Sustainability at Heart of 2022 International Roofing Expo

The International Roofing Expo (IRE) is leading the way in incorporating sustainability, as parent company Informa aims to become a zero-waste and net-zero carbon business by 2030. 

For the 2022 show, which takes place Feb. 1–3 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (ENMCC) in New Orleans, badges will be digital. 

If attendees would like a physical badge, it can be printed on recycled stock paper and clipped to a sustainably sourced lanyard. 

In an additional effort to reduce waste, there will be no printed show guides or floor plans. 

ENMCC will have recycling cans for the show floor, lobbies and outside all meeting rooms. There will also be recycling cans inside meeting rooms and IRE-contracted spaces. 

IRE is requesting to have all leftover food composted. At ENMCC, Centerplate composts all kitchen waste. 

IRE is also requesting a recycling stream of pallets and cardboard, which is a part of ENMCC’s sustainability initiatives. 

The premier roofing and exteriors event requests convention centers to monitor and track the volume of waste and recycling, which is already a part of ENMCC’s LEED certification. 

These initiatives have been put in place to focus on waste diversion rate and divert as much waste from the show from the NOLA landfills as possible. 

There will be no carpets in the expo hall aisles and show areas. 

IRE is working with Informa's Sustainability Manager Bethany Jenkins to convert a portion of the electricity used into renewable electricity. 

"IRE is the premier roofing and exteriors event—and sustainability will be at the heart of it," Group Show Director Ray Giovine said. "From reducing paper waste to giving back to the community, IRE is doing its part to make the show eco-friendly." 

Giving back 

An additional part of IRE’s sustainability plans includes its annual Community Service Day. 

Each year IRE partners with Rebuilding Together to make critical home repairs for those in need. 

As part of the 13th annual Community Service Day on Jan. 31, 2022, IRE will be giving $10,000 to Rebuilding Together New Orleans in addition to collecting donations and replacing roofs in the area. 

Interested parties can sign up to volunteer when registering to attend the IRE. 

The volunteer registration fee includes transportation, breakfast, lunch and beverages. 

Informa's sustainability's efforts

"The Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) as it is also known, is one of the most significant global and independent rankings of companies based on how well they perform on non-financial measures, specifically when it comes to Environmental, Social and Governance matters," Informa Group CEO Stephen Carter said. "In Sustainability, Informa has made steady progress since 2014, gradually building up our capabilities and performance, and giving this area an even greater focus and acceleration under the FasterForward program launched in 2020. 

"Our accreditations and rankings have steadily improved as well, and it is fantastic to announce that we have just achieved our highest ever DJSI score and, for the first time, been ranked top of our sector for sustainability globally," he added.