SPI’s commitment to pursuing zero waste will be apparent throughout NPE2015, from diverse programs on sustainability to an ambitious plan to recycle the scrap generated by hundreds of machines operating right on the exhibit floor. With the announcement of the Zero Waste Zone, there will now be a dedicated area of the NPE show floor focused entirely on the industry mandate to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics.

“While we all support the concept of conserving material and eliminating waste, the Zero Waste Zone will provide further education and information on the various post-consumer options available,” says Brad Williams, SPI’s director of marketing and sales. “We are providing that education through demonstrations and an experience with post-consumer recycling for attendees. Visitors will see how ordinary plastic products at the end of their useful life can be transformed into raw material for a new life, often in the form of entirely different products. In fact, one of the displays in the Zero Waste Zone will feature elegant fashion that has been reborn from some very utilitarian products.”

The Zero Waste Zone will present recycling demonstrations, multiple displays of products made with post-consumer recycled material, a cradle-to-cradle education experience and special events. Surrounding the Zero Waste Zone will be the Recycling Pavilion with exhibits by recycling companies and suppliers of recycling technologies, and the Sustainability Pavilion featuring technologies that benefit the environment. The entire area will be located in the South Hall of the Orange County Convention Center, the venue for NPE2015 in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Some of the programs and events already planned for the Zero Waste Zone include:

• A recycling demonstration by Rapid Granulator Inc., which will process polyethylene terephthalate (PET) products into reusable flakes.
• Products made from recycled plastics, displayed by companies such as Dell, EcoStrate, Green Toys, Preserve Products, Seventh Generation, and TerraCycle, with more to be announced.
• A PET recycling/sustainability van provided by the HB Media publication PETplanet Insider. 
• “Pursuing Zero Waste” wall, where NPE2015 attendees can pin their business cards to show their commitment to zero waste (and become eligible to win a Harley Davidson motorcycle).
• International Beer Garden, an attendee networking spot opening at 11 a.m. daily, where special events will be held. 

In addition to the Zero Waste Zone, SPI will also host a related fashion show at the NPE2015 Opening Ceremony, scheduled for Monday, prior to the exhibit floor opening. The show will feature clothing made from recycled or reused plastic materials. These clothing items will be original designs and outfits created by students from the Savannah College of Art & Design and will be showcased throughout the week of NPE2015 at the Zero Waste Zone.