We are building a sustainable future

As an event venue, Flanders Expo maintains an ambitious sustainability policy.

Together we want to:

  • reduce our environmental impact and decrease the amount of waste
  • promote innovation
  • support local suppliers
  • embrace diversity in all its dimensions and guarantee the well-being of every visitor and employee

As part of the Easyfairs Group, we are committed to the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge. Our goal? To be fully climate neutral by 2050 and to halve our CO2 emissions by 2030.

THE 6 MAIN INITIATIVES

to achieve these goals:

Production & waste

We maintain a clear waste policy

  • We place sorting bins at strategic locations
  • Exhibitors can choose from a wide range of 100% recyclable carpet
  • We limit the use of plastic and paper:
    • Porcelain and glass tableware is our preference
    • With numerous digital LED screens, we manage communication and wayfinding efficiently
    • We encourage the use of reusable water bottles in our offices
    • Toilets are equipped with energy-efficient hand dryers
  • We use environmentally friendly cleaning products

We use renewable energy

  • In 2009, we installed 53,000 m2 of solar panels on the roof of Flanders Expo, accounting for 25% of our energy consumption

We take energy-saving measures

  • We use LED lighting, which reduces our electricity consumption by approximately 80%
  • We monitor temperature and CO2 levels using intelligent equipment
  • We limit energy consumption by strictly controlling not only the temperature, but also lighting and HVAC levels during build-up and breakdown:
    • We limit the temperature to 18°C
    • Only 50% of the lighting is on during the build-up and breakdown of events
  • Thanks to smart investments in measurement and heating systems, we save 100,000 m3 of gas annually

We take measures to save water

  • Employees and suppliers are taught how to use water sparingly
  • Our toilets are equipped with a flush-saving button

We strive for more sustainable mobility

  • We have 50 charging points for electric cars available
  • Via our website and social media, we encourage visitors to come to Flanders Expo on foot, by bike, by public transport or by carpooling
  • Using a mobility package, we encourage employees to come to work sustainably
Freight & logistics

We select our suppliers partly based on sustainability criteria

We ensure that our catering points handle food sustainably

  • 50% of the fruit and vegetables served in our catering points come from Belgium
  • We only serve sustainably caught fish (Planet Compass) and fair trade or organic tea and coffee in our catering points
  • We provide vegetarian and vegan options at all catering points

We combat food waste

  • We control portion sizes
  • With the help of our catering partners, we compost our food surpluses

We embrace diversity and inclusion in all its dimensions

  • Under the guidance of Tourism Flanders, we are committed to being an accessible venue for everyone
  • We offer everyone equal opportunities in terms of employment

We want to be a socially responsible organization

  • We are committed to charity, such as organizing “De Grootste Quiz” for the benefit of Fiola vzw
  • Local suppliers and suppliers who apply socially responsible practices are preferred
  • We generate tourism in the city of Ghent, thereby supporting local businesses, restaurants and hotels
  • 80,000 bees reside in beehives on our site

VISITOR?

This is what you can do:

  • Come to Flanders Expo on foot, by bike or by public transport. Taking the car anyway? Give your colleagues and/or friends a lift!
  • Throw your waste in the correct sorting bin.
  • Stay overnight in an (eco)hotel within walking distance or take public transport from the center to Flanders Expo.

ORGANIZER?

This is what you can do:

  • Encourage your visitors to bring their tickets digitally to your event.
  • Advise your visitors to stay in an (eco)hotel within walking distance or in the center of Ghent.
  • Promote public transport to your visitors. Tram 1 from Ghent city center stops right in front of the door, which is super convenient!
  • Are you providing a shuttle service to your event? Opt for electric vans or cars.
  • Choose digital communication as much as possible. Prefer printed matter? Use recycled paper and ecological ink to limit CO2 emissions.
  • In consultation with us, limit the temperature to 18°C during build-up and breakdown and turn off the lights at night.
  • Even if you are not working with our catering partners, we recommend integrating vegetarian and vegan options into the menu, limiting red meat, serving sustainably caught or farmed fish with a quality mark, and choosing (local) food trucks that work sustainably.
  • Donate surplus food to charity.
  • Integrate sustainability principles into your agreement with suppliers and service providers, such as sustainable transport, local sourcing of products and materials...
  • Try to use recyclable materials as much as possible – such as reusable floor coverings.
  • Use the LED screens on the Flanders Expo site for wayfinding. You can easily request the plan with all available digital screens from your assigned Event Operations Manager.
  • Distributing lanyards or badges during your event? Don't forget to collect and recycle them when your visitors leave the event.
  • ... & don’t forget: Reduce-Recycle-Reuse!

Exhibitor?

This is what you can do:

  • Choose a reusable all-in stand from Easyfairs or design your own stand that you can reuse.
  • Install LED lighting in your stand.
  • Use reusable panels (e.g. without date) made of recyclable materials, and if possible with environmentally friendly ink.
  • Try to use recyclable floor covering as much as possible.
  • Giving a gift to visitors? Ask yourself if the gift is useful and will actually be used.
  • Recycle by using our sorting bins.
  • Come by public transport or carpool with your colleagues if possible.
  • Stay in an (eco)hotel within walking distance or stay overnight in the center of Ghent and come to the event by public transport.
  • Choose sustainable and local transport and logistics companies and suppliers.
  • Avoid single-use plastics.
  • Try to estimate quantities as accurately as possible to avoid food surpluses.
  • Inspire visitors to your stand by introducing them to your sustainable operations and/or products.