FREEMAN’S GREEN PHILOSOPHY
Freeman is committed to seeking ways to produce more environmentally-friendly events, and also
actively engages in green practices within their own day-to-day operations. In addition, Freeman
has and will partner with customers in a collaborative effort to help find ways to make their events
more eco-friendly.
GRASS ROOTS GREEN TEAMS
As part of Freeman’s overall cultural values, employee owners in 70 branch facilities across
North America are actively involved in fulfilling our Green philosophy. Company activities are
structured on a two-tier approach, with a Central Green Committee comprised of various
corporate and national branch representatives, and local branch Green champions who lead
Green Committee teams at their locations.
The Green team philosophy is to foster innovation and commitment from employee owners –
grass root efforts from the field. This approach allows Green teams to be creative and take
advantage of local opportunities. The local committees test and feed successful innovations up
to the Central committee, who in turn provides access and shared information to other offices for
implementation. In addition, the Central committee establishes standard and best practices for
company-wide eco-friendly practices.
IN OUR OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS
RECYCLING USED PRODUCTS
Through our national vendor partners, we
have arranged for the responsible recycling
of many of our office and business-related
products in branch offices across North
America, including:
• Paper
• Toner cartridges
• Printers
• Computers
• Cell Phones
• Copier machines
• Glass, aluminum cans and plastic
(where service is available)
PURCHASING RECYCLED PRODUCTS
Through national agreements with vendor partners, Freeman currently purchases over 200
different types of office supplies and other building supply materials that contain a minimum of
10% Post Consumer Recycled Content, or are classified as re-manufactured, non-toxic, and/or
biodegradable. Some of the wide ranges of these products include:
• Copier and printer paper
• Office file folders
• Paper pads
• Shipping materials
• Envelopes
• Drinking cups and other break room
supplies
ENERGY EFFICIENCIES
In addition, we seek out green practices in new lease negotiations with building management,
including recycling programs and energy-efficient construction and operations. For example,
Freeman’s corporate office recently moved into a facility with features such as climatecontrolled window tinting and motion-sensor lighting fixtures throughout to minimize use of
electricity; energy-efficient plumbing fixtures throughout the facility; and eco-friendly recycling
practices in food preparation and waste reduction by the building’s restaurant vendor (at
Freeman’s request).
PAPERLESS ORDER ENTRY
As a green initiative within company operations, Freeman has implemented a digital order entry
system for exhibitor orders. The system uses document management software to manage and
store advance orders electronically, so that faxed exhibitor orders can be directly converted into
PDF digital files. The paperless order entry system significantly reduces paper consumption and
allows for all orders to be stored in a document database, both in advance and at show site.
The system is currently being used by the Freeman offices in Anaheim, Dallas, Chicago, Las
Vegas and Orlando, and will be rolled out to other branches this year. Freeman estimates that
more than 200,000 orders will be processed digitally in 2009, resulting in an estimated savings
of 600,000 sheets of paper.
STANDARD EVENT PRODUCTION
EXHIBITOR SERVICE MANUALS
One of Freeman’s largest inventories of
printed materials, both 4-color and black and
white, is due to the production of exhibitor
service manuals. Continued enhancement of
our online exhibitor services product, Freeman
OnLine®, as well as increased customer
acceptance of online service ordering, has
resulted in its usage doubling each year for the
past three years.
Freeman strongly
encourages show managers to provide show
service ordering through Freeman OnLine® in
lieu of printed paper service manuals, which
greatly reduces the amount of paper and
plastic products necessary to produce events.
During the past three years, Freeman has been successful in reducing the production of paper
printed service manuals in half, eliminating an estimated 24 million sheets of paper, through the
alternative use of electronic service manuals.
CARPET AND RELATED PRODUCTS
Freeman has created a unique manufacturing
partnership resulting in the recycling of over 44
million square feet of used aisle carpet since
June 2006. This very successful innovative
industry program recycles used carpet into
drainage pipe for septic systems, dramatically
reducing land-fill waste, and assuring show
managers that the massive quantities of carpet
used at their events is not only “recyclable”,
but actually is recycled in quantities that have
a true impact.
In 2008, Freeman received Trade Show Executive magazine’s Innovation Award for their
significant impact in waste reduction of events through this carpet recycling effort.
