BRING THE


ENVIRONMENT WITH YOU


Stephen Ashkin, president of Sustainability Dashboard Tools,


Inc., discusses the importance of reducing waste at and around tradeshows.


With more than 800 exhibitors, ISSA/ INTERCLEAN Amsterdam 2018 is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors for the three day event in May 2018. While having this many people attend the show is undoubtedly excellent news for ISSA and the industry, it’s not such good news for the environment. And this is true of all trade shows held around the world.


It is estimated that each year, 60 million people worldwide attend a consumer or industry tradeshow. One of the significant problems with tradeshows is the amount of waste they generate. It is estimated they create more than one billion pounds of waste annually. In fact, it is believed that each attendee generates about 20lbs of garbage while attending. Most of this is paper and plastic products tossed into trashcans.


Along with this enormous amount of waste, these 60 million visitors also use a lot of electricity, energy, fuel, and water. And our eating and drinking habits at tradeshows sometimes get a little out of hand, which typically translates into even more waste.


However, there are things we can do about this. As the professional cleaning industry is on its way to becoming one of the greenest and most sustainability-focused industries around the globe, we should lead the way. It’s up to us to show other industries how to reduce the environmental impact of tradeshows as well as promote sustainability.


HOW TO AFFECT CHANGE: Energy: When leaving your hotel room, turn off or at least turn down the thermostat. There is no need to heat or cool the room (and waste energy)


www.tomorrowscleaning.com


while you’re at the convention. Also, don’t forget to turn off the lights, TV, radio and other electronic devices. Fortunately, most of the major hotels in Amsterdam have a hotel room ‘key card wall slot’. Removing the key turns off most of the electronics. This is an excellent energy-saving technology that should be in all hotels around the world.


Water: Consider taking a refillable, insulated bottle, which saves water, materials/packaging, and money. Plus, it can keep the water cooler, longer. And be conscious about water-use during showering, brushing teeth, shaving, etc.


Bedding: We all know the drill; only change hotel towels and bed linens as needed. Most hotels suggest waiting three days before asking that sheets be changed.


Support Housekeepers: Include a tip and a note thanking them for keeping your room clean and healthy. Start this from the very first day. Housekeepers tend to be underpaid and underappreciated in many parts of the world.


Food: One of the most significant environmental impacts involves the food choices we make. Eat greens, which have a lower environmental footprint compared to meat, plus they are healthier for you. Always remember unnecessary consumption tends to be bad for the planet as well as your waistline.


Transportation: We are fortunate that Amsterdam has such excellent public transit. But this is more the exception than the rule around the world. If it’s available, take public transportation. Most tradeshows also offer shuttle buses to and from the convention, saving fuel.


“It’s up to us to show other industries how to reduce the


environmental impact of tradeshows as well as promote sustainability.”


Technology: Minimize the number of brochures you take from the exhibitors by asking them to email the information to you, reducing waste and saving a lot of trees.


Finally, remember what I mentioned earlier. It is our job as an industry to show others how they too can promote sustainability and protect the environment. If you see opportunities where, for instance, your hotel could be more energy efficient, reduce or recycle waste, use less water, etc., tell them.


Look at it this way, not only are you helping to protect the environment, but by making these suggestions, you're likely going to be saving them some money as well. In other words, you did them a favour.


www.ashkingroup.com SUSTAINABILITY SUPPLEMENT | 13


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