When undertaking any rebranding project we work with our clients to develop the most sustainable specification and implementation methodology. We are increasingly developing processes that are not only “greener” but are also “leaner”. This means there no longer has to be a cost penalty for choosing to operate sustainably – on the contrary, we are increasingly delivering cost benefits through our focus on sustainable operations.
So what can you do to reduce the environmental impact of your signage and make savings on whole-life costs at the same time? How can you make more effective choices to help your project achieve a higher sustainability rating?
We consulted BRE (Building Research Establishment) when preparing this list, following BREAAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) principles.
1. Use LED lighting for your signs
LEDs have improved markedly over the last few years and now represent the best way to light most sign types. Brightness, life-span and energy consumption are significantly improved, and capital costs have significantly reduced, so much so that they should be the default choice over hot cathode, cold cathode and most other lighting types.
This, combined with today’s higher energy costs, means that LEDs deliver their whole-life cost benefits in a much shorter timescale – often only 1-2 years, meaning every year of operation after that brings very worthwhile savings. Combine this with significantly reduced maintenance costs and the business case is a strong as the sustainability case.
2. Material Selection is Key
Understanding the environmental factors of different materials is absolutely key in making the right selection. For example, did you know that aluminium takes only 5% of the energy used to recycle steel making it a very sustainable material over whole life? Making well-informed material selections, including understanding the importance of country of origin and means of transport, will greatly enhance the sustainability of your signage project.
3. Bigger is not Always Better
Sometimes signs need to be large to be effective but in many cases reducing the size of a sign very slightly can increase sheet yield thereby reducing waste material and reducing production and running costs. Combining 2 signs into one or reducing the overall number of signs in your scheme, which can enhance rather than impair effectiveness especially when it comes to wayfinding signage, can deliver similar benefits.
4. Give your Signs a Rest
Having your signs illuminated 24/7 can be important but this isn’t always the case. Is your signage lit at times it doesn’t need to be? If so, you might want to reconsider and benefit from some impressive cost and efficiency savings. For example, only illuminating your signs from 3pm until midnight would save 5,400 hours of power consumption every year, extending their life and greatly reducing running costs two major wins for sustainability.
5. Install Efficiently
This is particularly important if you’re rebranding a number of sites across a large geographical area. Ensuring the most efficient route programme is laid out from the start will save significantly on fuel – and time, both cost savings that the client can benefit from as well as reducing the carbon emissions associated with the project. We have installation teams located throughout the Uk to reduce unnecessary travel and save our clients money.
6. What Goes Up, Must Come Down
The safe removal and recycling of redundant signage is a key part of operating more sustainably. There is the point in selecting the right materials if you’re not going to recycle or responsibly dispose of them at end of life! Design and specify signage to make it as recyclable as possible at end of life and make sure you carefully consider how you can control recycling at end of life. We recycle in excess of 41Tonnes of waste material every year, which includes, aluminium, steel, acrylic, lamps, electronic controls, wire, paper and much more.
Click here to read more about our environmental operations and request a free enviromerson initial project assessment.
Click here to read more about our environmental operations and request a free enviromerson initial project assessment.
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