With the rise of digital out of home, many old billboards are getting replaced. Vendors that own traditional boards are swapping them out for digital displays that can rotate multiple advertisers through the same space. While the steel structure often stays, the vinyl covering is no longer needed.
Billboard vinyl also gets swapped out regularly for new creative, since billboards in high-traffic areas are sold in four-week increments. Many structures have been around for decades, and with weather wear and growing demand for digital, the turnover rate is accelerating.
So what happens to those old billboards after they’re removed? You might picture them heading to a landfill — but in fact, there are plenty of surprisingly creative uses for old billboard material. It makes sense when you consider just how durable they are.
Billboards are built from vinyl layers designed for maximum durability:
- They withstand wind, rain, snow, and all types of weather — and most resist mildew and mold.
- They’re constructed with a polyester scrim coated in PVC for additional insulation.
- They include anti-tear material to keep creative messaging intact throughout the campaign.
Here are some of the most interesting ways old billboard structures and vinyl are recycled after their advertising life is done.
1. One-of-a-Kind Art
Anything can become art — including old billboards. Artists use the scrap vinyl material in sculpture, soldering it into unique avant-garde creations that give the material an entirely new life.
2. Roofing
A former investment banker who traveled the world after leaving the business reported seeing billboards used as roofing in an El Salvadorian village, according to HuffPost. Common? No. Ingenious? Absolutely.
3. Old-Fashioned Repurposing
While most large billboards are made from steel, smaller ones are often constructed from wood — and recycling those requires less imagination and fewer resources. You could build a playhouse, fuel a backyard fire, create a dining room table, or make a planter. The possibilities are endless if you can get the material.
Uses for Old Billboard Vinyls
Several websites sell plain old billboard vinyls to anyone who needs a large, durable piece of plastic. These aren’t converted into anything fancy — they’re marketed as heavy-duty alternatives to tarps, and for good reason. Billboard vinyls are sturdier and bigger than standard tarps, and repurposing them keeps material out of landfills.
Some of the most common uses include:
- Liners for backyard ponds
- Barriers for landscaping, including moisture barriers
- Replacement for tar paper as a roofing underlay
- Covers for a hockey rink, baseball field, or basketball court
- Pool, snowmobile, or vehicle covers
- Curtains for a warehouse
- Cover for a backyard woodpile
Basically anything you’d use a tarp for, old billboard vinyl can do just as well — or better.
Most Original Uses for Old Billboard Vinyls
Want to get really creative? One website claims you can use an old billboard as a slip ‘n slide. We’ll leave that one to you.
Another creative use: an outdoor movie screen. Just imagine watching a film in your backyard on a screen that’s 48×14 feet.
Do you surf? You can get a customized surfboard bag made from old billboard vinyl — trace the board on the vinyl, punch it out, and just one billboard can produce 10 surf bags.
You can also make backpacks, totes, wallets, and even iPhone cases from billboard vinyl. Several companies specialize in exactly this — turning old advertising material into functional, eye-catching everyday items.
Other Uses for Old Billboards
Sometimes an old billboard stays in place — it just stops being used for advertising. In Los Angeles, unused billboards became literal canvases for artists through the Billboard Creative program, which offered space to painters, photographers, and sculptors looking for extra exposure.
If you’re feeling DIY, Pinterest has entire boards dedicated to old billboard projects. A few ideas worth considering:
- Chair covers
- Bags for skis
- Mats to put under pet food bowls
- Covers for a bookshelf
With DIY projects, you can even incorporate the original ad copy into the design for something truly one-of-a-kind.
Of course, the best use for a billboard is still advertising. Want to get your message on a billboard or other out-of-home venue? Contact DASH TWO today to discuss your opti