The Xanita website says that temporary displays made from X-Board can be disposed of right in your store recycling bin.

 Another alternative material, Plyboo Durapalm, manufactured by Smith & Fong, is made from renewable coconut palm trees that no longer produce fruit. Plyboo is used for everything from flooring to furniture to paneling and has beautiful textures and finishes that make it very unique.

Typically these alternative materials are considerably more expensive than traditional options. But if sustainability continues to be a value for shoppers and influence purchasing behavior, retailers and manufacturers will find an equilibrium.

A recent study, conducted by market research firm Aberdeen Group, surveyed over 100 retailers and measured the advantages retailers see from instituting green programs. According to the study, the number one pressure driving green retail initiatives is creating a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Second is the financial impact of rising energy costs and third is increasing brand value among consumers.

Despite the drive for sustainability and increased consumer regard for robust green strategies, retails is lagging in customer-facing green materials for diplays, fixtures and graphics hardware. Green materials for building construction are diverse and readily available. However, there aren’t many quality offerings for sustainable store fixtures that retailers can afford. Demand hasn’t been strong enough to lower the price of alternative fixture materials and the prices are even going up due to rising gas prices and production costs.

In addition to affordability, there’s is the issue of durability. Eco-friendly products used to replace traditional fixture materials are not always equal in features and some can’t perform over time the way traditional materials do…not yet.

Evaluating new materials is a delicate process. But with sustainability creating real dividends for retailers, we expect to see greater quality as well as value sooner rather than later.