Sustainability in Temporary Corrugated and Steel Retail Displays
Building eco-friendly retail displays is an effective way to improve your company's sustainability practices. Using sustainable corrugated displays can help you reduce costs for retail displays that you frequently change.
As more companies switch to recyclable retail displays, they're becoming an industry standard that aligns point-of-sale displays with company ethics. Learn more about sustainability in retail displays and why corrugated cardboard and steel retail displays are the top environmental choice for many companies.
Why You Can Trust UD-Direct for Sustainable Impact
UD-Direct prioritizes a healthy environment in the materials we use, our production process and our transportation methods. We've taken ownership of company sustainability in two ways — by reducing our carbon footprint and offering sustainable retail display solutions to our customers.
Our products are made of steel that's easy to reuse or recycle for a low environmental impact. They provide structure and support for corrugated cardboard retail displays, which are often made with reclaimed materials and are easy to recycle after use. With our materials, beautiful retail displays can be durable, sustainable and effective.
In addition to offering an eco-friendly product, UD-Direct generates a large percentage of plant electricity from solar panels. Our switch to solar has significantly reduced our CO2 output and warehouse energy costs. We've also saved more than 200,000 gallons of water through our water recycling efforts at the plant.
Types of Sustainable Temporary Retail Display Materials
When you use temporary retail displays, you'll need to dispose of materials often. Retail displays are frequently switched out as products change. Choosing sustainable materials, including corrugated cardboard and steel, can make a positive sustainable difference in your display strategy.
Innovative designs use sustainable materials that are durable, look professional and offer the support products need to remain on the shelves long enough for customers to buy them.
Some of the top sustainable materials for temporary retail displays include:
Corrugated cardboard: This material is made of several layers, some of which are flat and others wavy. The combination of layers and textures makes corrugated cardboard thicker and stronger than regular cardboard. After it's used, cardboard is easy to recycle and reuse again.
Steel: This metal is made of a combination of carbon, iron and tin. After use, it can be continuously recycled without reducing its strength, making steel a highly sustainable material for retail displays.
Soy-based ink: Traditional ink comes from petroleum and requires fossil fuels to produce. In contrast, soy-based inks are biodegradable, easier to recycle and come from a renewable resource.
Bioplastics: These plastic materials are made from natural resources like corn starch and sugarcane. Some bioplastics are biodegradable, while others can be recycled and reused. Bioplastics can be used for signage, packaging and more.
Bamboo: For more permanent displays, consider using bamboo. This material is strong, grows quickly and doesn't have a high cost to the environment. You can use it for retail display structure, shelving and more.
Production methods can also impact a material's eco-friendliness. It's important to consider a product's entire life cycle, from initial production to transportation and end-of-life.
What Makes Cardboard and Steel Eco-Friendly?
In addition to being two of the most commonly used materials in retail displays, corrugated cardboard and steel are eco-friendly. They're easy to recycle and reuse, making them ideal choices for sustainable retail displays. While the cardboard creates the display's shape and showcases branding designs, the steel structures within the cardboard give the display strength.
Recyclability: Cardboard is easy to recycle and widely accepted in recycling programs. Steel is also recyclable and can be used repeatedly to create new items and structures.
Biodegradability and compostability: Cardboard naturally breaks down in the environment. Even if it's disposed of in a landfill, this material will decompose over time. Another eco-friendly disposal method, businesses can also compost cardboard in industrial composting facilities.
Reduced waste: Recycling steel helps reduce the need for raw steel, which reduces waste and improves sustainability.
Benefits of Sustainable Retail Displays
Choosing sustainable retail display materials can make a positive difference for the environment and your company's bottom line. Here's a quick summary of the benefits you'll experience when you choose sustainable retail displays:
Affordable materials
Customizable designs
Long-lasting displays
In addition to creating high-quality displays, sustainable materials can improve your connection with customers. Many people shop according to ethical guidelines and are actively looking for companies that pursue sustainability. By demonstrating your commitment to environmental health, you can expand your customer base and achieve long-term success as a company.
Sustainable retail displays can help you reach company-wide eco-friendly goals. Because cardboard and metals are frequently recycled in the United States, you can reduce your company's waste, water use and other metrics by choosing retail displays made of these sustainable materials.
How Much Do Sustainable Retail Displays Cost?
When making the switch to sustainable materials, many companies are worried about how it could impact their bottom line. Single-use products are often inexpensive initially. However, their true cost is revealed later through damage to the environment.
Producing retail displays with high-quality materials doesn't have to be expensive, and it can lead to higher profits in the future. Sustainable displays can positively impact your bottom line through:
Strong, attractive displays that catch your customer's eye
Good stewardship of resources that aligns with eco-friendly goals
Trust built with customers who care about the environment
Sustainable retail displays help you uphold the principles that matter to your company. If your customers love your company's mission and identity, then investing in recyclable retail displays will pay off. High-quality, sustainable materials will also make your products stand out in stores.
Customize Sustainable Steel Displays With UD-Direct
When you work with UD-Direct, you can feel good about your impact on the environment and the quality of your retail displays. We work hard to provide the durable support your displays need so that your products can make an impact. All our products can be customized to meet your retail display specifications.
Some of our options include:
Tubing diameter
Tube length
Wire diameter
Wire length
Turndown length
Customized feet made to fit your display's ID and OD
Foot spread
We also offer in-house powder coating for the aesthetic appeal of your steel support products.
At UD-Direct, we've served businesses in the point of purchase industry for over 60 years. We look forward to building a long-term relationship with you to support your success. If you're ready to work with us, have questions or need samples, reach out to us today.