Going Green - Is it possible?
I recently read an article in a Canadian newspaper about a “green” tradeshow. The concept of “going green” or in effect reducing carbon emissions in everything that we do is becoming much more prevalent as we become more aware of global warming. This article discussed the tradeshow environment and eliminating things like handouts and bottled water, and substituting the savings in these areas for more expensive options in catering such as organic foods. Obviously, there are tradeoffs not only in what you do and don’t provide but in the perception of the attendees.
In a prior life with my company I worked on the committee that was responsible for our annual customer training event. This 3 day “show” brings attendees from our customer base to a single location where they receive training on software applications they are using to run their businesses. After reading the article I couldn’t help but wonder how we as a company could make this event “green”. I also couldn’t help but wonder at what cost?
“Green” is expensive… at least that is the impression. What I don’t know is how you could ultimately quantify the benefits and the costs associated with going “green”.
Let me give you an example. There was discussion in the article about not printing handouts for the sessions that are attended but rather make them available in online form. Green aspects would be that you weren’t having paper printed that could ultimately end up in the garbage or unused by the attendee. Reductions in carbon dioxide in the harvesting
of the trees, the processing of the trees for paper, the warehousing and movement of the paper to the consumers, the printing process which would require power and additional resources, staff to get to work to print them, transportation to the final event and on and on and on. Quantifying this would be extremely difficult.
Now look at the opposite side of the coin… We choose not to print the handouts but rather make them available to the customers in electronic format. They review the documents online using electricity, decide they need reference materials and print them using their laser printer which incorporates all of the above processes once again only now at an
individual level. (They also email them to all of their associates who may decide to print them as well.) They bring them with them to the event and so in effect all we’ve done is transferred the costs to the consumers. While not all of them would choose to print them or even access them the risk to the event holder would be that in going “green” we’ve also gone “cheap” and we aren’t providing them with what they need for a successful learning experience. Again, I think quantification would be next to impossible.
When going “green” I think both sides of the coin are important for consideration. Make your choices wisely. My thoughts on what may make a ”green” trade show might include regionalization so people don’t have to travel as far… utilizing mass transportation where possible and making sure that hotels and restaurants are within walking distance of the venue, using recycled products wherever possible, etc…
I think we all need to keep in mind our impact on the planet and we need to be much more “green” than we are now but we also need to be carefaul that we don’t “go green” in name only and just transfer the responsibility to someone else.
Some additional links related to environmentalism and “going green” include:
National Geographic - Going Green
Your thoughts?
This post was read 116 times until now
Leave a Reply