AWFS fair destroys responsibly

The AWFS fair's recycling program, a cooperative effort involving WEIMA America, the Las Vegas Convention Center and Freeman, the association’s show general contractor, reduced bulk waste from trade show exhibitors once sent to landfill by a 6-to-1 ratio.

Wood scrap was also shredded into ground cover for Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit organization that provides a safe haven for animals that live in the wild.

WEIMA America, an AWFS exhibitor that manufactures shredding, grinding and briquetting equipment, provided the show with a WL13 shredding system, which was in constant operation during show hours, grinding all of the demonstration wood scrap as well as discarded shipping or packing materials used by exhibitors.

“Everyone really got behind the program this year,” AWFS executive vice president Angelo Gangone said in a statement. “As an industry, we are committed to reducing waste, and the recycling program at the show gives us a way to help deserving nonprofits as well.”