Sustainability: choice, alternative or duty? While a large part of society still questions the future of the earth while watching the battles of the young environmentalist Greta Thunberg from afar, the fashion world shows its sensitivity to environmental issues by mobilizing itself, which is witnessed by significant collective actions such as adhering to Macron’s "Fashion Pact" or advocating a greater environmental consciousness on the popular and very much talked-about catwalks of Milan Fashion Week.
The consequences of climate change and the phenomena that are upsetting our planet are a serious concern for the sector. As a major polluter and exploiter of global resources, the fashion industry is required to reconsider the importance of the environment and to make a creative effort to pursue sustainable projects.
Perfect combination of ecological, ethical and economic aspects, the new approach adopted by the fashion world points very clearly to the direction the sector is taking and will continue to take over the next few years. Such environment-friendly context is the ideal framework for Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags, international events dedicated to volume footwear and leather goods that are gradually engaging in the struggle.
Riva del Garda Fierecongressi is the first exhibition and congress organization in Italy to have adopted a sustainable event management system (ISO standard 20121: 2013). What are the tangible projects based on environmental ethics,
waste recycling and fight against waste that Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags have implemented so far? And what experiences, among the many told during the June editions by the exhibitors, stood
out for their creativity and environmental sensitivity?
THE COMMITMENT OF THE FAIR
The opening talks of the 2019 summer edition witnessed the launch of sustainable projects as a useful tool for the entire industry chain to compete on the international market. In this scenario, Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags have chosen to make sustainability a supporting philosophy that can be adapted not only to buildings and structures used for the exhibition, but to the events themselves.
The innovative figure of the Sustainability Manager, the establishment of a work table dedicated to design and development in the realm of sustainability, the use of an environmentally friendly heating system,
the responsible redevelopment of the exhibition spaces as the only option, the fight against food waste, the use of objects produced with recyclable materials and the involvement of exhibitors, visitors, partners and suppliers in the endeavour to share a culture of sustainability. All this witnesses how the two events set the example in terms of good practices.
In particular, the latest edition of Expo Riva Schuh has seen the trade fair shoulder the collection of all the waste produced by the event (shoe samples, stand components, carpet) to ensure
a more accountable and accurate disposal at the end of the fair.
THE EXHIBITORS’ COMMITMENT
Some Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags exhibitors seem to aspire to ethical and sustainable goals that positively impress for their strong communion of goals with the fair. Among the many experiences collected and worthy of being
picked up and told by the fair, those of companies producing 100% ecological footwear made with cotton and natural rubber stand out. But not only: craftsmanship-oriented companies are also noteworthy especially if linked to the improvement
of work and living conditions of a territory. There are innovative companies that employ the tropical plant Elephant Ear as an important resource for manufacturing eco-friendly shoes and accessories,
along with companies that produce soles using recycled material and companies that have gone vegan without using materials nor substances of animal origin.
TRUTH, DARE AND… SHARE
Encouraging and sharing with all its stakeholders a vision that combines ecological, ethical and economic aspects for the good of a planet that, between scepticism and immobility, tries to survive and to look ahead: this is the new challenge faced by fair as it strongly believes in the effectiveness of small steps and of communication. That's why our next sustainability story could be you. Write to info@exporivaschuh.it to tell us about it and share your personal commitment for a more conscious fashion and a more conscious world with Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags.
