As part of our Mission Zero initiative and our ambition to minimise waste to landfill at the ESCRS Congress 2025, we are taking a comprehensive approach to waste management that includes eliminating harmful materials, increasing recycling, and choosing smarter, more circular alternatives.
For exhibition floor coverings, we have selected Expostyle by SOMMER Needlepunch, a single-use, yet recyclable, carpet that is Cradle to Cradle Certified®. This means it meets strict sustainability standards across five key areas: material health, material re-utilisation, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness. True to the colourful identity of ESCRS, the carpet will showcase the brand’s vibrant and recognisable palette on the show floor, highlighting how bold aesthetics and sustainability can work together seamlessly.
SOMMER Needlepunch manufactures all carpets in-house in France, which provides full control over composition and recyclability, while also ensuring quality, flexibility, and operational efficiency. According to a certified life cycle analysis by CD2E, recycling 74% of the carpet after use reduces its carbon footprint by nearly 50%, from 1.176 kgCO₂e/m² to 0.667 kgCO₂e/m².
After the Congress, the carpet will be transported from Bella Center Copenhagen to DESPRIET Plastic Recycling in Belgium, supporting circularity and responsible end-of-life management. From there, empty boxes will be sent back to the SOMMER factory in France, filled with new carpets, and returned to storage in Copenhagen – ensuring minimal transport impact and a closed-loop logistics system.
This decision directly supports our Towards Zero Waste KPIs: to eliminate 90% of single-use plastics, polystyrene, and PVC; reduce landfill waste to below 10% of total waste generated; and achieve a recycling rate of over 60% across all waste streams. Results related to waste diversion and recycling rates will be measured and reported in November 2025 as part of our post-Congress sustainability performance review.
ESCRS Congress 2024
Responsible water use is a shared commitment. Stay hydrated, reduce your footprint, and join us in making every drop count.
Copenhagen is known for its clean, high-quality tap water, which is sourced almost entirely from protected groundwater and enjoyed straight from the tap by residents and visitors alike. This reflects the city’s long-standing commitment to cautious water management and sustainable practices. While Denmark has an overall abundance of water, concerns such as groundwater contamination (e.g. from pesticides), limited access to new extraction areas, and regional droughts highlight the importance of continued vigilance and smart planning. These efforts are key to maintaining the high standards Copenhagen is proud of – now and into the future.
To promote responsible water use and reduce single-use plastics, more than 20 water refill stations will be installed throughout the event’s venue – Bella Center – during the ESCRS Congress 2025.
Don’t forget to you bring your reusable water bottle – it’s a small action that makes a big impact!
At the ESCRS Congress 2024 in Barcelona, this initiative helped prevent the use of over 71,000 single-use plastic bottles. It is a great example of how small, conscious choices paired with access to clean drinking water, can lead to significant environmental benefits.
This year, in Copenhagen, we have the chance to take this success even further. By choosing to refill our bottles, we can collectively reduce our negative impact and demonstrate how simple everyday actions can drive meaningful change at large-scale events. Stay hydrated!
Getting to and Around Copenhagen
Copenhagen offers one of the world’s most efficient public transport systems, making it easy for ESCRS Congress 2025 attendees to travel responsibly during the Congress.
From Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
The airport is just 15 minutes from the city centre:
- Metro/Train: The fastest option (3-zone ticket) runs every 4-6 minutes to Copenhagen Central Station and Bella Center (Congress venue)
- Bus 5A: Slightly slower alternative (35 minutes to city centre)
Public Transport Options
- City Pass: Unlimited travel covering metro, buses, trains and harbour buses
- Harbour Buses: 100% electric since 2020 – a scenic way to travel
- Biking: Extensive cycle lanes and rental options
To Bella Center
- Metro: 10 minutes from city centre
- Train: 7 minutes from Central Station (Ørestad Station)
Please note: ESCRS Congress 2025 attendees can purchase Copenhagen’s official Travel Passes at up to 80% discount, providing unlimited access to public transport, including journeys to/from the airport.
Waste Management: Towards Zero Waste
At ESCRS Congress 2025, waste management is a core part of our Mission Zero initiative. Together with Bella Center Copenhagen and our suppliers, we are working to minimise waste to landfill, improve recycling, and promote smarter use of materials.
Across the venue, a clear sorting system will help to separate waste into paper, plastics, compostables, deposit items, and general waste. Correct sorting ensures that valuable resources can be reused or recycled rather than discarded:
- Paper: clean paper bags only – no food stains or mixed materials.
- Plastic: clean plastic items without food or liquid residue.
- Composting: raw food only – no packaging, just leftovers.
- Deposit: bottles and cans marked with the deposit logo, which will be returned through Denmark’s national deposit system to be reused or recycled.
- General: food-contaminated or mixed-material items that cannot be recycled; these will be incinerated as the next stage of waste management.
Our approach extends behind the scenes too. The exhibition carpet is recyclable and processed through a closed-loop system. We use the Expostyle by SOMMER Needlepunch carpet, which is Cradle to Cradle Certified®, PVC-free, and reflects our commitment to avoiding harmful materials and supporting circular practices.
Our catering partners also help us to significantly reduce unnecessary waste by phasing out single-use plastics and improving recycling – this moves us closer to our goal of eliminating 90% of single-use plastics, polystyrene, and PVC. We are also committed to reducing waste sent to landfill to below 10% of total waste generated and to achieve a recycling rate of over 60% across all waste streams.
Every small action adds up – together we can achieve higher recycling rates and reduce what goes to landfill.