For those searching for sustainable initiatives on the exhibition floor, there’s no need to look far. The fact that sustainability has firmly secured a place on the radar of companies is evident from the presence of numerous providers of sustainable packaging, circular solutions for waste streams, and CO2-neutral logistics. While government regulations around CO2 reduction and sustainability are becoming increasingly strict, that's not the full story.
Consumers are also becoming more conscious and are making responsible choices. At the Webwinkel Vakdagen 2024, Lecture Hall 10 is fully dedicated to this theme. Major companies such as Marktplaats, Dille & Kamille, and Thuiswinkel.org will share their visions on various aspects of sustainability.
How can large e-commerce companies collaborate to promote more circularity? What exactly does Dille & Kamille mean by the concept of “slow e-commerce,” which emphasizes greater respect and attention for people and nature?
The diverse program in Hall 10 ensures that most questions around this theme are addressed through targeted presentations.
"Sustainability has to be in your company's DNA."
Few companies are as inherently circular as Marktplaats, the go-to online platform for scoring second-hand deals. Head of Sustainability Rick Verkuyl kicks off his lecture with a video that illustrates how not to do it: a group of Paris Saint-Germain footballers laughing at a journalist's suggestion that they could take the train instead of a private jet. And that while the same club claims on their website to be committed to sustainability.
Verkuyl couldn't have provided a more fitting example of how sustainability is far more than just pretty words. Consumers can easily see through it—and they’ll take their business to your competitor. But how can a company like Marktplaats keep improving? Verkuyl explains: "In our case by listening carefully to consumers, but also by seeking cooperation. For example, IKEA recently linked to Marktplaats items in one of their campaigns, and we work with municipalities to promote reuse, including by promoting thrift stores or Marktplaats as a possibility. For example, when residents apply to have something collected as bulky waste that might still be of value to someone else."
For companies struggling with sustainability, Verkuyl also has a helpful tip. “When you look at the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, there’s something in there for every company to focus on. By focusing fully on this, seeking partnerships and developing a solid sustainability plan with clear goals, you ensure that you don't just talk about sustainability, but also act on it."
The message is clear. Verkuyl and the other speakers in Hall 10 are there with a mission: in a growing industry like e-commerce, it is incredibly important that every company does its part. By sharing their stories, visitors will gain new insights into the many different ways to embed sustainability in the corporate vision. This will only become more important, so future editions of the event will also address this topic in detail.
The next edition of the Webwinkel Vakdagen will take place on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 April 2025.