In addition, existing carpet recycling practices continue with higher-end custom carpet being reused or re-sold into use in affordable rental housing applications, as well as for the manufacture
of pet-related products.
Carpet padding used by Freeman contains 100% recycled foam material, and Freeman also
offers plastic carpet covering (visqueen) which contains between 50% and 75% recycled
content.
FURNISHINGS
• Freeman offers exhibitors the option of a cardboard-style wastebasket made of
recycled natural products, instead of plastic wastebaskets. In addition, experimentation
continues to find a suitable biodegradable product for table top covers and wastebasket
liners, in lieu of plastic.
• Freeman uses table top plastic that contains 20-40% recycled content.
• Freeman offers vinyl drape made from material that contains 20-40% recycled content.
ALUMINUM SYSTEM EQUIPMENT
Freeman uses modular structural systems
made of recycled aluminum, which can
then be recycled and extruded back into
new components after use if it is in its
natural finish. Freeman has also recently
found a recycler that can process this
aluminum once it has been powder-coated
(for color), and they in turn can recycle that
aluminum for other uses. The volume of
aluminum that is recycled into new
components each year is well over 500,000
pounds.
SUSTAINABLE RENTAL EXHIBITS
Freeman offers customers the opportunity to rent sustainable exhibits at a competitive price.
With a contemporary, flexible design, the exhibits are composed of recyclable materials that can
also be recycled. The exhibit panels are made Forest Stewardship Council certified hardwood
plywood, available in cherry or ash. The sustainably harvested MDF-core plywood panels are
formaldehyde-free and earn one point toward LEED’s EQ Credit 4.4 for low emitting materials.
The aluminum extrusions are made of 85% recycled content and are 100% recyclable, as is the
exhibit header identification sign. The carpet in the sustainable exhibits is also environmentallyfriendly, containing 25% recycled content and is recyclable. And, through a UV printing system,
Freeman can offer customers 100% recyclable graphics panels.
FABRICATION FACILITY RECYCLING
Freeman’s central fabrication facility not only recycles aluminum exhibit components, but
also recycles the great majority of all steel metal waste components used in the construction
of custom exhibits and other marketing environments.
GRAPHICS PRODUCTION
Freeman is impacting the reduction of
graphics panel post-show waste in several
ways:
1. By producing graphic artwork on a
special opaque material, it can be mounted
on a substrate (such as PVC panel units)
that has been used previously. Through
training and communication with show site
work force, graphics panels are collected
at show site and returned to
local
Freeman branch offices, where they are
stripped and re-used on average of 4 to 5
times with new graphic artwork.
2. Freeman is seeking to reduce the use of one-time substrate materials such as foam
core in favor of re-useable materials.
3.
Freeman actively encourages show
management to utilize show graphic
designs
with generic content (ie.
eliminate the year of that show on the
artwork), so that the graphics can be
stored and re-used from show to show.
This can apply to a large amount of
graphics design areas if considered in
advance, including registration, aisle
signs,
offices,
special
show
management exhibit areas, etc., and can
effectively support the event’s brand
identity while greatly reducing waste
after the event.
4. At this time, Freeman is actively encouraging national manufacturers of large-format
graphics production machines to develop eco-solvent ink products for future use. We
are currently providing support for one of the largest such manufacturers in a beta-test
program using experimental “green” solvent inks.
CERTIFIED SMARTWAY TRANSPORT PARTNER FOR EXHIBIT TRANSPORTATION
Freeman’s exhibit transportation service is certified as a member of the EPA SmartWay
Transport® Partner program. This is an innovative program established by the
Environmental Protection Agency that recognizes Partners for setting and achieving
greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals in freight transport.
Freeman currently ships 88 percent of its exhibit transportation client freight using SmartWay
Partners. In addition, our transportation group has established goals to transfer additional
business to qualified SmartWay Partners.
A primary goal for Freeman’s exhibit
transportation services is to continue to increase our own SmartWay Partner score by
selecting quality carriers who use eco-friendly operational practices with regard to freight
transportation.
VEHICLE EMISSIONS AT SHOWS
While subject to local facility operating
codes for vehicles, Freeman is able to use
over 70% LP natural gas (propane) fuel for
forklifts, carts, and other vehicles as
opposed to gasoline. The use of natural LP
gas not only improves safety, but also
lowers the overall toxicity of the air quality.
