Sustainability - what are we doing?

Sustainability holds greater significance than ever, and we acknowledge our responsibility to minimize our carbon footprint. At Scotland's Trade Fairs, we are committed to implementing various measures to prioritize positive outcomes for our visitors, exhibitors, and the environment through our sustainability initiatives.

Our Efforts Include:

Embracing A Paperless Approach

Advance registrations eliminate the need for paper tickets, as visitors can conveniently display their barcode on their mobile devices through email, Apple Wallet, or Google Wallet. We maintain a paperless office as much as possible, and have significantly reduced printed materials at the show. When printing is necessary, we opt for recycled and/or recyclable paper.

Eco-Friendly Travel

We advocate for active travel options like walking or cycling when practical and suggest public transport or car-sharing when necessary.

Re-using Materials

Reusing materials: Whenever feasible, we reuse signage and banners from previous years, reducing the need for new printing and delivery.

Recycling Initiatives

Recycling bins are strategically placed at the show and throughout the wider SEC venue to encourage visitors to recycle. Our free show bags, provided to us by exhibitor EcoBags, are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.

Sustainable Food Choices

Over 80% of the onsite food is sourced from Scotland, with 50% being plant-forward. Our food partners, SEC Food, are committed to minimizing kitchen food waste to less than 1%. Surplus food is donated to Launch Foods, benefiting deprived areas in Glasgow. Unusable food is repurposed for internal catering. SEC Food also offers a 50p discount for those using reusable coffee cups, and top-up taps for reusable water bottles are available on the SEC concourse.

Sustainable Venue

The SEC venue aims to achieve net zero status by 2030, focusing on climate, governance, partnership, people, and resource management. This includes an ambitious energy strategy, water efficiency measures, green travel initiatives, supply chain engagement, and waste management.