Outdoor Advertising Association launches environmental strategy

The Outdoor Advertising Association (OAA), the outdoor industry regulatory body, is devising an environmental strategy for outdoor companies.

The body is developing a policy statement that will outline basic targets that operators will be expected to meet. It will apply to all existing and new members of the OAA and the body hopes to have the first draft ready by the end of March.

OAA operations director Bill Wilson is chairing an eight-strong committee – which includes the “big five” outdoor companies: Clear Channel, JCDecaux, CBS Outdoor, Titan and Primesight – to develop the guidelines. He says: “This is not just a token gesture – it is a criterion for OAA membership.” He adds that the committee began as a health and safety group last year and expanded to cover the environment when the issue became more prominent.

Wilson says OAA members are involved in initiatives including using solar power to illuminate bus panels, transport vehicles fuelled by LPG gas and an increased use of biodegradable materials.

He explains: “The group share a common interest of collective responsibility.”

The environmental policy statement is being developed alongside a health and safety statement.