Environment
THE BANNER RETURN PILOT SCHEME This UK-first scheme highlights the importance of recycling the banners, a sheet material that is used in both print and signage within the UK. Tradeprint, working closely with Antalis – along with Reconomy, FESPA UK and the IPIA – have created the Banner Return Pilot Scheme, which launched January 5, 2026.
The scheme is designed to significantly reduce
the environmental impact of PVC and PVC-free display banners.
Built on circular economy principles, the scheme enables customers to return used banners for responsible recycling.
Collected materials are repurposed into durable
infrastructure products, such as traffic cones and road barriers, providing a smarter end-of-life route than landfill or incineration.
The aims of the scheme are to: reduce environmental impact from PVC and PVC-free materials, educate and encourage customers to adopts sustainable behaviours, increases customer loyalty, establish a scalable return model in print, and inspire printers to develop similar return schemes. Anthony Rowell, sales and customer success director and sustainability lead for Tradeprint, said: “In a circular world, waste isn’t the end; it’s the beginning. Recycling isn’t just about recovery; it’s about respect for resources, for the planet, and for future generations. “We are all really excited about this trial and so grateful for the support from the team at Antalis, Reconomy, FESPA UK and the IPIA. I genuinely hope this inspires others to develop similar schemes.” As part of the pilot, Tradeprint is working closely with
Antalis, to leverage its UK depot network as regional drop-off points.
Tradeprint’s collaboration with Katie Farr,
marketing and communications manager at Antalis, reflects its shared commitment to driving sustainability across the print supply chain. The initiative has also benefited from strong
early backing by Jon Hutton of FESPA UK and Reconomy, both of whom have supported Tradeprint during the development of this pioneering approach. Rowell added: “As we transition away from problematic plastics like PVC, it’s crucial we support our customers in making better, informed choices. This pilot helps us do just that while strengthening the commercial case for sustainability.” The pilot includes customer education, return incentives, and data on the CO2(e) savings. Long-term, the ambition is to roll out a fully scalable model across the UK print industry. Tradeprint also said that they hope this scheme helps its partners, customers, and peers to create their own initiatives and schemes to make a more circular and responsible future for print. This type of scalable scheme is a great way for the industry to look at what it can achieve when utilising not only partnerships but also likeminded businesses.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE These schemes are helping to provide a change in how the print industry’s sustainability consciousness is being shaped, creating not only awareness but understanding of how to frame them going forward.
These initiatives also show what businesses must either aim towards or be included in when creating or launching their eco-friendly schemes.
IN A CIRCULAR WORLD, WASTE ISN’T THE END; IT’S THE BEGINNING. RECYCLING ISN’T JUST ABOUT RECOVERY; IT’S ABOUT RESPECT FOR RESOURCES, FOR THE PLANET, AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
- Anthony Rowell, sales and customer success director and sustainability lead for Tradeprint
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