Signage

Green purchasing guidance for signage, illumination, traffic signal, and intelligent transportation systems equipment, including:

Required specifications

Purchasers must include these specifications, unless not possible:

EPA's designation pertains to plastic signs used for non-road applications (e.g., building signs, trail signs) and to aluminum roadway and non-roadway signs. The designation also covers any associated plastic or steel supports.
EPA's Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) recommends recycled-content levels for purchasing signage:

Product	Material	Postconsumer Content (%)	Total Recovered Materials Content (%)
Signage	Plastic1	80-100	80-100
Signage	Aluminum	25	25
Sign posts and supports	Plastic1	80-100	80-100
Signage	Steel	16	25-30
Sign posts and supports	Steel	67	100

EPA's Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Signage
Plastic signs and signposts are recommended for nonroad applications only, such as- but not limited to- trailway signs in parks and directional/informational signs in buildings.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from steel manufactured in either a BOF or an EAF. Steel from the BOF process contains 25-30 percent total recovered materials, of which 16 percent is postconsumer steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100 percent recovered steel, of which 67 percent is postconsumer.

Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:

PA is not aware of specifications for nonroad signs containing recovered materials. Standard specifications for road sign size, lettering, color, strength, and performance requirements can be found in: "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices", which is published by the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Recycled content for aluminum, plastic, and steel
Battery Waste Prevention
Utilization of recycled content
Avoidance of highly persistent toxic chemicals
Other environmental benefits
Use of products with ergonomic designs
Prevent Battery Waste
Look for products with the longest warranty available and a removable battery, so the product does not need to be replaced when the battery wears out.
Look for products made with recycled content, particularly those where the recycled-content is “post-consumer” and/or the manufacturer’s recycled-content claim is verified by an independent entity (e.g., Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), UL, etc.).
Look for products that are manufactured using renewable energy or by a company that has offset its climate impacts using carbon offsets.
Consider keyboards and mice that are free of plastic (e.g., products made of bamboo).
Look for products with a label indicating they comply with the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive, which means it is free of lead solder and several other chemicals of high concern.

Purchasers should avoid these specifications whenever possible:

Non-recycled material
Avoid products containing vinyl (PVC) or stain-resistant fabric, which is likely to be treated with PFAS non-stick “Forever Chemicals”.
Avoid products that have been treated with antimicrobials such as Microban.

These laws, rules, and executive orders must be included in the contract language:

Find products that meet Washington’s green purchasing specifications:

Use surplus disposal to get rid of items you no longer need. Keep materials out of landfills and make funds for your agency.

Hazardous waste disposal guidelines and options: