CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2011 Shows Report Successful Onsite Repurposing/Recycling Program

CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2011 show management report that a successful recycling/repurposing program was conducted at the shows, held in late March 2011 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

The shows continued a recycling program initiated at the 2008 event, and for 2011 took those efforts a step further with the “Repurpose AMERICA program presented by DoppstadtUS.”

Repurpose AMERICA complements and completes the recycling process by capturing non-recyclable material that would have ended up in landfills. This nonprofit Las Vegas-based organization repurposes the discarded material for donation to local schools, teachers, community associations and other nonprofit groups.
Repurposing/recycling results at shows’ end:

> More than 442 tons of waste were processed from the event with nearly 338 tons able to be recycled, for a recovery rate of more than 76 percent. (Materials included paper/cardboard, carpet/padding and building materials such as concrete, ferrous metal, film, glass, wire/cable, plastics and wood.)
> Compared to the last shows, held 2008, there was a 25.5 percent increase in the recovery rate (2008 recovery rate was 50.5 percent of total materials).
> Repurpose AMERICA was able to collect for repurposing nearly 151,000-square-feet of non-recyclable materials from signage (such as magnetics, vinyl and foamcore).

Repurpose AMERICA reports the materials are already beginning to work themselves into job programs, schools and other community outreach. One example: banner material was used in replacing a 4,000-square-foot worn-out sunshade at a pre-school with more than 65 children.

Repurpose AMERICA worked closely with show producer Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the Las Vegas Convention Center and show general contractor GES during the waste-collection process.

“This was a group effort by many dedicated individuals to facilitate the recycling and repurposing, and the positive impact such efforts can achieve is gratifying,” stated Megan Tanel, AEM vice president exhibitions and events.

Factors cited by show management for capturing a greater percentage of materials in 2011 to be repurposed and recycled included more extensive communications to exhibitors, both in advance and with onsite promotional signage.