In today’s world with climate change at the forefront of responsible business practices, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, it’s a priority for businesses across almost every industry. The signage industry is no exception, with businesses increasingly seeking eco-friendly solutions to reduce their environmental footprints. Sustainable signage trends reflect the growing demand for materials and practices that balance aesthetics with environmental responsibility. In this article, we discuss sustainability trends in the signage industry from design to materials used in the fabrication of signage and what Signarama is doing to ensure signage is more sustainable. Signarama manufactures quality signage that is made to last, with proper maintenance. Regular cleaning and scheduled maintenance for your signs, especially replacing bulbs in your illuminated signs guarantees the longevity of your signs. Along with maintaining your signs, Signarama can recycle your old signs.

Reusing Materials

When you are looking for a refresh or rebrand for your signage, utilizing the framework of your original signage and covering it with your new sign design reduces the environmental impact of your refresh or rebrand. In addition to improving your sustainability stance, re-using signage materials reduces costs and delays associated with manufacturing and installing new signs.

Eco-Friendly Materials

One of the biggest shifts in the signage industry towards sustainability focuses on the adoption of eco-friendly materials. Many companies are moving away from traditional plastics and non-biodegradable materials, opting for environmentally friendly alternatives, such as:

• Repurposed plastics that are increasingly used for durable, high-quality signs
• Wood and bamboo, renewable materials provide a natural, fresh-looking aesthetic and are also biodegradable
• Aluminum and glass, both highly recyclable, add a sleek, contemporary look for signage
• Cotton and other recyclable fabrics eliminate one-use vinyl banners for temporary signage, such as event signage and other temporary signage. Waterproof finishes add durability to your cotton banners, as well as a matte, glare-free finish

More businesses are increasingly drawn to materials that offer longevity without compromising sustainability. New substrates in sign material mean durable materials that are meant to last that reduce environmental effects. Standard sign materials were designed without consideration for the future of our planet, so it has been essential for sign manufacturers to establish better material guidelines to address environmental concerns.

Along with adopting the sustainable materials mentioned above, Signarama offers a variety of sustainable options that reflect the preferences of our customers. Alternatives to PVC are available as traditional PVC does not break down and is not recyclable. Some of these materials include PlyCorr™, Falconboard®, and DuraTex EcoDisplay. Incorporating these materials helps companies align with customer values and environmental goals, as does using LED lighting.

Energy-Efficient Illumination

LED lighting has captured the attention of the sign industry and is closing in on as the new   standard in illuminated signage, due to its energy efficiency and durability.

A number of factors make LED lighting a sustainable choice, including:

• LED lights use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, resulting in substantial cost savings on your electricity bill
• LED lights contain no harmful substances, like mercury or lead
• LED lights are more efficient at converting energy into light, rather than heat, which means producing less wasted energy and reducing the risk of fire hazards
• LED lights shine brighter and whiter than incandescent bulbs and are available at varying levels and color temperatures, allowing you to customize the lighting in your home or business to fit your needs and preferences.
• Generally, LED bulbs last about 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and 2-10 times longer than fluorescent lights

At Signarama, retrofitting your current lighting to LED lighting can improve your brand’s sustainability stance, as well as lowering operational costs, since LED bulbs do not need replacing as often as incandescent bulbs. Another emerging sign technology involves incorporating solar panels into illuminated sign designs.

Solar-Powered Lighting

Integrating solar-powered lighting ramps up your energy efficiency footprint further. Solar-powered signs might draw attention to real estate signs, at night, power speed limit signage, and light up traditional signs with solar panel technology. Not only does solar lighting minimize your carbon footprint, but it also diminishes your dependence on traditional energy sources. As green energy becomes more accessible, solar energy and other green technologies will likely continue to grow in popularity in the sign industry. Another sustainable technology in the sign industry that involves digital signage.