In celebration of Earth Day, ExhibitorLIVE and Fern, an Nth Degree company, are setting a new standard for sustainability in the events industry by successfully diverting 33,772 pounds of materials from landfill following the 2026 ExhibitorLIVE event.
Through a strategic partnership with sustainability leaders Brumark and Exploring Graphics, the event implemented a comprehensive material recovery program that ensured large-scale reuse, recycling, and repurposing of event materials, transforming what is traditionally considered waste into valuable resources.
A Measurable Impact
The initiative resulted in significant environmental benefits, including:
- 33,772 total pounds diverted from landfill
- 17.92 tons of carpet and turf recovered
- 1.23 tons of vinyl materials recycled
- 1.88 tons of padding repurposed
- 0.5 tons of graphics materials reclaimed
This effort also delivered meaningful environmental offsets:
- 10,412 pounds of CO₂ emissions avoided
- Equivalent to 10,670 pounds of coal not burned
- 72,900 square feet of landfill space preserved
From Waste to Resource
Instead of being discarded, materials from the show floor were carefully sorted and directed into sustainable end-of-life pathways:
- Carpet and Turf were processed and repurposed into alternative fuel sources and industrial reuse applications, extending their lifecycle beyond the event.
- Vinyl Materials were collected and recycled into raw materials for future manufacturing, reducing the need for virgin plastic production.
- Padding was reclaimed for reuse in various industrial and construction-related applications.
- Graphics Materials were diverted for specialized recycling and reuse programs, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
These efforts were made possible through FERN’s commitment to sustainable event execution and their collaboration with Brumark and Exploring Graphics, who provided the infrastructure, logistics, and expertise to make large-scale diversion achievable.
Setting a New Standard for the Industry
By prioritizing sustainability without adding complexity for exhibitors, ExhibitorLIVE and FERN have demonstrated that environmentally responsible events are not only possible but scalable.
This initiative reflects a growing shift in the events industry toward measurable environmental accountability and smarter material management practices.
