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!