Running an Environmentally Friendly Event means...
We are constantly learning, developing and creating more ways to become a "planet-forward" trade show. Our main focuses are waste diversion, energy/carbon offsets, water, procurement/materials and travel. Click the + signs below to learn more.
What's New in 2023!
Natural Products Expo is working towards the elimination of single use plastics to better align with our show mission. We recognize the impact the trade shows have on our planet, and as we take steps to do better, we ask that our attendees and exhibitors walk alongside us!
In an effort to reduce single use plastic, we partnered with r.Cup to bring reusable cups to various Expo West events! The continued reuse of these cups allowed us to avoid tons of single-use, disposable waste. At the Expo West 2023 show we were able to save 2,627 single-use cups and 164 lbs of CO2 eliminated!
Here’s how it works and the final results:
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And check out the new show bags that were debuted at Expo West 2023! Our partner ChicoBag, a Climate Neutral, 1% for the Planet and B Corp certified company made our show bags and at Expo West 2023, we handed out 25,000 bags, all made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
Special thank you to Robinson Pharma, Inc. for being our Show Bag sponsor in 2023!
What the show is doing...
- Back of house waste sort during the show to maximize waste diverted from the landfill and ensure materials are sent to the correct stream.
- Clearly labeled 3-bin front of house systems (recycle, compost, landfill) placed throughout the ACC.
- Designated cardboard drop-off areas throughout the exhibit hall to maximize the cardboard effectively collected and recycled.
- Collection of clings in zero waste pallets post show for recycling.
- GES offers in booth recycling and compost porter service for exhibitors through ESK.
- Eliminated foamcore signage and prohibit styrofoam from the show.
- Staff meals are served on reusable serviceware.
- Identified water refill stations throughout the convention center to allow for easy water bottle refill.
- Partnered with r.Cup to bring reusable cups to our networking events at the show.
- We are aiming to eliminate single-use plastics in the coming years!
What our sponsors did in 2023...
Thank you to Tetra Pak for sponsoring our waste diversion efforts at Natural Products Expo West 2023.
What our show is doing...
- Tracking of energy consumption at the convention center and hotels to offset the carbon impact through our partnership with GreenPrint and Natural Capital Partners.
- No HVAC during move in/move out.
- Lighting levels are set to 50% during move in/move out.
- Energy and water consumption at the convention center and host hotels is tracked and offset by partnership with GreenPrint and Natural Capital Partners.
- Encourage shipping/freight through SmartWay freight partners.
What our sponsors did in 2023...
Thank you to our ACC Offsetting Sponsor Kvaroy Arctic who is allowing us to offset all of the water and electricity used during Natural Products Expo West in the Anaheim Convention Center.
In 2022, a total of 673 TONS of CO2 was offset thanks to our ACC and Hotel Offsetting Sponsors!
Thank you to our Hotel Offsetting Sponsor Danone who is allowing us to offset all of the water and electricity used during Natural Products Expo West at the two host hotels.
In 2022, a total of 673 TONS of CO2 was offset thanks to our ACC and Hotel Offsetting Sponsors!
What the show is doing...
- Attendees are encouraged to participate in the hotels' linen reuse program.
- Providing water refilling stations and reusable water bottles for anyone who forgot theirs! During past shows, these water refilling stations helped avoid over 10,000 plastic water bottles from being used.
What our sponsors did in 2023...
Thank you to our Hotel Offsetting Sponsor Danone who is allowing us to offset all of the water and electricity used during Natural Products Expo West at the two host hotels.
In 2022, 2,181,000 gallons of water was saved through The Alfalfa Project thanks to our ACC and Hotel Offsetting Sponsors!
Thank you to our ACC Offsetting Sponsor Kvaroy Arctic who is allowing us to offset all of the water and electricity used during Natural Products Expo West in the Anaheim Convention Center.
In 2022, 2,181,000 gallons of water was saved through The Alfalfa Project thanks to our ACC and Hotel Offsetting Sponsors!
At Expo West 2023, Vital Proteins provided 2,000 Expo West water bottles in 2023 and sponsored the water refilling stations throughout the Anaheim Convention Center, which saved hundreds of single-use plastic bottles from ending up in the landfills and our waterways.
At Expo West 2023, Liquid Death provided canned water to replace plastic waterbottles in all of our host hotels, saving 19,492 plastic bottles of water from being used!
What the show is doing...
- Eliminated carpet in the exhibit hall. This removes this over 300,000 sq ft of carpet and padding from our waste stream.
- Styrofoam and foamcore have been banned and eliminated from Exhibitor Service Kit (ESK).
- Continued partnership with GES to procure more sustainable products including reusable and recyclable signage.
- The Show Directory Map is printed on FSC certified paper, which ensures products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.
- Show Mobile App will provide all attendees with all pertinent show information.
- At Expo West 2023, by switching to digital kiosks from traditional print signage throughout the convention center, we saved 13,475 sq in of printed plexi.
- In the Marriott at Expo West 2023, 7 digital signs were used which replaced 15 meter boards. This saved 47,880 sq. in. of cardboard.
What our sponsors did in 2023...
Show Bag Sponsor
Thank you to our sponsor Robinson Pharma for sponsoring the Natural Products Expo West 2023 show bags!
Show Bag Partner
We’re proud to partner with ChicoBag, a Climate Neutral, 1% for the Planet and B Corp certified company for our show bags this year. All ChicoBag rePETe products contain certified Repreve fabric which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. At Expo West 2023, we handed out 25,000 bags made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
Lanyard Sponsor
Thank you to our sponsor Youtheory. Our lanyards were made of a post-consumer polyester waste called Repreve Polyester Fiber. This fiber is made of 100% recycled plastic water bottles.
What the show is doing...
- We covered the carbon offsets of every attendee or exhibitor that measures their carbon footprint of traveling to Expo West through AQ Green.
- We offset all staff travel to/from the show
- We partnered with Natural Capital Partners to ensure support of certified and audited carbon offset projects around the world. All the projects supported are independently verified to assure emission reductions are occurring.
