Yard signs are great until they’re not needed anymore. And with most pegged to a particular date, their usefulness is often limited.
And whether they’re to advertise an event, tout a political candidate or just draw attention to a personal cause, the same material that helps with weather resistance also means they don’t biodegrade quickly.
The nonprofit Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation has found a way to recycle and reuse them, and is collecting the signs from all over the Pittsburgh region.
“Yard signs are typically made of corrugated plastic built to withstand harsh weather, erosion and regular use,” said foundation President Erik Arroyo. “This means that when a sign is discarded and reaches a landfill, it can take years to erode.”
Partnering with a local vendor, foundation officials are able to print stickers that can be affixed over the original sign, keeping it out of local landfills and reducing costs for the foundation as it supports education in the community.
Political signs from the 2024 election, headed to the trash, can be reused to advertise foundation events, scholarship recipients and innovation grants.
That’s good news to Tom Wubben, chair of the Murrysville GOP Committee.
“We end up with a lot of election signs after the season is over,” Wubben said. “I think it’s a really good idea, and it’s something we could definitely do.”
The same goes for Daniel Stainer, marketing director at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. Promoters who rent the theater for events often print yellow-and-black corrugated signs to advertise in the area.
“Anytime you can reuse or repurpose something, that’s great,” Stainer said. “Part of our mission at the Westmoreland Cultural Trust is about sustainability, and we’re certainly willing to communicate this to our promoters and let them know there’s a great program they can take advantage of.”
Arroyo said he hopes it will have a positive effect on the environment.
“(It can) reduce waste, eliminate the need to order brand new materials, and directly benefit the Baldwin-Whitehall School District community because it gives our residents a sustainable route to repurpose something they don’t need anymore,” Arroyo said.
Old and unwanted yard signs can be donated by emailing bwef@bwschools.net or calling 412-884-6300, ext. 7231 to arrange a pick-up or drop-off.
