Sustainability Program

Running an environmentally responsible 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.

Natural Products Expo West is working towards the elimination of single use plastics to better align with our show mission. We recognize the impact trade shows have on our planet, and as we take steps to do better, we ask that our attendees and exhibitors walk alongside us!

Partnership with Zero Foodprint

We partnered with Zero Foodprint to integrate climate action directly into Natural Products Expo West registration through a new Collective Regeneration Contribution. Attendees were encouraged to contribute $1 at registration, allowing Informa to pool thousands of small contributions into meaningful funding for regenerative agriculture. These collective funds are distributed through Zero Foodprint’s Restore Grants, supporting farmers and ranchers in implementing proven practices such as compost application, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and perennial plantings—methods that build healthy soil, strengthen farm resilience, and draw carbon from the atmosphere into the ground where it belongs.

Pull-A-Pound Partnership with 4Ocean

Natural Products Expo West is excited to partner with 4ocean to remove one pound of trash from the world’s oceans, rivers, and coastlines for every attendee of our event - totaling 70,000 pounds removed through this year's event. 4ocean is a global ocean cleanup company dedicated to ending the ocean plastic crisis. As a Public Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp, they harness the power of business to fund a global cleanup operation that recovers millions of pounds of plastic and other debris from the world's marine environments. Through our new Pull-A-Pound partnership, we are supporting verified cleanup operations that create real impact and drive awareness and action. We appreciate you joining us in this collective global effort to protect and restore the ocean.

The Better Stands Program

Aims to unite and encourage exhibitors along with their contractors to move away from disposable, single use stands at events in favor of re-usable or recyclable structure. Learn more here.

HowGood Environmental Impact Estimate

HowGood’s Environmental Impact Estimates on Beacon Discovery play a key role in supporting environmental sustainability efforts at Expo West and beyond. By providing transparency in sustainability claims through its evidence-based database, HowGood environmental impact estimates, viewable on Beacon Discovery, help exhibitors showcase the positive environmental impact of their products. Each product uploaded to Beacon Discovery is eligible to receive an estimate, highlighting their commitment to eco-friendly practices. This level of insight encourages retailers to seek out environmentally conscious products, aligning with their own sustainability goals and promoting more responsible buying decisions at the show. To learn more about HowGood and its benefits, visit HowGood on Beacon Discovery.

Our Efforts

Waste Diversion

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 lanyards, badges, and clings in zero waste pallets post show for recycling.
GES offers in booth recycling and compost porter service for exhibitors through ESK.
Eliminate foamcore signage and prohibit styrofoam from the show.
Staff meals are served on reusable serviceware.
Identify water refill stations throughout the convention center to allow for easy water bottle refill.
Partner with r.cup to bring reusable cups to our networking events at the show including zero waste sampling at the annual Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace. This year we eliminated 29,600 single-use items, diverted 168 pounds of waste from landfills and conserved 2,856 gallons of water!
Partner with Zero Foodprint to collect funding for regenerative agriculture
Partner with 4ocean to remove one pound of trash from the world’s oceans, rivers, and coastlines for every attendee of Natural Products Expo WestContinue Better Stands, a program that helps exhibitors reduce the waste created by single use stands at events in favor for reusable materials.
We are aiming to eliminate single-use plastics in the coming years!

What our sponsors are doing

Waste Diversion Sponsor

Thank you to Tetra Pak for sponsoring our waste diversion efforts this year!

Energy/Carbon

What our show is doing

Tracking energy consumption at the convention center and hotels to offset the carbon impact through our partnership with AQ Green.
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 AQ Green and sponsors.
We automatically offset all staff travel to/from the show.
Encourage shipping/freight through SmartWay freight partners.

Procurement/Materials

What the show is doing

Eliminate 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).
Continue 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 Event App will provide all attendees with all pertinent show information.
Utilize digital kiosks instead of print signage throughout the convention center where possible. At previous shows, this allowed us to save 13,475 sq in of printed plexi.
Digital signs are used instead of cardboard in the Anaheim Marriott. At previous shows, this change allowed us to save 47,880 sq in of cardboard.

What our sponsors are doing

Show Bag Sponsor

Thank you to Robinson Pharma for sponsoring the Natural Products Expo West 2026 show bags! Our show bags are made of a post-consumer polyester waste called Repreve Polyester Fiber. This fiber is made of 100% recycled plastic water bottles.

Lanyard Sponsor

Thank you to BioCell for sponsoring the Natural Products Expo West 2026 lanyards! Our lanyards are made of a post-consumer polyester waste called Repreve Polyester Fiber. This fiber is made of 100% recycled plastic water bottles.

Sustainability Program