3 Ways to Incorporate Sustainability into Your Tradeshow Stall Setup
Tradeshows can be a fantastic opportunity to connect with new customers and partners, but they’re also notorious for waste. From single-use signage to bulky hire furniture that gets trucked across the country, there’s often a disconnect between brands’ sustainability values and their event presence.
At Cardboard Mill, we believe that being eco-conscious doesn’t mean compromising on creativity or impact. Here are three ways to make your tradeshow stall more sustainable — without losing your wow factor.
1. Use Cardboard for Your Event-Specific Pieces
Even if most of your setup is reusable, there's always a need for event-specific elements. This is where cardboard steps in as a hero material. Whether you’re promoting a new product or tailoring your messaging to a specific audience, cardboard signage, backdrops, walls, and custom props are ideal. They’re designed with the event in mind and made with the planet in mind, so you don’t have to feel guilty about single-use items. Plus, they’re lightweight, easy to transport, and 100% recyclable and compostable.
2. Make the Whole Setup Sustainable
If you're travelling interstate or exhibiting somewhere new, cardboard can replace the need for hiring furniture and shipping bulky setups. We can custom-make branded chairs, tables, product displays, shelving, and even walls — all from recycled, backyard-compostable cardboard. It’s the practical choice for travelling light and the ethical choice for businesses that value sustainability. Showing your customers that you walk the talk by avoiding plastic-heavy or landfill-bound materials reinforces your brand’s commitment to the environment.
3. Stand Out with Custom Cardboard Creations
Want to make a lasting impression? Go custom. Cardboard is endlessly versatile and can be transformed into just about anything. We’ve created show-stopping pieces like a plinth with integrated storage shaped like Lanolins' iconic moisturiser container, and a suspended giant replica of Fressko’s coffee cup — which became a photo-worthy backdrop for attendees and a regular feature in social posts from the event.
Another standout was our immersive setup for Sky Careers at the Avalon Airshow, which featured a full suite of custom creations — from giant cardboard books and clocks to other imaginative, larger-than-life props. Each piece was designed to spark curiosity, tell a story, and create a memorable experience for visitors.
These custom builds not only turn heads on the tradeshow floor but continue to generate visibility through every post, story, and tag long after the event wraps.
Sustainable doesn’t have to mean simple. With cardboard, you can elevate your presence, reduce your impact, and spark conversations that matter.
Got a tradeshow coming up?
Let’s chat about how we can help you create a memorable, low-impact setup that aligns with your brand values.
📩 Contact us here to get started.