Recognizing the 2014 observance of Earth Day, the IMEX Group released its annual IMEX America Sustainability Report, noting a 9 percent improvement in sustainable event standards among participants and partners.
Compiled and audited by IMEX’s sustainability partners MeetGreen, the sustainability benchmarking report was released simultaneously while IMEX launched a campaign during IMEX in Frankfurt and IMEX America. Reminding participants and partners of annual contributions each year, IMEX advocates the reuse, recycling and reduction of waste and vital resources.
The report showed significant reductions in energy and water usage combined with a 10 percent improvement in waste being sent to landfills, coupled with an increase in composting rates.
In addition, IMEX reported about 8,590 pounds of show materials, mostly signage and carpet, was donated to local charities. Some materials were donated to a local Las Vegas co-op for reuse as greenhouse enclosures.
Sands Expo, an IMEX host partner and parent company to The Venetian and The Palazzo, had a waste diversion rate of 90.32 percent which, when combined with the results from the Venetian and Palazzo, resulted in an overall diversion rate of 79.6 percent.
This resulted in the 10 percent improvement in waste diversion from landfill compared to 2012. Despite increased attendance figures, overall water use was also reduced by 16 percent.
Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group, stated that both communication and ‘championing’ of best environmental practices cannot stop.
“It takes constant vigilance, corporate commitment and caring at a personal level, so Earth Day 2014 presents the perfect opportunity to thank everyone for doing their bit, and to encourage them to keep on helping, whether they plan to join us in Frankfurt or Las Vegas,” stated Bauer.
Highlighted in the report were several other notable achievements, including 32 percent of all food served met the APEX/ASTM sustainability standard for food and beverage operations. Also, over $5,000 dollars was donated to three local Las Vegas area charities, which IMEX America has pledged to support over the long-term – Opportunity Village, the Shade Tree and Clean the World.
Donations were raised through the IMEX Badge Back program, which gives $1 for every used visitor badge dropped into a sponsored recycling bin.
Through a donation from MeetGreen, IMEX also invites visitors to create hygiene kits from reusable toiletries, resulting in over 700 kits being made and donated to the Shade Tree shelter for women, children and their pets.
For more information, visit Imexamerica.com/challenge.
