Circular economy - the key to a sustainable and future-oriented event industry

The event industry is facing a decisive turning point: New research shows that six out of nine planetary boundaries have already been exceeded - mainly through the extraction and processing of resources such as biomass, fossil fuels, metals and minerals. These activities cause 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and 90 percent of biodiversity loss and water stress, as reported by the UN Environment Program's International Resource Council in 2019. In this context, the circular economy is seen as an essential approach for a sustainable future.

The EU and Germany are accelerating their efforts to move from a linear to a circular economy. However, the GreenTech Study 2023 shows that Germany is still far from a truly circular economy and highlights the urgency for action to promote the circular economy due to the high per capita consumption of raw materials. The circular economy, which aims to reduce waste and maximize the reuse, repair, remanufacturing and recycling of products and materials, contrasts with a linear economic model based on a "take, make, dispose" mentality. For the event industry, this shift offers the opportunity to establish itself as a pioneer of sustainable and responsible business practices that not only protect the environment, but are also economically sustainable in the long term.

Circular economy: the path to a sustainable closed loop

The circular economy aims to create a closed loop for material flows. This means that materials and products are kept in the economic cycle for as long as possible and returned to the production cycle at the end of their service life.

A closed loop for material flows in the circular economy can be made possible by the following measures:

• Design for reuse and recycling: Products are designed from the outset so that they can be easily repaired, dismantled, refurbished and recycled. This includes the use of standardized, non-toxic and easily recyclable materials.
• Durability and reparability: By manufacturing durable products and ensuring they are easily repairable, the service life is extended, reducing the need for new production and the consumption of resources.
• Resource-efficient production: reduction of material consumption and use of environmentally friendly, recycled or renewable materials in the production phase.
• Take-back and recycling programs: Establish systems in which manufacturers take back their products at the end of their life in order to repair, refurbish or recycle them.
• Industrial symbiosis: Cooperation between companies in which waste products from one company serve as raw materials for another, thereby reducing waste and increasing efficiency.
• Biological cycles: A cycle is created for biodegradable materials by composting them after use and returning them to natural systems such as agriculture.
• Digital technologies: use of technologies such as blockchain to improve the traceability of materials and products throughout their life cycle.

Through these practices, a true closed-loop for material flows can be achieved, minimizing waste generation, maximizing resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Sustainability assessment through LCA and material flow: How environmentally friendly are our events, products and processes really?

Many of the business models and concepts mentioned above are deeply rooted in the event industry, but we are only now beginning to look at them from a sustainability perspective and develop them further. A key aspect of this is quantifying sustainability: when is something more sustainable, and how do we evaluate results and improvement processes? This is where Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comes into play, a crucial tool for assessing the environmental impact of events, products and services.

The LCA considers the entire life cycle of an event or product - from raw material extraction, production and use through to disposal or recycling. It plays a central role in the circular economy as it helps to identify and assess the environmental impact at every step. This includes resource consumption, emissions, energy consumption and waste generation.

With LCA, different alternatives or materials can be compared to choose the most environmentally friendly option. The results of the LCA are crucial for making products more environmentally friendly and processes more efficient. They enable optimization of circular processes such as more efficient recycling, longer product life or reduced energy consumption.

The transparency and scientific basis of the LCA results are also important for communication with stakeholders and customers. They make it possible to clearly present the environmental impact of products and communicate the benefits of circular strategies. Overall, LCA is a key tool for sustainable management in the circular economy and offers a comprehensive assessment and optimization of events and processes in terms of their environmental impact.

Two main cycles in the event industry

Technical circuit in the live event sector:
In the live event sector, the technical cycle refers primarily to stage technology, lighting, audio systems and stage decorations. To promote a circular economy, these elements should be designed and built in such a way that they can be repaired, modularly redesigned and easily dismantled. This allows them to be reused, repaired, remanufactured and ultimately recycled. Keeping equipment and decoration in this cycle minimizes waste and promotes sustainability in the event industry.

Biological cycle in the live event sector:
The biological cycle in the event sector refers to everything that is organic and can be biodegraded - from stage decorations made from natural materials to catering leftovers. When planning an event, care can be taken to use materials such as wood, paper or fabrics that are compostable or biodegradable. Leftover food and organic materials can be composted or used to generate biological energy. In this way, events help to ensure that organic materials are returned to the soil to support the cycle of nature.

