Yard signs don’t have to take up space in a landfill. One candidate’s volunteer is looking for other ways the signs can be used after the election. (Photo by Nick Sestanovich)

In the past few months, you may have seen yard signs for various candidates at the local and state level– don’t act like you haven’t. However, come tomorrow as Benicians have cast their final ballots, those signs will be taken down and will likely end up in a landfill.

However, if you received a sign for City Council candidate Steve Young, campaign volunteer Beverly Edmonds believes there are more sustainable opportunities for those signs.

“Steve is very concerned about the environment and sees a need to keep these signs out of the landfill if possible,” she said.

Instead of throwing the signs out, Edmonds is encouraging people to bring the signs to her so they can be repurposed. As many of the volunteers with Young’s campaign are involved with the Benicia art community, the first thought was to turn the signs into canvasses. However, Edmonds has heard creative suggestions for other uses.

“In the art community, some of the requests are for signs to repair NightMARE Island for next year, for building projects at Obtanium Works and Madhatter, for art projects with children and as backing for images to be framed,” she said. “The Benicia/Vallejo Food Co-op wants metal frames so they can use them in their own signs, and they could also be used to back garage sale and estate sale signs. Other requests are for using them as worm compost bin covers and gardening containers for urban gardening.”

There are four different kinds of Young signs that can be repurposed. Two are made from particle board and are available in either 1×1 or 2×2 sizes. The other signs are made of corrugated plastic and are approximately either 2×3 or 4×4 in size. Plastic signs can be taken to Affordable Quality Cabinets at 4852 East Second St., and the wooden particle board signs can be taken to Ruszel Woodworks at 2980 Bayshore Road. The signs will be dropped off in dumpsters so they can be picked up at any time. The signs can be picked up at any time from Wednesday, Nov. 9 through Monday, Nov. 14. For more information, contact Edmonds at edmondsb@me.com.

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