Sustainable Event Switches and Actions
By Bree Pagliuso|
Building an exhibition stand? Here are 10 sustainable switches to implement from the get-go that can help make a difference when designing your exhibition stand.
Collaborate for impact: Start by seeking out partners within the industry that also care about reducing waste. One effective strategy is to share booth space with another company to minimise materials and energy use.
Design with purpose: Avoid materials like MDF that cannot be recycled. Opt for reusable materials like bamboo flooring or recycled cardboard for your booth. After the event, donate or repurpose these items instead of disposing of them.
Go digital, go green: Replace printed marketing with digital. Not only does this reduce paper waste, but it also delivers a more interactive experience for your attendees.
Rent, don't buy: Instead of buying new furniture for each event, rent items like chairs and tables from local vendors. It's cost-effective and reduces the demand for new products.
Flex your flexibility: Invest in modular booth designs that can be easily reconfigured for different event layouts. This way, you can adapt to varying spaces without needing entirely new setups.
Educate and entertain: Set up interactive displays in your exhibition stand that showcase your sustainability efforts. Demonstrate how your company recycles materials or reduces water consumption.
Circular by design: Partner with suppliers who offer take-back programs for products like banners or signage so those items can be reused or recycled after the event instead of ending up in a landfill.
Light up responsibly: Use LED lighting for your booth to save energy. Additionally, consider using solar-powered lights for outdoor events to reduce your carbon footprint further.
Measure your Impact: Work with your event organiser to review electricity and waste disposal invoices and find ways to save energy for future events.
Lead the charge: Lead by example by publicly sharing your sustainability initiatives. Highlight your efforts on social media or in press releases to inspire others in your industry to follow suit.
From our carefully curated menus to innovative initiatives like swapping disposable coffee cups for reusable ones, partnering with us means actively supporting local communities and fighting food waste.
Check out our Sustainable Events Guide for more tips on sustainable switches for your event.
Did you know?
Our menus are designed with the planet in mind
Our carefully sourced food not only delights your taste buds but also reduces waste and supports our environment. Every bite you take is a step towards sustainability. By partnering with local producers, we extend our love for Victoria beyond the kitchen. When you choose to host your event with us, you're not just supporting us—you're also backing local businesses and building connections that go beyond the plate.
Last year, we swapped out disposable coffee cups
Did you know that we've made a significant change at catered events? We've swapped disposable coffee cups for returnable stainless-steel ones and introduced Cercle's Drop Pod collection system . With 45 drop pods now in place, we've prevented over 630,000 single-use cups annually!
We're proud to be the convention centre in Australia leading the charge with a permanent returnable cup solution, thanks to our partnership with Returnr and Cercle- a win-win for sustainability and innovation!
Your leftover event food goes to OzHarvest
Since 2014, we've partnered with OzHarvest , Australia's top food rescue organisation, so your leftover event food doesn't go to waste. Together, we redirect excess conference food, from bread to raw meats, to over 1,300 charities nationwide. By partnering with us, you're doing more than just hosting an event—you're actively supporting those in need and fighting food waste.
We're really proud of our coffee
Padre's commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability mirrors ours. They work closely with their green brokers to ensure high-quality products and fair prices for farmers. Like you, we take our coffee seriously and are thrilled about our partnership. Padre Coffee goes beyond coffee—they use their platform to address social and environmental issues. It's about creating meaningful change, not just crafting exceptional coffee for them.
Sharing is caring
Bright Sparqe connects surplus products to charities, cutting waste, and helping those in need. With our support, businesses can donate items in real time, making a direct impact.
MCEC's sustainability manager Sam Ferrier credits her operations colleagues who champions this effort, highlighting the importance of giving back, she says, "In an industry prone to waste, donating leftover items is our chance to make a meaningful difference to those who need it most. While we put efforts into avoiding generating the waste in the first place, donation pathways are a good secondary option”.
Looking for a venue that takes sustainability seriously ? Contact us today and experience the positive impact we can create for your next event.
