It’s no secret that one of the most pressing trends in virtually all aspects of graphic communication today is sustainability. It’s a far-ranging topic that includes everything from using recycled or otherwise sustainably sourced substrates, to eco-friendly inks and other consumables, to overall sustainable business practices, etc. But one of the biggest concerns, especially in display graphics and signage, is end-of-life (EOL) issues. That is, when a promotional graphic or sign is no longer needed, what does one do with it? Well, most of the time, it ends up in the company Dumpster and heads to the landfill. Some consumables companies have launched recycling efforts. For example, I have written occasionally about Vycom (acquired by Plaskolite in 2023), which launched a signage recycling program in the late 2010s, and which is still active.

But what about plastic signage that does end up in a landfill? Plastic notoriously doesn’t biodegrade, which means it sticks around forever. One company is seeking to change that.

Enter Flower City Group. As the name suggests, they are based in Rochester, N.Y. (aka “the Flower City”). The company began in 1970 as Flower City Printing, and it’s been a wild half-century-plus of growth.