Sustainability at SupplySide East
We know sustainability is increasingly important to our visitors and exhibitors, as well as to our community as a whole. Operating SupplySide East gives us many opportunities to improve our impacts environmentally, socially and economically in our host city. We understand that it’s not just about the way we produce our events, but recognizing that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve. Our team is driven to make our event more responsible and to also play a key role in helping our market improve its own sustainability.
Our Three Pillars
Environmental Impact
SupplySide East prioritizes venues and event setups that are carbon-neutral. When we plan SupplySide East we work with vendors and venues that focus on reducing our event’s carbon emissions and creating less waste.
Initiatives include:
- Carpet has been eliminated from all aisles in the Expo Hall saving an estimated 25,821 Sq.Ft. of material.
- SupplySide East is powered by 100% renewable electricity
- We will be donating some of the trees used to decorate the outdoor space of the Convention Center to the Town of Secaucus, who will replant them at Secaucus Middle School in honor of National Arbor Day.
- Badge Recycle bins are provided onsite.
- The Meadowlands Exposition Center is fully outfitted with LEDs. This creates renewable electricity via solar on their roof.
- Attendees are encouraged to bring their refillable water bottles to the show. Water stations will be available in the Meadowlands Lobby and throughout the Expo Hall.
- We will be using a more sustainable, compostable plate option for all Catered events.
- Lanyards are made from PET material, (a form of polyester) which is recycled material from plastic bottles and other plastic packaging
- The SupplySide East Expo Preview has gone digital saving 3,000 copies from being printed.
- Show Bags are manufactured from recycled pre-consumer cotton and RPET. Through a partnership with 1% For The Planet, one percent of the purchase of these bags will be donated to nonprofits dedicated to protecting the planet.
- Since SupplySide East 2024 will be a new show look, we will not be reusing the majority of our banners and graphics next year. Rather than having them end up in landfill, SupplySide is partnering with THROW, an organization whose purpose is to propel, up-cycle & repurpose. They will transform many of the banners through re-design into something beautiful and new again, like hip vinyl bags!
Social Impact
It's important to us that we keep accessibility, diversity and inclusion at the forefront when planning our event.
Initiatives include:
- A Mother’s Room will be available on the show floor for nursing parents
- An Education Theater on the show floor that is open to all attendees and does not require additional purchase. Sessions will be available for on-demand viewing at no charge for those who are unable to attend in-person.
- Networking Events all include non-alcoholic beverage options for inclusivity of the sober/sober-curious community.
- We have partnered with NSF Health Sciences to once again offer Virtual Training Courses focused on regulatory requirements and risk mitigation two weeks after the show.
Industry Impact
Education sessions at SupplySide East enable health and nutrition leaders to innovate and do business in a way that prioritizes both people and planet. We focus on environmental sustainability, empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses, and offer diverse and inclusive speakers.
Education sessions focusing on sustainability and diversity & inclusion in 2023 include:
- Solving the Supply Chain will address sustainability/ecofriendliness of botanicals.
- Formulating for Women: What’s Hot and What’s Not will include discussions about health concerns/formulation for women of color and gender non-conforming folks.
- Level Up Your Networking Skills is part of the “Identifying the Elephant in the Room” Sexism Seminar Series and is focused on becoming a more effective networker at conferences. The Six-Part Seminar Series from INICIVOX Brings Together Professionals To Address and Discuss Communications Challenges in the Natural Products Industry.
How can I get involved?
- Walking a trade show floor can be tiring, so make sure you rest your feet and your brain regularly by taking breaks throughout the day.
- Staying hydrated and having a healthy snack will improve your ability to get the most out of the event. Consider eating a healthy meat-free lunch as well; it’s good for you and for the planet.
- When talking to exhibiting companies remember to ask them about the sustainability credentials of their business and their products.
- Download the SupplySide East mobile app to navigate the show and connect with other attendees rather than exchanging business cards.
- Download the Show Directory: Fewer Show Directories are being printed and distributed onsite, so consider downloading the digital version instead.
- Reduce the brightness of your screen and remember to hibernate your computer when not in use to help reduce your energy usage.
- Don’t throw your lanyards and badges in the trash! Place them in one of the recycling bins at the end of the show.
Share Your Story
Would you like to work with us on the sustainability of our event? Would you like to share your own story and efforts?
Got an idea? Contact the event team or reach out to Informa’s sustainability team for more information: [email protected]
Informa's commitment and approach to sustainability:
FasterForward to Zero
FasterForward is SupplySide and Informa’s approach to sustainability, moving faster to become a zero waste and net zero carbon business. A series of activities and commitments carried out between 2020-2025 will ensure our events become ever more sustainable, delivering a truly positive impact to the markets we serve. We will also actively help our partners, customers and wider markets to achieve the same.
Our FasterForward commitments include:
- Become carbon neutral across our events by 2025
- Halve the waste generated through our events by 2025
- Become zero waste and net zero carbon by 2030 or earlier
- Embed sustainability inside 100% of our events by 2025
See the full list of commitments and find out more.
