The idea is simple: we work together to achieve a 10% cut in the UK's carbon emissions in 2010. From village post offices to City skyscrapers, everyone's invited.
Cutting 10% in one year is a bold target, but for most of us it's an achievable one, and is in line with what scientists say we need right now. And by Apex Exhibition Designs signing up to a 10% target we're not just supporting 10:10 - we're making it happen.
The success of 10:10 depends on getting everyone involved, and the 10:10
website (http://www.1010global.org/uk) has all the tools you need to pass the message on far and wide. We need to start spreading the word to every corner of the country, inviting our friends, family, colleagues, customers, competitors - everyone we know - to take part.
It's easy to feel powerless in the face of a huge problem like climate change, but by uniting large numbers of people and institutions around immediate, effective and achievable action, 10:10 enables all of us to make a meaningful difference.
It's the perfect opportunity to find out what's possible when we work together.
10:10 is about putting aside our differences to tackle the defining challenge of our age. 10:10 is about working together and raising our game. 10:10 is an idea whose time has come. We've started - please join us.
Even before committing to 10:10, at Apex we have always aimed to be more efficient in our use of materials and recycle more things more often. This helps to minimise landfill, reduce carbon emissions and improve our environment.
Here are just a few ideas we have utilised for exhibition stands:
- We print graphics direct to substrate
- Encourage the use of Modular stands, over and over.
- Fibre mixed carpets can be turned into wheelie bins and plant pots
- Carpet Tiles - these can be reused!
- Timber from well managed forests - Forest Stewarding Council approval
- Re-use bespoke elements of the stand at future events
- LED energy efficient lighting uses substantially less power than ordinary candescent bulbs.
- Use volatile organic compound-free adhesives
- Use 'Green' water-based paints
- Recycled cardboard panel displays
- Recycled plastic sheet for worktops.
Here are some other ideas we encourage our clients to consider:
- Give away seed packets (branded) as a gift - for example, recyclable packets, with nasturtium seeds which grow into plants with edible leaves and flowers
- Display an ice sculpture of a polar bear - highlights issue of global warming, melting icecap, and the need to protect natural resources.
- No printed marketing materials - use CD or Memory Stick
- Give away tree saplings - emphasises offset CO2 message
- Use of email and teleconferencing
- Stay close. Use a hotel that's within walking distance of the venue or has good access via public transport.
- Switch off. Ensure that energy saving techniques are employed on the stand, encourage everyone to turn off all electrical devices at the end of each day.