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Sustainability Program
Sustainability Program
Running an environmentally responsible event means....
We are constantly learning, developing and creating more ways to become a "planet-forward" trade show. Our main focuses are waste diversion, energy/carbon offsets, water, procurement/materials and travel.
Natural Products Expo West is working towards the elimination of single use plastics to better align with our show mission. We recognize the impact trade shows have on our planet, and as we take steps to do better, we ask that our attendees and exhibitors walk alongside us! In 2024, we introduced two new programs supporting these efforts.
Zero-Waste Sampling
This pilot program launched at Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace and aimed to reduce trash and related carbon emissions by replacing 10,000 single use paper and plastic cups with a reusable alternative. Through this program we were able to divert 137kg of carbon emissions, 680 lbs of trash and a staggering 5500 single-use sample cups diverted from landfills at Expo West 2024!
Thank you to our 2024 participating brands!
The Better Stands Program
Aims to unite and encourage exhibitors along with their contractors to move away from disposable, single use stands at events in favor of re-usable or recyclable structure. Learn more here.
HowGood Environmental Impact Estimate
HowGood’s Environmental Impact Estimates on Beacon Discovery play a key role in supporting environmental sustainability efforts at Expo West and beyond. By providing transparency in sustainability claims through its evidence-based database, HowGood environmental impact estimates, viewable on Beacon Discovery, help exhibitors showcase the positive environmental impact of their products. Each product uploaded to Beacon Discovery is eligible to receive an estimate, highlighting their commitment to eco-friendly practices. This level of insight encourages retailers to seek out environmentally conscious products, aligning with their own sustainability goals and promoting more responsible buying decisions at the show. To learn more about HowGood and its benefits, visit HowGood on Beacon Discovery.
Our Efforts
What the show is doing
- Back of house waste sort during the show to maximize waste diverted from the landfill and ensure materials are sent to the correct stream.
- Clearly labeled 3-bin front of house systems (recycle, compost, landfill) placed throughout the ACC.
- Designated cardboard drop-off areas throughout the exhibit hall to maximize the cardboard effectively collected and recycled.
- Collection of clings in zero waste pallets post show for recycling.
- GES offers in booth recycling and compost porter service for exhibitors through ESK.
- Eliminated foamcore signage and prohibit styrofoam from the show.
- Staff meals are served on reusable serviceware.
- Identified water refill stations throughout the convention center to allow for easy water bottle refill.
- Partnered with r.cup again to bring reusable cups to our networking events at the show. In 2024, we were able to save 3,300 single-use cups and 56 lbs of CO2 eliminated!
- Partnered with We.Use and several CPG brands at Fresh ideas Organic Marketplace to introduce a new pilot program - Zero-Waste Sampling where we be replaced single use paper/plastic cups with reusable sampling ware. In 2024, we diverted 137kg of carbon emissions, 680 lbs of trash and 5500 single-use cups from landfills.
- Introduced Better Stands, a program that helps exhibitors reduce the waste created by single use stands at events in favor for reusable materials.
- We are aiming to eliminate single-use plastics in the coming years!
What our sponsors are doing
Waste Diversion Sponsor
Thank you to Tetra Pak for sponsoring our waste diversion efforts at Natural Products Expo West 2024.
Death to Plastic Sponsor
We're proud to partner with Liquid Death on a Death to Plastic Sponsorship to replace the plastic waterbottles in our host hotels with canned water. In 2024, this partnership prevented the use of 21,217 plastic water bottles!
What our show is doing
- Tracking energy consumption at the convention center and hotels to offset the carbon impact through our partnership with AQ Green.
- No HVAC during move in/move out.
- Lighting levels are set to 50% during move in/move out.
- Energy and water consumption at the convention center and host hotels is tracked and offset by partnership with AQ Green and sponsors.
- We automatically offset all staff travel to/from the show.
- Encourage shipping/freight through SmartWay freight partners.
What our sponsors are doing
Thank you to our ACC Offsetting Sponsor Kellanova who is allowing us to offset the carbon consumption of the Annaheim Convention Center during Natural Products Expo West 2024.
Thank you to our ACC Offsetting Sponsor Kellanova who's support allows us to purchase water restoration certificates for all of the water used throughout the Annaheim Convention Center during Natural Products Expo West 2024.
In 2024, 4,526,000 gallons of water were restored to critically dewatered rivers and streams thanks to our ACC and Hotel Offsetting Sponsors!
What the show is doing
- Eliminated carpet in the exhibit hall. This removes this over 300,000 sq ft of carpet and padding from our waste stream.
- Styrofoam and foamcore have been banned and eliminated from Exhibitor Service Kit (ESK).
- Continue partnership with GES to procure more sustainable products including reusable and recyclable signage.
- The Show Directory Map is printed on FSC certified paper, which ensures products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.
- Show Mobile App will provide all attendees with all pertinent show information.
- Utilize digital kiosks instead of print signage throughout the convention center where possible. At previous shows, this allowed us to save 13,475 sq in of printed plexi.
- Digital signs used instead of cardboard in the Anaheim Marriott. At previous shows, this change allowed us to save 47,880 sq in of cardboard.
What our sponsors are doing
Show Bag Sponsor
Thank you to our sponsor Robinson Pharma for sponsoring the Natural Products Expo West 2024 show bags!
Lanyard Sponsor
Thank you to BioCell for sponsoring the Natural Products Expo West 2024 lanyards! Our lanyards are made of a post-consumer polyester waste called Repreve Polyester Fiber. This fiber is made of 100% recycled plastic water bottles.
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