This year, at NPE2024: The Plastics Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL organizers collaborated to create a new baseline for sustainable practices. As Patrick Krieger, Vice President, Sustainability at Plastics Industry Association noted, “I think that the first thing to think about when you’re talking about a trade show is ‘how does the show itself reflect what the broader industry is representing as their values and priorities?’”

Implementing sustainable practices on this scale at the largest trade show in the Americas for the global plastics industry is tough. Especially considering it only happens every three years and demands dedication and commitment from all stakeholders. Not to mention the difficulty to find recycling solutions for mixed plastics.

So how did they make this happen?

Focus on Planning

NPE began planning logistics for sustainability practices and recycling programs 2.5 years before the show date. This long-term approach allowed for both a thorough evaluation of what needed to be done, and also time to connect with exhibitors and learn more about their specific recycling needs.

Success relied on a multi-pronged partnership between NPE, its exhibitors, Freeman, and the venue, with each bringing key resources and expertise. We assisted with logistics, storage solutions, and bringing in other supportive vendors. Then a dedicated recycling council emerged to monitor progress, assess needs, and plan next steps. It included NPE and those processing recycled materials onsite (Commercial Plastics Recycling, Inc., Conair, and WEIMA).

One way NPE is unique is how exhibitors and sponsors operate live equipment to manufacture products in real time on the show floor. NPE organizers asked them to complete a mandatory form so the team could tailor recycling services in advance. Some booths waited until the end of each show day to release materials for recycling, while others required pickups every hour. Ultimately, 516,160 lbs of material was removed and recycled from exhibitor booths – an approximately 30% increase from the previous show.

Key Takeaway: Make sure all of your partners and vendors are on the same team/page when it comes to your sustainability efforts. Making sustainability happen is a team effort that works best when you have total participation and buy-in from the top down.

Focus on Results

NPE organizers creatively addressed the “how-to” question of sustainable best practices by literally offering examples for attendees throughout the event. Here are some highlights:

• NPE Beer Garden: The beer garden featured recyclable plastic cups for all beverages served there, which were also produced on site.
• Recycling Center: Two recycling areas featured the latest equipment for repurposing plastics, allowing for process demos while servicing the event.
• Sustainability Hub: This interactive showcase followed the environmental journey of plastics and showed how the plastics industry is enhancing its sustainable footprint.

Key Takeaway: Creatively infusing recycling programs and themes across the event journey  shows attendees, partners, and exhibitors that you’re prioritizing sustainable practices. This approach propelled NPE to achieve its goal of creating a 100% diversion rate, keeping almost 300 tons of plastics, cardboard, and aluminum out of landfills.

Focus on the Future

The example set by the NPE2024 team serves as a beacon to inspire other organizations across industries. This event’s success set new standards, but there’s still much work to be done to build best practices for live events. Moving forward, organizers have learned that even more communication with exhibitors can increase participation in on-site sustainability actions.

Key Takeaway: By thinking ahead, investing in creative solutions, and addressing on-site challenges directly, live events can reduce their environmental impacts to promote lasting, global change — regardless of the industry.