Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Smart Tips for Event Signage

Signage plays an important role in the events business. However, a significant part of this signage is: 

• Temporary (used only once for a given event).
• Made of plastic or petroleum derivatives (PVC, Forex, etc.).

This highlights the importance of providing circular solutions for the manufacturing, use, and installation of event signage. 

The plastic problem 

The use of plastic should be limited as a matter of course, for at least 3 reasons: 

   1. The production of plastics is polluting, mainly due to the use of fossil fuels. In addition, several types of plastic such as PVC are difficult to recycle. 

   2. When recycled, the process of recycling itself is polluting and rarely produces objects of equivalent material value (requiring the addition of raw materials); it is therefore almost impossible to develop an upcycling approach. 

A role to play – principles to follow 

At the time of design

• Design signage elements to be reusable (avoiding "perishable" information formats).
• Keep printing areas to a minimum and avoid printing large areas of color (to limit ink consumption).
• Encourage the design of dismountable systems (where only obsolete components need to be changed). 

At the manufacturing level

• Avoid the use of polluting materials (such as plastics or petroleum products) as far as possible.
• Try to use the most sustainable materials (certified wood or cardboard) and/or recycled materials for manufacturing.
• Give priority to environmentally-friendly printing.
• Think about the strength of the materials so that the signage elements last as long as possible.

For transport, logistics, and installation 

• Transport and storage: The signage elements should be designed to optimize transport, logistics, and storage (e.g. be stackable) 

• Installation, assembly, and dismantling: Limit the use of single-use items (such as conventional cable ties, for example) and give preference to reusable devices. 

At the time of repair

• Set up in-house facilities and resources for light repairs (e.g. a workshop area near the warehouse). 

• Partner with specialist suppliers for larger repairs and/or remanufacturing.

Your objective as a committed project manager is to encourage circular solutions, especially in the area of signage. In this field, the potential for creativity is almost infinite: whether you prefer to use slate and chalk, to write your signage using recycled materials, or fashion your materials from recycled waste, the only limit (apart from, of course, the planetary limits) is your and your partners’ creativity.  

In any case, whatever your creative signage project, always make sure that your materials can be reused as often as possible and in as many situations as possible. 

As My Impact Tool user, you’ll get access to a full list of solutions to improve your event’s signage solutions.  

This means you can adapt depending on the reality of the projects and try to do better for each project.