Michael Duck, senior vice-president of UBM Asia (formerly CMP Asia), describes how the trade show organiser is challenging itself, as well as venues and suppliers, to reduce its impact on the environment.

Why did UBM Asia undertake this change in policy?
For media companies, managing the environmental impact of their business is at present voluntary. Government attention is focused on more polluting industries, while we are being left to self-regulate.

Therefore the task facing the exhibition industry is to ensure our self-regulation is effective and that we don't require governments to legislate us into changing our behaviour.

What are your key initiatives?
We are encouraging our database to opt for emails rather than receiving printed matter. This means using online registration, e-invitations and e-badges. We placed our exhibitor manuals online a few years ago - some are already 100 per cent electronic and can save 100kg of paper for a large show. However, show directories are heavy and we save tonnes of paper by placing this information on CDs instead. 

In Hong Kong, a local design studio takes our unwanted PVC banners post-show and uses them to make recycled bags, wallets and backpacks that are sold in local stores. Ten per cent of the profits are donated to the World Wildlife Fund. We are also working to eliminate plastic badge-holders by 2010.

What are you doing in China?
We have been working for the past year with a China-based supplier to introduce 100 per cent recyclable carpet at our trade shows. This carpet can replace the traditional needlepunch carpeting that cannot be recycled and invariably finds its way into landfills. We are hoping other large organisers will also stimulate demand for this environmentally friendly product and encourage other suppliers to enter the market. 

We also conducted a trial, with HKCEC, that involved painting the exhibition floor with water-based paint. This had already proved successful in the UK, however given the short move-in/out times this did not seem workable in Hong Kong.

Anything else notable?
Starting with some shows in Hong Kong and China, we are now imposing height restrictions (4m) on special design raw space stands, reducing material usage. We also requested upgraded lighting from contractors, which is brighter, consumes less energy and generates less heat.