ReUse in the event industry:

Stage elements, decorations and technical equipment can be reused for several events. By adapting and reusing these materials, resources can be saved and waste reduced. Rental concepts can help equipment and decorations to circulate from one event to another or between different venues. This extends the life of the materials and reduces the need to purchase new ones. Sharing is particularly effective in the live event sector, as equipment such as tableware, stage equipment, lighting and audio equipment is often only needed on a temporary basis. Instead of each organization owning its own, rarely used equipment, rental companies can enable shared use. This saves costs and promotes a more efficient use of resources.

Refurbishment in the event industry:

The refurbishment of stage equipment, costumes and technical equipment can significantly extend their service life. This includes repair and, if necessary, modernization to meet the requirements of new productions.

Remanufacturing of event materials:

For example, old stage sets or technical equipment can be reworked for use in new contexts. In this way, something new and useful is created from old material.

Recycling in the event industry:

At the end of their useful life, materials and equipment from the event sector can be recycled. This includes the recovery of raw materials from old stage sets, technical equipment or decoration materials in order to reuse them in new production cycles.

Material flow analyses with Sankey diagrams are a valuable tool for the event and exhibition industry to analyze material flows in the context of the circular economy. They make it possible to visualize the path of resources at different stages of events and exhibitions and provide insights into opportunities for improvement. Sankey diagrams allow organizers to visualize the flow of materials such as construction materials, energy, water and waste at an exhibition. The width of the arrows in the diagram represents the volume of flows. These diagrams help to identify areas where resources are being used inefficiently. For example, high energy consumption or waste generation in certain areas of the trade fair can be identified. The analysis makes it possible to optimize the use of resources in order to minimize the environmental impact and increase efficiency. In the event and trade fair industry, Sankey diagrams are therefore an effective tool for analyzing material and energy flows, promoting sustainability and supporting an efficient circular economy.

New business models in the event industry thanks to the circular economy: XaaS as a trailblazer

In the event industry, the concept of "XaaS" (Everything as a Service or Anything as a Service) opens up new horizons by fitting in perfectly with the principles of the circular economy. XaaS is a subscription-based business model in which products or services are offered as an ongoing service rather than a one-off purchase. This model makes a significant contribution to promoting the circular economy.

Promotion of product longevity:

In the XaaS model, providers often retain ownership of the physical products. This motivates them to develop durable, easy-to-maintain products that can be easily repaired, upgraded and recycled.

Reduction of waste: Customers no longer buy products, but use them as a service. This leads to a significant reduction in waste, as the products are returned to the supplier at the end of their life and reused or recycled.

Increasing efficiency and optimizing resources:

XaaS models enable a more efficient use of resources. For example, devices or machines that are offered as a service can be used by several customers, resulting in higher utilization and lower resource consumption per user.

Dematerialization:

XaaS promotes the transition to digital payment models and services. One example of this is digital tickets, which replace physical tickets and thus reduce emissions and waste.

Innovative business models:

XaaS encourages companies to develop creative services that comply with the principles of the circular economy. This can include offering maintenance and repair services as part of an event service package.

Overall, XaaS is changing the way products and services are designed, used and utilized in the event industry, promoting more sustainable consumption patterns.

Best case: d&b CPO Remanufacturing: pioneering work in the circular economy with 80% CO2 savings

The d&b CPO Remanufacturing Program is an outstanding example of the successful introduction of the circular economy in the audio technology industry. With an impressive 80% reduction in CO2 emissions, the program sets new standards in sustainability and environmental protection.

The heart of the program is the remanufacturing and reuse of audio components. Instead of manufacturing new products, used components are collected, thoroughly tested and refurbished. This remanufacturing process conserves resources and minimizes environmental impact.

A key component of success is strict quality control. Every part that passes through the d&b Remanufacturing Center is carefully inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced to ensure that it meets d&b's high standards. This guarantees that the remanufactured products are comparable to new products in terms of performance and reliability.
In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, the program also helps to reduce waste by extending the life of audio components. This is an important step away from the throwaway culture and towards a more sustainable practice.
The d&b CPO Remanufacturing Program is not only an environmentally friendly initiative, but also an economically viable approach. Remanufacturing can reduce costs, which is beneficial for both the company and its customers.

