One example that printers can benefit is through the switch to more easily recyclable containers for food and drink. Plastic bottles are hard to break down because they are often made of polyethylene terephalate (PET) as the material has to be robust enough to hold a fizzy drink or juice. A small fraction of the bottles that are thrown away or recycled actually become bottles again, and a million plastic bottles are sold every minute, according to The Economist.

One signage company has taken advantage of the shift from plastic, with homes in the UK making a bid to limit the amount of plastic used in the home. Mid West Displays will now accept old displays to ensure the safe recycling of the plastic. The newly recycled acrylic can then be used to make other products, and even LED lighting can be recycled.

Clive Towe, general manager of Mid West Displays, explains: “The scheme is simple and is designed to allow retailers, estate agents, salon owners etc. to upgrade to a new display while minimalising the environmental impact.

“Clients will save on waste removal fees as we will take their old acrylic displays away and work with our trusted waste partners to ensure we recycle as much as possible. As part of the Wrights Plastics Group we take our environmental and supply chain responsibilities seriously and have set challenging targets to reduce waste and energy use.”

Whilst the scheme will end of the last day of April, it is an idea that many sign-makers should consider, in a way to bolster green credentials and do their bit for the environment. Mid West Displays will also offer an allowance towards a new display in return for recycling old acrylic.

If you have an interesting story or a view on this news, then please e-mail news@signlink.co.uk

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