Our Environmental Impact

We might be BIG, but we are determined to keep our impact on the environment small.

We redefine how a 522,000 square-foot venue operates as we welcome over 1.3 million visitors each year. Sustainability is a core priority of our business–and it’s the right thing to do. We foster a culture of environmental, economic and social sustainability that benefits our guests, clients, employees, community and planet.

The Edmonton EXPO Centre is a Greenkey Global Meetings certified and Climate Smart certified venue. Yearly benchmarks track and report our efforts to reduce our environmental impact in support of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Our sustainability strategy further extends into our community and our supply chain through ethical decision making. Our commitment to reduce our footprint ensures we responsibly source event resources and considers where materials go once we have finished using them.

If a venue our size can prioritize sustainability, why can’t everyone else?

For Planners: Designing Sustainable Events with Us

Watch this quick video to discover how you can play your part in a greener future at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.

Waste Management

In 2019, we diverted more than 86,000 kg of waste from landfill. This diverted waste includes:

More than

50000

of material such as paper, cardboard, bottles, cans and glass was recycled

More than

30000

of organic material was sent to be composted

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2019, we began calculating our carbon footprint to set targets that reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our carbon footprint means we are committed to reducing the total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, that are released into the atmosphere by our business activity.

We created a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan to reduce the carbon footprint of our venue. We’ve committed ourselves to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2025 and by 30% by 2035 (from 2018 levels).

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan

Supporting Local

Thirty-five percent of our food comes from local suppliers. This allows us to reinvest over $400,000 back into our local economy, support Edmonton-area producers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with food transportation.

Sustainable Food

Our Food & Beverage procurement process supports our local agri-food community. Our culinary team proudly incorporates local and plant-based menu options, bringing the highest quality of local ingredients to your table.

We work with food reclamation services like the Edmonton Food Bank’s Second Helping Program to donate excess food from events in order to reduce waste and feed our city’s vulnerable population.

Our food program extends to the roof of our building with two beehives that boast more than 50,000 bees at the peak of each season. The honey produced by our bees has its own unique flavour and, once harvested, adds a signature flavour to the meals we serve.

Journey to Zero Waste

The Edmonton EXPO Centre is starting its endeavor to become a certified Zero Waste Facility by Zero Waste Canada.

“Zero Waste is the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water or air that threaten the environment or human health.” – The Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA)

Why is Zero Waste Important at the EXPO Centre?

At the Edmonton EXPO Centre we want to take a holistic approach to our operations. Zero Waste is not just about minimizing our waste footprint, but it is also about making sure our decisions are not negatively impacting our environment and our community. We are rethinking the way we do business, choosing a more sustainable path forward.

It is about minimizing our impact as much as possible and caring for our community and our environment to ensure we all thrive together. Within our decision making, we are adopting the Zero Waste hierarchy to make sure we can take actions that will set us up for success in the long-term.

If you have any suggestions on how we could improve our practices, or have any questions regarding zero waste, please contact our Zero Waste Coordinator at sangoh@exploreedmonton.com

Edmonton EXPO Centre Powers Ahead in Sustainability

The Edmonton EXPO Centre is proud to take bold steps toward a sustainable future. As one of Western Canada’s largest event venues, the Edmonton EXPO Centre hosts a critical mass of major events each year, welcoming more than 1.5 million guests through our doors. In 2024, we combined efficiency improvements with the launch of in-house solar power generation, marking a major milestone in our greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction journey. 

2024 Highlights

  • A 20.09% reduction in GHG emissions compared to 2023.
  • Solar milestone: The Edmonton EXPO Centre produced over 2013.89 MWh of electricity through solar energy in 2024, equivalent to electricity used by 176 homes for one year, avoiding nearly 950 T CO₂e of emissions.
  • Explore Edmonton Corporation’s initial target of 30% emissions reduction was surpassed more than a decade early at 40.12%, with a new target of 50% by 2035.
  • 6720.9 MT CO₂e produced in 2024, well below 2020 levels when activity was minimal.
  • 15% reduction of GHGs in a single year (2023–2024).
  • Almost 50% reduction in Scope 2 emissions (purchased electricity) across Explore Edmonton Corporation since 2018.
  • 18.96 T CO₂e offset from air travel emissions through certified carbon offsets for the Edmonton EXPO Centre.

Why It Matters

By integrating renewable energy directly into our operations, the Edmonton EXPO Centre has shown that sustainable infrastructure can have immediate, measurable impact. This is a milestone in creating events that are both unforgettable and environmentally responsible.

Plan Your Sustainable Event

A strong partnership with your host venue allows you to grow a positive impact from your event without growing its environmental footprint.

Plan Your Sustainable Event