USE OF A/V PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGY
Through the audio visual services division of Freeman, many events can utilize A/V
technology to communicate information instead of directional and agenda graphics signage,
which also reduces waste. For example, digital plasma and LCD screens posted outside the
meetings rooms can display the schedule and activities taking place in that room, and also
can be changed quickly in case of last minute room re-assignments.
OPTIONAL OFFERINGS TO EVENT PRODUCERS & EXHIBITORS
In addition to Freeman’s standard green practices, we have partnered with specific event
managers seeking new and innovative eco-friendly products and procedures not normally used
in today’s production stream for events. In these and other specific cases, Freeman has
provided innovative ideas and optional production materials and techniques that can be offered
on a selective basis, with great success.
EVENT-SPECIFIC SUCCESS STORIES
Natural Products Expo
Eco-friendly exhibit booth options as well as other innovative green practices were offered as
part of an overall comprehensive program for the Natural Products Expo shows, produced by
New Hope Media. The comprehensive approach to these events is only made possible by a full
commitment from all parties involved, including show management, the exhibitors and
attendees, as well as the service contractor and the facility.
The success thus far of the following products and practices used on these events, currently
only available on a limited basis as special order, is encouraging. While they are currently often
more expensive, require longer lead times to order, and are often only available in limited
quantities, we are hopeful that, as demand increases, so will the mainstream production
availability of these and other similar eco-friendly products and practices, which included:
• Biodegradable wastebasket liner bags and table-top covers. The biodegradable
materials can be used as compost and replace typical Polyethylene materials.
• Muslin and other all-cotton drape for exhibit back wall and side rail drape. (Muslin is
produced from cotton)
• Bamboo panel inserts for the modular systems, used to create entrance units,
registration counters, exhibits, and show management offices. The bamboo panels are
sustainable, as they have a growth cycle of less than 5 years, and are produced using
low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) glues and binders.
• Low VOC paints and stains that are derived from raw materials such as Casein Milk
Solids, Lime, Clay and Cellulose are available as special ordered products.
• Banner material that has water-based components, and do not contain extractable
heavy metals or carcinogenic and allergenic colorants.
• Environmentally-friendly exhibit packages, which are produced using the materials
described above. This option provides exhibitors a complete environmentally-friendly
exhibiting option.
• Freeman can often seek and coordinate arrangements to offer recycling containers for
use by attendees and exhibitors to reduce the cost of waste produced by an event. This
will involve partnerships between the facility, the show organizer, and the show site
cleaning services team.
World of Concrete
For the 2009 World of Concrete Show in Las
Vegas, show organizer Hanley Wood and
Freeman partnered to provide a historic
recycling of post-show materials--in total,
Freeman was able to help Hanley Wood
recycle 93% of all post-show waste collected
at the 2009 World of Concrete, including over
4 tons of concrete.
McDonald’s Worldwide Convention
For the 2008 McDonald’s Worldwide Convention, Freeman designed, produced—and grew—a
special exhibit area to educate over 15,000 franchise owners and managers from around the
world about McDonald’s sustainability practices and programs in their Supply Chain
Management exhibit area. This exhibit was part of the corporate event that utilized over
750,000 sq ft of exhibit and general session space at the Orange County Convention Center
(OCCC).
The 30,000 square foot Supply Chain exhibit
contained real crops that had been grown for
several months prior to the show, then
carefully transported and re-planted live for the
e vent. After the event, the crops were sent to
a processing plant for mulch, and the OCCC
salvaged the soil and mulch from the exhibit to
use on their own facility grounds.
In addition, the exhibits were designed and
constructed of eco-friendly materials, without
losing any of the dramatic environmental
appearance, including:
• Cork composite flooring which is both
renewable and manufactured in a green
process
• Freeman recycled and recyclable aluminum
structural components and furnishings that
were returned to inventory for re-use.
• Sustainable harvested Plyboo for all
counters and wood areas
This was just one of 70 exhibit areas where McDonald’s and Freeman project managers
worked together to include sustainable and eco-friendly production methods wherever
possible, and also assigned “Green Zone” captains on move-out to coordinate salvage and
recycling of products that had been identified during the event pre-planning stages.
