Buzz Session

Very Few Sign Companies Promote Their Sustainable Practices

QUESTION:

Do you promote your sign company’s sustainable practices to customers?

Yes: 17%

  • We let customers know that we recycle a large percentage of our waste and that we use materials with recycled content because it is part of how we run our business and it is important to many of our customers. — Vince Cvijanovic, Graphic Components, Greensboro, NC
  • It sometimes can save them dollars. Sustainable practices are also part of our company culture. — Steven Carpenter, Archetype, Minneapolis
  • Use in sales pitches. — Kelly Hanaway, Milwaukee Sign Co., Sussex, WI

No: 83%

  • Not an issue with my customers. — Bill Ryan, Ryan-Markland Signs Inc., Inverness, FL
  • Vinyl is not a sustainable product. — Raychel O’Donoghue, Lexington Signs & Graphics, Burlington, MA
  • Hard to quantify and prove. — Greg Abbott, Abbott Image Solutions, Wilmington, OH
  • It’s never a topic anyone has brought up. — Geoff Orlick, Quality Designs Ltd., Campbell River, BC, Canada

  • We don’t do enough to make it worth promoting. — Michael Johnson, Henry Graphics Inc., Buford, GA
  • We don’t make any serious efforts and don’t want to pretend that we do by greenwashing. — David Gonzalez, Skymark Signs, Toronto
  • Unfortunately, we haven’t fully implemented sustainability throughout the business, but we plan to keep trying. — Jamie Potvin, Metro Sign & Awning, Tewksbury, MA
Advertisement

QUESTION:

Which, if any, of the following sustainable efforts does your sign company practice?

Reducing landfill waste through recycling, composting or compacting
53%
Reusing old materials in construction
51%
Reusing old materials in other ways (e.g., boxes for packaging)
76%
Recycling scrap from shop and other items (cans, bottles, paper)
59%
Recycling materials from old signs from the field
62%
Saving electricity on lighting (LEDs, natural light)
73%
Saving electricity in other ways (e.g., using laptops vs. desktops)
30%
Other (heating/cooling shop project areas only, using latex water-based inks and paints)
15%

QUESTION:

Which of the following best describes your feeling toward sustainability?

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a signage and graphics company in the US or Canada, you’re invited to join the Signs of the Times Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute survey each month, you will receive access to some of the industry’s freshest data on sales — including your fellow members’ comments on what’s selling and what isn’t — and can make your voice heard on key issues affecting the sign industry. Sound good? Sign up here.

Advertisement

Signs of the Times Staff

Signs of the Times has been the world leader in sign information since 1906. Contact Signs of the Times' editors at editor@signsofthetimes.com.

Recent Posts

Michigan Residents Make Parodies of Viral Detroit City Sign

The sign has inspired two rap songs and a wave of backyard installations.

3 days ago

What Makes the Perfect Sign Business Partnership

Complementary skills and talents but a singular mindset.

3 days ago

Marketing Signs to Schools, Tradeshow and Quote Follow-up Make May’s List

Plus, some health suggestions from a fellow sign pro.

3 days ago

Church Sign Found After Being Stolen From Cemetery

A shuttered Connecticut church sign had been missing, information still sought.

3 days ago

PRINTING United Alliance Forms Strategic Partnership with ASI

The move benefits members of both organizations.

5 days ago

The Joy of Working

Brief reflections on doing what you love.

5 days ago