EBACE2023 > Sustainability at EBACE2023 > Building a Sustainable EBACE2023

Building a Sustainable EBACE2023

Learn what EBACE Show Management – and its partners Palexpo and Freeman, EMEA – are doing to make EBACE2023 environmentally sustainable.

Palexpo SA, Committed to Sustainability

Palexpo SA has been certified ISO 20121 since 2018. This standard is dedicated to the events industry, certifies that its activities are carried out in a sustainable manner and its buildings operated in an environmentally friendly manner.

Freeman Impact

Freeman’s commitment to sustainability and diversity, equality and inclusion ensures the well-being of Freeman employees, communities and environment. Freeman was the first General Services Contractor (GSC) to earn both the ISO 14001 and ISO 20121 certifications, which help to guide and measure their actions and approach to sustainability.

EBACE Sustainability Highlights

  • Palexpo uses 100% renewable energy sources: hydraulic and solar, thanks to the 30,000 square meters of photovoltaic panels on the roof of Palexpo. Palexpo is the second largest solar power plant in the country.
  • Landfilling is prohibited in Geneva. The heat from the local incineration plant is reused in the district heating system used by Palexpo.
  • 78% of waste is sorted on site for a recycling rate of 48%, and re-sorted at the waste management plant located 9 km away.
  • 75-100% of carpets are recycled, with 100% for Rewind and 75% for Podium (the plastic underlay cannot be recycled).
  • All Palexpo restaurants and dining areas feature a vegetarian alternative. 57% of dishes are meat-based.
  • Local supplies are favored when purchasing goods, particularly those bearing the GRTA Genève Région-Terre Avenir label. Food delivery logistics average 12 km, delivered in vans or small trucks with thermal engines. The meat served is primarily Swiss, and the fish comes from responsible fishing (MSC label).
  • 100% of unavoidable carbon emissions related to EBACE is offset.

But that’s just the beginning. Take a look at all of the great things our team, exhibitors, vendors, sponsors and attendees are doing to bolster sustainability at this year’s event.

Waste Management

  • All waste is collected single stream throughout the facility and sorted for recycling and compost materials off-site.
  • Designated cardboard drop-off areas throughout the exhibit hall to maximize the cardboard effectively collected and recycled
  • Clings are collected in zero-waste pallets post-show for recycling.
  • Eliminated foam core signage and prohibited Styrofoam from the show.
  • Staff meals are served on reusable serviceware.

Energy Consumption

  • Energy consumption at the convention center and hotels is tracked to offset the carbon impact.
  • No HVAC is used during move-in and move-out.
  • Lighting levels are set to 50% during move-in and move-out.

Water Consumption

  • Water refill stations are located throughout Palexpo.
  • Attendees are encouraged to participate in their hotels’ linen reuse program to minimize water use.

Carbon Offsets

  • Unavoidable carbon emissions will be offset.
  • All the carbon offset projects supported are independently verified to assure emission reductions are occurring.