Terex
When Terex asked Freeman to partner with them to create their massive 50,000 sq. foot
outdoor exhibit at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008, part of the overall goal was to reduce the
footprint created by the construction of one of the largest temporary exhibits created in the
world. Freeman was able to successfully recycle over 127 tons of steel used in the
construction, over 250 tons of gravel, over 95% of the carpet, and 1,200 linear feet of
modular exhibit wall panel systems used to construct offices inside the 3-story 20,000 sq.
foot “office building” that housed over 400 Terex staff during the event.
National Hardware Show
®
When the 2008 National Hardware Show , featuring Lawn & Garden World™, Homewares™
and New Product World™, closed its doors at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 88 percent of
the materials collected post-show were recycled or diverted from landfills through a partnership
between Freeman and show organizer Reed Exhibitions.
Through Freeman’s recycling coordination program, the final reports received by the recycler
recorded 148.79 tons of post-show waste collected at show site. Over 88%, or 130.8 tons of that
waste was able to be recycled, once separated and sorted. Specifically, 28.2 tons of paper and
cardboard, 17.8 tons of carpet padding, and 11.5 tons of plastic, among other materials, were
recycled or salvaged for other use.
Additionally, Reed and Freeman teamed up for the fourth year in a row to encourage and
facilitate exhibitors’ donation of leftover products and displays to a charity for developmentally
disabled adults called Opportunity Village. These donated items were sold in a silent auction, or
placed in the Opportunity Village thrift store. The NHS team partnered with Freeman in getting
the items collected at show site by volunteers, loaded onto multiple trailers, and delivered to
Opportunity Village.
Freeman Green Update April 17, 2009
901 E South St
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 254-3410 Fax: (714) 490-0801
FreemanAnaheimES@freemanco.com
ENVIRONMENTAL EXHIBITS
ENVIRONMENTAL 1A
Pictured Above with Cherry Panels
ENVIRONMENTAL 1B
Pictured Above with Ash Panels
ENVIRONMENTAL 2A
Pictured Above
with Ash Panels
ENVIRONMENTAL 2B
Pictured Above
with Cherry Panels
Press Releases
Freeman Receives Innovation Award For Carpet Recycling
07/11/08
DALLAS — Thanks to a creative companywide program for carpet recycling, Freeman has received the 2008
Innovation Award from Trade Show Executive. The award recognizes companies that are making waves,
defying traditions and creating new value for exhibitors, attendees and the exposition as a whole.
As of June 2008, Freeman had recycled over 40 million square feet of worn-out aisle carpeting used at trade
shows since beginning its innovative partnership with a drainage pipe manufacturer in 2006. The
manufacturer picks up Freeman's used aisle carpet from its central warehouse depot in Dallas, and
repurposes the carpeting into plastic pipes for septic systems. Due to its sheer bulk and chemical makeup,
saving the carpeting from the landfill has a significant environmental impact.
Freeman also continues to recycle higher-end custom carpet for residential applications and for the
manufacturing of pet-related products.
The sheer volume of Freeman's recycling efforts was a key factor in the judges' decision. The companywide
program relieves show managers from making recycling decisions on a show-to-show basis.
Freeman's carpet recycling program is one part of the company's overall commitment to seeking out ways to
produce events that are more eco-friendly.
"The trade show industry leaves a huge imprint on the environment due to its temporary nature," says Will
Clarkson, senior vice president, operations for Freeman. "Freeman is committed to lessening that impact,
and we are proud that our carpet recycling program is setting the pace for the entire industry in its green
efforts."
Freeman takes many other steps to make shows greener, including, among other initiatives, recycling
aluminum from exhibits, using reusable backing for signage, offering biodegradable trash bags and running
forklifts on propane rather than gasoline.
About Freeman
Freeman is the world's leading provider of integrated services for face-to-face marketing events, including
expositions, conventions, corporate events, and exhibits. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas
and has offices in 41 cities across North America. Freeman produces over 3,900 expositions annually,
including 103 of the largest 200 U.S. trade shows, and over 10,000 other events worldwide. Founded in
1927, the company remains privately held by the Freeman family as well as the full-time employee owners
through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).