A green machine?
It is worth pointing out few people would commit to digital signage as a communications medium solely on the basis of its environmental impact. Digital signs must first fulfil their primary function of effective communications or they will be of little use.
That said, the environmentally friendly attributes of digital signage are still strong reasons to consider replacing traditional signs where appropriate. And with proper planning, electrical consumption can be diminished further and the industry can reduce the release of computer components’ elements like arsenic and cadmium in landfills.
12 Steps to Sustainability
The Screen Forum’s ‘GreenScreen’ initiative lays out 12 steps for digital signage operators to consider as best practices for reducing their environmental impact:
Photo courtesy Keywest Technology
- Carefully target digital signage networks at the desired audience, with minimal ‘overspill’ into surrounding areas.
- Carry out installations with the minimum environmental cost and sympathetically to existing landmarks.
- Replace other media that would consume significant resources for less overall effectiveness.
- Use low-power digital displays that are only as large and bright as needed.
- Optimize power use by shutting down the displays when appropriate and adjusting their brightness with relation to ambient lighting.
- Keep computing power to a minimum, so as to generate less heat, to need less cooling and to last longer.
- Choose the longest-lasting systems, ensuring components will not need to be replaced frequently.
- Use less equipment to consume less power and to deliver greater long-term reliability.
- Regularly maintain systems to ensure continued efficiency and recycle parts wherever possible.
- Check system suppliers’ environmental credentials and the sustainability of their products.
- Generate and distribute content with the minimum environmental impact.
- Use the medium regularly to promote public awareness of green issues.
David Little is director of marketing for Keywest Technology, which provides digital signage software and content creation services. For more information, visit www.keywesttechnology.com.
