Giving Back

At Lamar, we are committed to giving back. From installing solar panels on billboard structures to delivering emergency alerts on our digital billboards, we have a range of programs and initiatives that all serve one purpose: to leave every place where we are privileged to operate better than how we found it.

Lamar Advertising billboard with Boys & Girls Club: "Whatever it Takes" Campaign

Community Support

Lamar has a long history of public service. We operate in hundreds of communities across the United States and Canada. Our goal is to leave every place where we are privileged to operate better than how we found it.

We donate millions of dollars' worth of advertising space each year to help law enforcement and nonprofit organizations communicate important information to the public. We also use our digital display network to broadcast Amber, FBI, FEMA, Crime Stoppers, and other emergency alerts to the public instantly in crisis situations.

In-Kind Partner of the Year

In 2023, Lamar selected Make-A-Wish, the world's leading children's wish-granting organization, as its in-kind partner. Throughout the year, Lamar donated local and national digital billboard space to support donation drives, recruit volunteers, and showcase wishes granted.

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In-Kind Partner of the Year

Public Service Announcements

Lamar supports nonprofit organizations by donating available advertising space on billboards, digital displays, and transit formats, for public service announcements. We also partner with various local and national organizations to help promote their great work.

No Kid Hungry digital billboard PSA on Lamar Advertising inventory

Public Service Announcements

Emergency Alerts

Our digital billboards deliver emergency messages that need to be activated with very short notice. We have an Emergency Alert System in place which allows our billboards to display Amber, FBI, FEMA, and other emergency advisories to be distributed on a local, state or national level, depending on the circumstances. Each digital billboard has three additional slots allocated exclusively for Emergency Alert use.

FEMA billboard on Lamar Advertising inventory towering over debris caused by natural disaster

Emergency Alerts

Donating Billboards

We extend the life of used billboards by donating the material to the community. Our recycled billboard vinyl has been used to provide temporary roofs for storm victims, has served as canvases for aspiring artists, and some have even been transformed into surfboard bags.

Fallen lamar advertising billboard vinyl on shed with debris after storm

Donating Billboards

Lamar Tarp Team

The Lamar Tarp Team donates and distributes used billboard vinyl to communities hit by severe storms so they can be used as temporary roof coverings by residents that have damage to their homes.

Lamar advertising's Tarp Team handing out repurposed tarp for hurricane relief

Lamar Tarp Team

From Billboards to Bags

Lamar has a partnership with RAREFORM, a company that transforms old billboards into unique products such as surfboard bags, duffel bags, backpacks and more. By extending the life cycle of used billboards, we are reducing the use of virgin plastic, the need for new plastic production and its petrochemical feedstocks, and the volume of waste plastic returned to the environment.

Surfer holding board in a RAREFORM case made out of Lamar Advertising vinyl

From Billboards to Bags

Green Initiatives

At Lamar, we are committed to sustainable business practices. Our ongoing strategies are designed to improve operational and energy efficiency while minimizing our impact on the environment.

Within the Out of Home industry, we have spent years spearheading innovations in energy efficiency, lighting control, renewable energy, and recycling. We are constantly seeking out and evaluating new technologies and processes that will allow this important work to continue.

Energy Efficiency

Lamar has installed more than 94,000 LED lights on billboards across the U.S., replacing metal-halide lights and yielding a 72% reduction in energy use on those structures. This translates to 52 million kilowatt hours of electricity saved per year.

Overhead view of Lamar Advertising inventory

Energy Efficiency

Solar Power

As part of a Department of Energy initiative, Lamar has installed solar panels, which now power more than 4,800 LED lights on billboards in Louisiana and Florida, delivering more than 0.75 million kilowatt hours of electricity back to the grid annually. Lamar’s installation is the largest distributed solar energy network in the world.

Solar Power

Recycling Billboards

Our billboards are printed on polyethylene substrates which are recycled into plastic resins that can be extruded or molded into new products, such as rail ties, nursery pots, or shipping pallets. We also repurpose old billboards and donate them to be remade into eco-friendly products such as surfboard bags, tote bags and backpacks.

Vinyl from Lamar Advertising inventory rolled up and being stored to be recycled

Recycling Billboards

Eco-Friendly Printing Materials

Lamar led the move to make recyclable polyethylene (PE) materials the printing substrate of choice in the Out of Home advertising industry, replacing both paper and PVC. Lamar unveiled the industry’s first PE billboards in 2008, which are much lighter than paper and PVC.

Eco Friendly printing machine in the process of printing a design on vinyl for Lamar Advertising inventory

Eco-Friendly Printing Materials

Saving Energy

Our wireless digital lighting system ensures that we never waste energy. This allows our lights to be controlled remotely and accurately on well over 50,000 structures, reducing Lamar's energy use by 23%, as compared to structures using less sophisticated lighting controls.

Lamar Advertising billboard inventory landing

Saving Energy

Cutting Fuel Consumption

Lamar’s GPS vehicle tracking system monitors our fleet of vehicles and helps our operations division, responsible for installing billboard advertisements, reduce miles driven, fuel used, and improve vehicle maintenance, resulting in longer vehicle life.

Giving Back

Community Support

In-Kind Partner of the Year

In-Kind Partner of the Year

Public Service Announcements

Public Service Announcements

Emergency Alerts

Emergency Alerts

Donating Billboards

Donating Billboards

Lamar Tarp Team

Lamar Tarp Team

From Billboards to Bags

From Billboards to Bags

Green Initiatives

Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency

Solar Power

Solar Power

Recycling Billboards

Recycling Billboards

Eco-Friendly Printing Materials

Eco-Friendly Printing Materials

Saving Energy

Saving Energy

Cutting Fuel Consumption

Cutting Fuel Consumption

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