NRF Sustainability

How Retail’s Big Show will Make it Matter

NRF is dedicated to reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustainability throughout Retail’s Big Show.

• Community impact: Through the JavitsCares program, exhibit materials such as furniture and household items will be diverted from the landfill and donated to local nonprofit organizations. Food rescue programs are in place to help the community fight food insecurity.
• Scholarships & mentorship: The NRF Foundation, NRF's nonprofit 501(c)(3), connects people to the retail industry. NRF awards more than a half-million dollars in college scholarships each year, helping undergraduates erase debt and gain real-world experience. Our virtual and in-person programming includes hiring events and insights from industry experts that help the next generation of talent launch careers.
• Vendor procurement & sustainability guides: We have implemented internal supply vetting systems for NRF 2024 and have provided exhibitors with best practices to reduce the environmental impact of the Expo.
• Offsetting the show’s footprint: We are partnering with AQ Green to provide a carbon offset program that allows the community to offset travel to New York.
• Plastic waste reduction: We will not offer or sell beverages in plastic bottles. Instead, individual beverages will be available in aluminum, glass or boxed containers.
• Content: NRF 2024 offers Sustainability/Corporate Social Responsibility focused sessions to build greater purpose in the world we operate in.

Building a Sustainable Event Together

Partnership plays a vital role in our sustainability success, and we rely on the support of attendees, exhibitors and key partners like the Javits Center, Freeman, Honeycomb Strategies and others to make the event more environmentally sustainable. Like all retailers, NRF is working with our suppliers to improve our own sustainability efforts, focusing on circularity and supply chain.

How Exhibitors Make it Matter

Create a lasting impact at Retail’s Big Show by participating in the NRF Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge. Small actions like waste reduction, water and energy conservation, and sustainable procurement can make a significant difference when embraced by all exhibitors. Consult with Freeman on your Expo orders — Freeman has its own commitment to net zero carbon by 2050, and to reduce GHG emissions by 50% this year. With both ISO 14001 and ISO 20121 certifications, Freeman is there to help guide you through sustainable offerings.

NRF has partnered with Freeman, the Javits Center and Honeycomb Strategies to offer a donation program that will serve the local community. See the JavitsCares Donation Program for more details.

How Attendees Make it Matter

You won’t need to go out of your way to be sustainable at Retail’s Big Show. Learn about the easy ways you can make an individual impact on the show’s sustainability efforts.

• Recycling made simple: Waste is sorted by landfill and recycling. Ensure that you are making it matter by using the correct bin when discarding items.
• Reuse & reduce: Bring a reusable water bottle or coffee mug to reduce your waste and resources footprint.
• Be energy smart: Remember to turn off lights when leaving your hotel room and participate in your hotel’s Linen Reuse Program, which will also conserve water.
• Sustainability Lounge: Visit the Sustainability Lounge located on Expo Level 1 for sustainable food options and a comfortable place to sit and network.
• Moderate consumption and eat mostly plant-based foods: Take only what you need at food functions and choose to eat vegetarian at least one meal per day. This will help reduce carbon emissions associated with food production.
• Carbon emissions and offsets: Don’t forget to affordably offset your carbon from travel to and from NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show. Carbon credits purchased will be allocated toward community, renewable and nature-based programs.
• Random Act of Kindness: Perform a Random Act of Kindness at NRF 2024: Retail's Big Show to help make the event a little better and brighter.

Take the NRF Attendee Sustainability Pledge by participating in 4 (or more!) of the above while you’re onsite at the event!

Sustainable Transportation

New York City is a very walkable city and most hotels in our official room block are within walking distance of the Javits Center. If walking or biking to your destination isn’t an option, hop on the NRF shuttle or check out the New York City public transportation system to get around the city.

The average passenger vehicle emits about 400 grams of CO2 per mile, which is about 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year. It would take 76 tree seedlings grown for 10 years to sequester that much carbon. Plus, walking gets you fresh air and sunshine!