3 Ways to Run an Eco-Friendly Pop-Up

We all need to make some serious changes over the next 12 years to save the environment. This means businesses have to make more of an effort to work in a greener way. This includes planning any pop-up projects with sustainability in mind.

Doing so can be great for business, as well as the environment. Consumers are becoming more aware of their purchasing power. Many are even willing to pay a premium for items produced by an eco brand.

So by showing you care about the environment with your pop-up, you might even be able to boost your bottom line. Below, we’ll outline 3 of the best ways you can make your next pop-up more environmentally friendly.

1. Give single-use plastics a miss

Modern plastic has only been around for 60–70 years. And yet, we’ve already produced 8.3 billion tonnes of it. When you consider that almost all of this still exists in some form, it’s clear that we have a major crisis on our hands. Most businesses could be doing more to help. So, when you’re making plans for your eco-friendly pop-up, see how you can swap plastic items for more sustainable options.

For example, consider giving plastic bags a miss. A person will only use a plastic bag for an average of 12 minutes. But they’re expected to take at least 500 years to degrade in a landfill. Think about offering your customers a paper or canvas tote bag instead.

If your pop-up sells food, it’s also important to think about the packaging. A lot of food cartons, coffee cups, and disposable cutlery will take centuries to break down. But more and more manufacturers are producing environmentally conscious options. Look out for the likes of bamboo and biodegradable alternatives.

2. Consider renting furniture and equipment

Is your pop-up going to be a one-off or a regular thing? If you aren’t 100% sure, it’s worth renting your furniture and equipment instead of buying it. This will help you get a sense of what you need before fully committing to a particular style of furniture or type of equipment. You’ll greatly reduce the risk of buying brand new pieces that are likely to just go to waste.

If you do decide to buy certain items, invest in the highest quality you can afford. This will help ensure your essentials last as long as possible. When you do need to get rid of anything, look into donating or recycling rather than sending it to landfill. This will help to keep your environmental impact to a minimum.

3. Make sure your equipment is energy-efficient

It’s vital to put time and effort into reducing the amount of energy you use. One of the best ways you can do this with a pop-up is by investing in the most energy-efficient equipment and appliances. This should go a long way to limiting the amount of electricity your pop-up uses.

You might also want to power your eco-friendly pop-up with renewable energy. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. After all, you might be setting up in an existing retail unit or running a stall at a food festival. Still, you might be able to power your operation with portable solar panels or electricity from a renewable energy supplier.

Go green and thrive

The planet is dealing with a climate change crisis, and issues related to plastic are becoming very clear. Business owners must put more of a focus on going green. These tips should help to ensure your next pop-up is as sustainable as possible.

Author: Mike Hardman is from the professional kitchen appliance supplier Alliance Online. He hopes you’ve enjoyed these top tips for making your pop-up more eco-friendly.