This program is a good example of how companies can make a significant contribution to environmental protection through innovative approaches. It shows that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand and sets an important milestone in the event technology industry.

Circular economy in the event industry: the need for a sustainability management system

An effective sustainability management system is essential for the successful introduction of the circular economy in the event industry. This system enables event organizers to systematically implement, monitor and improve sustainable practices. It includes identifying and minimizing environmental footprints through waste reduction, resource reuse and recycling. It also supports compliance with environmental regulations and promotes transparency towards stakeholders.

A sustainability management system helps to ensure responsible procurement by prioritizing sustainable materials and suppliers. It also enables the quantification and communication of sustainability performance, which can be crucial for marketing and reputation. Furthermore, it promotes awareness and engagement of all stakeholders, from suppliers to attendees, supporting the creation of a holistically sustainable event culture. Overall, it is a crucial tool to steer the event industry towards a more sustainable and circular future.

Circular economy in the event industry: the key to sustainability.

The event industry is at a turning point where sustainability is no longer just an option, but a necessity. The implementation of circular economy principles is a crucial step towards a greener future.

Sustainable materials management:

The key is to use reusable or recyclable materials for stage set-ups, decorations and stands. Moving away from single-use materials to reusable systems for crockery and cutlery can significantly reduce waste.

Digital solutions:

Digitization plays a central role. Digital tickets, digital payment systems and programs can reduce paper waste, and digital advertising and communication are sustainable alternatives to conventional printed materials.

Energy efficiency:

The use of renewable energy sources such as solar energy and the use of highly efficient lighting and sound technology are key factors in reducing energy consumption at events.
Waste management: Establishing effective waste separation and recycling systems in cooperation with local recycling and composting companies is essential for sustainable waste disposal.

Food management:

The supply of locally sourced seasonal and organic food and strategies to reduce food waste are important aspects of sustainable food management.

Transportation and logistics:

Sustainable transportation options, short distances and low-CO2 means of transport are crucial for environmentally friendly logistics at events.

Water management:

The use of water-saving technologies and systems is particularly important for open-air events.

Resource-saving venues:

Choosing venues that offer all of the above plus sustainable management processes. Good access to public transportation as well as green energy is another important step.

Collaboration with sustainable partners: Working with suppliers and partners who are also committed to the principles of the circular economy strengthens the network and promotes shared responsibility.

Raising awareness:

Educating all stakeholders about sustainability and promoting environmentally conscious behavior are crucial to the success of sustainable measures.

Overall, these diverse approaches offer the event industry the opportunity to significantly reduce its ecological footprint, use resources more efficiently and make an active contribution to promoting the circular economy.
This not only leads to a more environmentally friendly industry, but also to a more economically sustainable and ethically responsible event industry in the long term.

About the author Robert Trebus

Director Global Sustainability, d&b solutions GmbH & Co. KG

Robert Trebus and his team are responsible for preparing the d&b Group's ESG/CSRD reports. Within the company, he manages the project groups for the circular economy, transformation to climate neutrality and the UN Global Compact. He is also a member of the working groups for sustainable events in important industry associations. Robert Trebus supports associations and artists in the creation of sustainability roadmaps. He is actively involved in political discussions on SMEs and sustainability at national and European level.

• Chairman DIN NA 159-01-08 - "Sustainable trade fair, congress and event services"
• Member ISO/PC 250 - Sustainable Event Management, ISO 20121:2023
• Member DIN NA159BR_N0832_CIRCULAR_THINKING_in_Standards
• Member ISO/TC 228 - Tourism and related services, Exhibition and Convention
• Co-Chair Sustainability Workgroup, AFME, Global Association For Electronic Music
• Member of the Circular Economy Alliance, Paris.
• Member of the European Remanufacturing Council, Brussels

About the initiative "16 Steps to 2025 - Towards a Climate-Neutral Event Industry

More about the initiative "16 Steps to 2025 - For a climate-neutral event industry" and the complete press release can be found at pressebox.de

> to the official press release - step 6

> Download press release - step 6

> to all press releases of Stefan Lohmann

> 16 Steps to 2025 - For a climate-neutral event industry

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