Trade Shows & Travel Done Sustainably

In the post-pandemic world, in-person and virtual events are thriving, and gatherings have an environmental impact, no matter the format. Whether it’s a board meeting, a trade show, an educational or entertainment event, organizations need these gatherings to connect with stakeholders, educate about their products, or advance mission-related programming. So how can we be responsible environmental stewards while planning and attending events? The New Leaf Paper team carefully weaved sustainability into booth branding, planning, and travel logistics for an upcoming trade show. How did we do it? As part of our company’s mission for transparency and leading sustainability practices, we will share our secrets with you!

Booth Components:

• The carpet tiles used in our tradeshow booth are manufactued with recycled plastic bottles: 44% post-industrial, 11% post-consumer, 55% Total Recycled Content.

• Chairs selected are made from 100% post-consumer PET plastic bottles

• Booth display panels are made from biodegradable/recyclable FalconBoard®.

• Lighting is energy-efficient LED lighting which uses up to 75% less energy than incandescent lighting.

Branding Considerations:

• Sustainably made wooden name badges from a small business and opt to offset shipping.

• Business cards, collateral, and signage printed on New Leaf Paper products which contain 100% post-consumer recycled fiber and is produced in North America.

Giveaway Items:

• Plantable pencil handouts from Sprout which can be planted after you’ve used them to grow into herbs, flowers, vegetables, or spruce trees.

Packaging:

• Shipping crate made from wood certified by The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Shipping palette made from repurposed wood.

• Recycled, repurposed, and biodegradable materials used to protect trade show materials when shipping.

Employee Travel Logistics:

New Leaf Paper weighs the pros and cons of holding a meeting virtually to reduce CO2 emissions. If the decision is made that travel is necessary, it can be sustainable. Our employees are encouraged to pack light, bring travel drink containers, and opt out of hotel cleaning services.

Additionally, we encourage traveling in a shared car, taking public transportation, or alternative forms such as Lyft when meeting in person. Lyft is New Leaf Paper’s preferred rideshare program due to its sustainability efforts, including CO2-neutral goals and social issues which includes equal pay and voting access. Lyft also has a commitment to use 100% renewable energy to power all office spaces, driver hubs, and electronic vehicle miles.

At New Leaf Paper, we’re proud to weave sustainability into our business practices, not just our products. You can help save the planet while conducting business by exploring creative ways to be sustainable.*

*This article was adapted from the original written by New Leaf Paper President, Shannon Bone, for the B Corp Movement Month Climate Impact Playbook. Find the original and additional essays from other Certified B Corporation representatives with useful tips for reducing your environmental footprint in the B Corp Movement Month Climate Impact Playbook.