Can Signs Make You Greener?

Ever wonder why people forget to turn off the lights on their way out of a room? Maybe a simple sign is all they need. 

Studies have shown that people significantly increase their recycling behavior when signs are present. So, posting signs around your workplace reminding everyone to conserve and recycle is one of the most effective and inexpensive green practices you can implement.

In-workplace signs are a valuable way to reinforce your commitment to your green practices and an excellent way to get people to stick with internal programs. If there’s a green aisle in your retail store, post a sign. If you’re starting a carpooling program, post a sign—and a ride-share sign-up—on your office bulletin board.

Here are the three keys to posting effective reminders:

1. Include a specific request (i.e. turn off lights on your way out).
2. Place signs in close proximity to the area in which people are expected to respond.
3. Request actions that are convenient for the end user.

Signs are also excellent marketing tools. Says Jason Holstein of the Amicus Green Building Center:

“If your floor is a beautiful recycled barn floor and it has a green and healthy finish, no one’s going to know that unless you tell them: Put labels up on the walls. ‘Our floor is green,’” “Show off the features. It can be subtle, but you’ve got to celebrate it. Put it on the radar.”

Here are the classics:

• “Recycle Here” signs over recycle bins; place both signs and bins near copiers, printers, fax machines, paper storage and in break rooms.
• “Help conserve energy…Remember to turn off computers at night” on monitors.
• “Help conserve energy…Turn off lights on your way out” above light switches.
• “Help reduce waste…Please use mugs and plates, not disposables” in break rooms.
• “Help conserve paper…Save files as PDFs” on monitors.
• “This is your kitchen…please help keep it clean” in break room, near sinks. (To avoid backlash on dirty dishes left in the sink when you’re trying to reduce the use of paper products).

RecycleReminders has tons of recycling, conservation and waste reduction signs you can customize, download and print for free. 

Signs by RecycleReminders.

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