Guest writer:              “Ask Mr.Green”
Publishing Source:        ExhibitorOnline

“Graphics are among your best tools for expressing important messages. They can evoke strong emotions, help explain complex ideas, and remind us why we support our favorite brands. Of course, marketing messages can change frequently, and many exhibitors find themselves discarding graphics routinely. What alternatives do you have?

Until fairly recently, your options were limited. The typical exhibit graphic was printed on plasticized paper and laminated to a plastic substrate, such as polystyrene, Lexan®, Fome-Core®, Gatorfoam®, or Sintra®. The finished product was covered with another layer of plastic—a transparent plastic film—to protect it from harsh cleaning chemicals and wear and tear. For other applications, graphics were printed on backlit translucent plastic films, or on vinyl or polyester banner fabrics.

Oil-based plastics yield great-looking images, but at a significant cost. Fortunately, the printing world is evolving, and pioneering new materials offer Greener options for nearly every exhibit application.

Recycling Plastic Into Graphics

Every year, the U.S. generates 13 million tons of the plastics used to make packaging and soda bottles. Roughly 3.6 million of those tons (28 percent) are recycled, and some of this recycled material can now be used in your graphics program.”

For instance, Fisher Textiles offers ENVIRO-TEX™FABRICS for graphic banners. Enviro-Tex fabric offers a wide variety of fabrics, several of which are made from 100% Repreve Polyester.  The Repreve process takes post industrial fiber waste and post consumer plastic and converts them after begin chopped, ground, melted and reformulated.  Repreve is then a 100% recycled chip which is then melted and extruded and textured through a special process and made into a qualtiy recycled yarn!

“These materials offer significantly greener ways to produce  fabric graphics and recycle or dispose of them once they become obsolete. They demonstrate how innovative technologies can help you reduce your environmental footprint. Don’t forget to combine these and other Greener materials with a plan to maximize their useful life. This combination can take a serious bite out of your event program’s environmental footprint.”

photo by: miyuklutada