Campaign signs may be one way for political candidates to get their names in front of voters, but once the election is over, where should these signs go?
Well, we had and idea...
During the 2024 election season, Resource Depot, the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, and Cemex joined forces to tackle the challenge of campaign sign waste. While these materials aren’t recyclable in the county’s dual-stream recycling program, this initiative provided a responsible alternative to keep them out of landfills.
From August 24 to November 22, 2024, campaign teams and residents dropped off signs at seven Solid Waste Authority Home Chemical & Recycling Centers strategically located across the county. With Cemex’s support, collected signs were transported to NuCycle in Plant City, where they were transformed into alternative enviro-fuel cubes—a cleaner alternative to coal.
Through this partnership, over 4,180 campaign signs were diverted from the waste stream in Palm Beach County alone, reinforcing the power of collaboration in creating sustainable solutions.
Watch the video and see the impact of this initiative in action!
Click on articles below to open.
While we hope to divert thousands of pounds of materials through recycling and reuse, we must ask the ENF. question - how do we avoid all this waste in the first place? We need to REthink!
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Before tossing your political yard signs, consider reusing signs for future campaigns. It is an eco-friendly option that saves both resources and costs for candidates and organizations.
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If you're involved in campaign planning, consider creating signs that are easy to reuse. Keep designs simple by skipping dates and years, and stick to consistent colors and logos.
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Consider other means to promote your campaign that reduce waste while maintaining a strong connection with your audience. Leverage digital platforms like social media and email campaigns, engaging directly with voters through events and grassroots efforts, and collaborating with local businesses for visibility.
The durable material of corrugated plastic is perfect for various upcycling projects.
Corrugated plastic or plasticized cardboard signs can easily be
transformed into something new.