| The environment, global warming, overflowing | | | | to a greener planet. Go for the green with |
| land-fills, sky rocketing energy prices; these words | | | | giveaways - avoid items that come in plastic |
| have become part of our everyday language. As | | | | packaging (unless biodegradable) or plastic items |
| have earth friendly solutions, recycling, | | | | (unless recycled). Instead choose re-useable items |
| sustainability & corporate or social | | | | such as pens, mugs or cotton tote bags. |
| responsibility. | | | | 5. Eco-accessorize - don't forget about flooring, |
| Today's market place is going green. It's all around | | | | racks and other accessories. Bamboo flooring and |
| us - green initiatives are on everyone's mind; am I | | | | literature racks promote sustainability too. |
| doing enough, could I be doing more? Consumers | | | | 6. Energy efficient lighting - LED lighting reduces |
| are starting to pay attention to earth friendly | | | | energy use by up to 90% over conventional |
| companies, and businesses that want to make a | | | | sources. Incandescent bulbs are inefficient and |
| difference in the world are choosing to go for the | | | | emit only 10% of the energy they use as light - |
| green. | | | | the rest is given off as heat. |
| Whether your interest in the environment is | | | | 7. Detoxify - Chemicals, sealants, vinyl and paints |
| purely from social responsibility or if increased | | | | all have a direct negative impact on the |
| pressure in the market place is driving your | | | | environment. Oil and latex-based paints are toxic |
| decision - or a little bit of both, adopting green | | | | to the environment, evaporate into the air and |
| practices can only enhance your companies brand | | | | contribute to global warming. Look for non-VOC |
| image. Going green gives you something to talk | | | | paints, stains and PVC-free carpeting, |
| about and puts you ahead of the competition. | | | | water-based or low-VOC padding and adhesives. |
| 10 Tips for going green: | | | | 8. Lighten Up - modular and portable exhibits tend |
| | | | to be lighter than custom displays. When shipping |
| 1. Building a booth or looking for banner stands? | | | | think about using lighter materials and less |
| Use earth friendly materials such as bamboo. | | | | packaging materials. Buy locally to further reduce |
| Bamboo is a renewable agro-forestry product and | | | | shipping and delivery. |
| the fastest growing plant on the planet. It is a | | | | 9. Refurbish - give your old exhibit new life with |
| viable replacement for wood and metal as it has a | | | | earth friendly materials such as cotton graphics. |
| rapid maturity cycle of 3-4 years and it provides | | | | Using exhibits that can be easily changed rather |
| a critical component in the balance of oxygen and | | | | than replaced will mean less consumption of |
| carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. | | | | materials over time. Keep your exhibit in good |
| 2. Determine longevity - for long term exhibits | | | | repair and replace broken or damaged parts. |
| pick materials that will not weather or degrade | | | | 10. Use suppliers that not only offer green options |
| quickly. For short-term displays use materials that | | | | but also operate with environmentally conscious |
| are easy to recycle or reuse. | | | | conditions such as waste reduction programs and |
| 3. Use recycled material - increase the | | | | recycling in-place. Be sure to ask your supplier for |
| sustainability of your exhibit by using as much | | | | more advice on how you can create an earth |
| recycled, reclaimed or rapidly renewable material | | | | friendly display for your next exhibit. |
| as possible. The process of recycling aluminum | | | | Going green doesn't have to cost a lot of money. |
| takes about much less energy than it does to | | | | There are many more options available today and |
| create new aluminum form ore. When you are | | | | the list keeps growing. Green, recycled and earth |
| finished with your exhibit recycle it - make sure it | | | | friendly materials can cost less than their |
| doesn't end up in a landfill. | | | | non-recycled counterparts. Research your options |
| 4. Print Green - make up banner and signs with | | | | and know that every little bit counts - from using |
| water-based inks on cotton fabric or | | | | recycled paper to printing biodegradable banners - |
| bio-degradable plastics. Biodegradable laminates, | | | | you can be rest assured you are making a |
| water based adhesives, recycled paper for | | | | positive contribution toward greening the planet. |
| brochures and promotional materials all contribute | | | | |