It was a pleasure for us to organise and lead the Sustainability Zone for the Scotland's Trade Fair Spring and Speciality Food and Drink show at the SEC in Glasgow, from 19th to the 21st January 2025.
It was a whirlwind of positivity and laughter among like-minded people from the moment we decided to create this zone. Setting up the zone on Friday 17th January with the aim to bring companies together to see inspiring examples of what good looks like, sample some of the excellent products companies had to offer and then dismantle the stand after 3 thoroughly exciting and inspiring days.
How this Zone came about
13 years ago Gavin first met Mark Saunders, the show director and MD at Springboard Events when our kids were playing in a minis rugby team. Mark had us in stiches with his outstanding match reports featuring the 'Chainsaw' and 'Dumptruck' who were actually 5 year old's playing in freezing conditions. A chance meeting last year brought us back together to create the first sustainability zone.
“We were delighted to partner up with Think Partnership this year. For some time now we have noticed that sustainability has become a key ingredient in the grid that buyers are looking at when they are sourcing products. We had been considering for a while how to incorporate sustainability into the show in a meaningful way and with Think we have found a way to help both exhibitors and buyers consider how they can create their own sustainable growth pathways by providing useful help and support to them. There is lots more to do and we look forward to developing these ideas in future years. “ Mark Saunders, Show Director, Scotland’s Trade Fairs
Assembling the stand
Local Callander engineer, Neil Wilson was instrumental in helping us to put the stand together, providing support with setup and donating the clamps used to safely attach the sign to the exhibition stand. Celebrating sign installation here with Ray.
From the outset, we felt it was important to highlight circularity, both to inspire and to keep cost and carbon footprint to a minimum. In creating a sign made from old barley sacks and paint donated by Amy Britton, it cost nothing other than imagination and our time in freezing conditions in early January – Thanks again Amy!
How to attach the bags to the stand sustainably?
When the sign was complete, we still had to decide how best to attach the sign to the stand in keeping with circular principles. Fortunately Neil had a selection of clamps dating back 30 years or more from his workshop he was able to lend us, returning to be used for their primary use afterwards.
The Sustainability Zone made possible with support of Smurfit Westrock
Of course, any event of this scale involves time, cost and materials and this was no different. Thanks to Smurfit Westrock who kindly agreed to be the zone sponsor, we were able to put a 15 metre stand together involving 7 organisations that served to highlight sustainability stories. Their own story is impressive with them reducing their C02 emissions by 44% since 2005 which is no small achievement for a global organisation of their size and scale.
Hamed Ahmed at Smurfit Westrock said afterwards "It' was a pleasure to be supporting this event. We've always had a focus on collaborating with our customers to develop sustainable packaging solutions which are planet friendly as well as compatible with our customers specific operations and supply chains. We were delighted to take part in the Sustainability Zone and exchanging sustainability ideas and solutions with those attending the show".
Hearing from the other companies in the Sustainability Zone
The companies exhibiting in the zone included Taste of Arran who were serving samples of delicious ice cream, and our favourite - blue cheese on oat cakes with a delightful chutney. Alastair Dobson showcased his Energy monitoring system, provided by another Ayrshire based company, Booth Welsh, helping Alastair keep a real-time view on his energy usage, emissions and performance of his Solar array renewable energy system.
Owner at Secret Garden Distillery Imogen Armstrong joined us in the zone with Layla Brown who have always put sustainability at the heart of their business.
Imogen commented "I really appreciate you asking us to showcase our journey in the
Sustainability Zone at the Scotland Specialty Food and Drink event.
We had a good time, and it was such a great group! You guys are building a great community."
Britton Scotland showcased their Re-use Collection
Amy Britton exhibited some of her Reuse collection, designed and handmade in Scotland. A range of products made from waste materials. They are repurposed materials that would have been a wasted resource reimagined into everyday practical products.
A testament to a meaningful step towards a sustainable future inspired by preserving Scotland’s landscape. Laptop bags made from Wind Turbine covers provided by Orsted and Fire Hoses donated by Emergency One along with Lifting Straps donated by Forth Ports. A collection of stylish and practical products on display.
Ann Carter from Purple Sage Soap also exhibited some of her award winning products.
"I'm Ann, the owner and founder and
soap-making & gardening are the two
passions in my life. So, put them
together and you get Purple Sage
Soap!
Growing my own botanicals in the
beautiful Scottish Borders, I use all of
my flowers, herbs, vegetables, fruit and
wildflowers in and on my soaps for a
truly unique and sustainable bar!"
EarthSelf - Emiel's Food Forest
Heather MacNab pictured here represented Emiel's Food Forest. They demonstrated the important role the forest has as one of Scotland’s first community food forests. By weaving ecological restoration with sustainable food production it will create a thriving ecosystem that fosters biodiversity, strengthens community connections, and inspires a student-led food forest movement across Scotland, helping to create a Nature Positive Scotland
Dumfries and Galloway College also joined us saying:
"We were proud to support the Sustainability Zone at Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring, which highlights the vital role of sustainable practices in shaping the future of
business."
"Sustainability is central to our mission, reflected in initiatives like our Net Zero Skills Centre and our collaboration with Think Partnership on the Sustainable Business Growth and leadership Programme, equipping future leaders to drive positive change across Scotland".
The Sustainable Business Directory is online!
Companies have been registering and adding their stories to the site, a legacy that continues after the show. Please register your company and story here, there is no cost for this.
Finally, let's not forget why we created the Zone
It's best said by those taking part...
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