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. Click the + signs below to learn more.

What's New in 2024!

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!

In an effort to reduce single use plastic, we are partnering with r.Cup to bring reusable cups to various Expo West events! The reuse of these cups will allow us to avoid tons of single-use, disposable waste. At the Expo West 2023 show we were able to save 2,627 single-use cups and 164 lbs of CO2 eliminated!

Here's how it works:

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 clings in zero waste pallets post show for recycling.
GES offers in booth recycling and compost porter service for exhibitors through ESK.
Eliminated foamcore signage and prohibit styrofoam from the show.
Staff meals are served on reusable serviceware.
Identified water refill stations throughout the convention center to allow for easy water bottle refill.
Partnered with r.Cup to bring reusable cups to our networking events at the show.
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 at Natural Products Expo West 2024.

Death to Plastic Sponsor

We're proud to partner with Liquid Death on a Death to Plastic Sponsorship to replace the plastic waterbottles in our host hotels with canned water. In 2023, this partnership prevented the use of 19,492 plastic water bottles!

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.

What our sponsors are doing

Thank you to our ACC Offsetting Sponsor Kellanova who is allowing us to offset the carbon consumption of the Annaheim Convention Center during Natural Products Expo West 2024.

Water

What the show is doing

Attendees are encouraged to participate in the hotels' linen reuse program.
Providing water refilling stations and reusable water bottles for anyone who forgot theirs! During past shows, these water refilling stations helped avoid over 10,000 plastic water bottles from being used.

What our sponsors are doing

Thank you to our ACC Offsetting Sponsor Kellanova who's support allows us to purchase water restoration certificates for all of the water used throughout the Annaheim Convention Center during Natural Products Expo West 2024.

In 2023, 4,526,000 gallons of water were restored to critically dewatered rivers and streams thanks to our ACC and Hotel Offsetting Sponsors!

Procurement/Materials

What the show is doing

Eliminated 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).
Continued 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 Mobile App will provide all attendees with all pertinent show information.
At Expo West 2023, by switching to digital kiosks from traditional print signage throughout the convention center, we saved 13,475 sq in of printed plexi.
In the Marriott at Expo West 2023, 7 digital signs were used which replaced 15 meter boards. This saved 47,880 sq. in. of cardboard.

What our sponsors are doing

Show Bag Sponsor

Thank you to our sponsor Robinson Pharma for sponsoring the Natural Products Expo West 2024 show bags!

Show Bag Partner

We’re proud to partner with ChicoBag, a Climate Neutral, 1% for the Planet and B Corp certified company for our show bags this year. All ChicoBag rePETe products contain certified Repreve fabric which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. At Expo West 2023, we handed out 25,000 bags made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

Lanyard Sponsor

Thank you to BioCell for sponsoring the Natural Products Expo West 2024 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 Reports

Sustainability Program