Let’s get this out there. No product is GOOD for the planet and in todays cut-throat environment many claims are being made. Any business worth its salt has to have a visible eco-friendly ethos to succeed. The public demand it. But how much is true and how much is spin? Maybe no product is good for the environment. But some are definitely better than others.
Digital Signage VS Printed media
Paper production accounts for 2% of global carbon emissions and is a leading cause of deforestation.
A single screen can replace thousands of printed posters over its lifetime.
For years we’ve lived in a throw away society and now we are up to our neck in it. We can no longer claim ignorance and with climate change very much a reality we are already paying the price for our love of printed materials. Roughly one tree dies to produce 8000 pieces of paper. Twenty litres of water for a sheet of A4 paper. Toxic ink, CO2 emissions, short lifespan and overwhelming landfills are all further nails in the coffin for printed media.
But what about digital signage? Unsurprisingly it’s not all plain sailing. Reducing the need for paper is a no brainer but is digital signage the answer?
Digital displays, particularly large-format ones consume significant amounts of electricity with many operating 24/7 contributing to CO2 emissions.
The extraction of raw materials such as metals and rare earth elements effect natural habitats and causes pollution.
As equipment becomes obsolete, improper disposal can release toxic substances into the environment.
Some of these problems have already been alleviated with LED screens dramatically reducing energy consumption and the increasing use of electronic paper even more so. It’s estimated that digital signage produces 4-5 times fewer CO2 emissions than printed signage over a 10 year period due to reduced paper and transport needs. This can be reduced further still by good practice:
- Set schedules and program screens to turn off when not in use.
- Adjust the brightness sensors – this not only reduces your energy bill but can actually lengthen your devices lifespan.
- Look after your system – regular maintenance will not only extend its lifespan and improve performance but keep you on top of any inefficiencies.
- Better still screens can be powered with renewable energy sources such as solar panels.
There is always going to be an environmental cost to producing. Fortunately manufacturers are increasingly aware of the problem. LED screens have more or less replaced LCD screens due in part to their much longer lifespan but also their high energy efficiency. Eco-friendly materials and processes are being adopted into the production line and recycling programs have been implemented to minimize e-waste and more importantly to recover valuable materials.
Digital Screens last up to 10 years with software updates extending usability. Let’s put that into perspective. In europe paper production is on the decline due to protocols, incentives and the rapidly growing market for digital screens. Even so it still produced 63 million tons in 2024. Do the maths. It’s mind boggling and shows we still have a long way to go.
The results are pretty conclusive. Digital signage when implemented with energy efficient and recycling conscious practices without doubt is a more sustainable option compared to the recurring waste and emissions for traditional print media. It’s an opportunity for businesses to lead the way in drastically reducing CO2 emissions.
“Not only is digital signage more effective in keeping your customers informed it’s also more eco-friendly, cost effective and shows your customers you care about the environment.”
