With the countdown to Autumn Fair underway, sustainability will be a big focus at the show this year, with organisers the ITE Group launching the Power of One initiative (introduced at Spring Fair earlier this year), to encourage greater sustainable action across the industry.
Visitors to the show will be encouraged to pledge to make one small sustainable change to their lives at the Power of One Wall in the NEC’s Atrium, with those that do receiving a free reusable water bottle from Summit International.
“There’s clearly real impetus from within the industry to do something about the environmental issues we face,” comments Autumn Fair’s event director Jessica Dawnay. “For example, in a recent survey we launched, UK retailers told us that they hoped to increase the percentage of their products that are sustainable by 33% on average by the end of next year. Many however, simply don’t know how or where to start when it comes to their sustainability journey. At Autumn Fair 2019, we have put sustainability at the heart of our agenda, ensuring that retailers looking for direction on ethical sourcing, environmentally-friendly packaging, waste disposal and more, are getting the help and advice they need to kick-start industrywide change.”
As well as encouraging sustainable changes, the show will be hosting insightful seminars around wider sustainability issues at the Inspiring Retail Stage in Hall 6, and the Sourcing Theatre in Hall 10. Also on hand at the show will be suppliers who champion the sustainability agenda and demonstrate the wider industry’s commitment to ethical sourcing.
All onsite Autumn Fair books will be 100% recyclable, with the show organisers encouraging people to bring their own water bottles to prevent plastic cups being used on the show floor.
Autumn Fair takes place from September 1-4 at the NEC, Birmingham.
The Power of One campaign promotes the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal to encourage more responsible consumption and production.
Top: Sustainability will be heavily promoted at Autumn Fair through the Power of One campaign. Shown are visitors to last year’s exhibition.
