If you work in public design—especially in cities like Wellington—this might shift how you think about signage. WATCH VIDEO

Most public signs are made from virgin plastics that crack in under 2 years.

Then they get trashed.

New ones get printed.

And the cycle of waste starts again.

But what if signs told a better story?

Here’s what I’d do if I was Head of Wayfinding at Wellington City Council:

I’d stop using virgin plastics.

I’d install Cleanstone panels—made from 100% recycled plastic.

I’d design signs that can be milled, printed, mounted, and backlit.

And I’d choose textures and colours that hold cultural weight.

Because wayfinding is about manaakitanga—how we welcome people into shared spaces.

Critical. Cleanstone is already weather-tested, scratch-resistant, and used in high-traffic fit-outs.

It's cost comparable to acrylic sheets.

But it carries greater purpose, performance and better aesthetic value.

Made locally in Aotearoa.
Low carbon.
Circular by design.
And beautiful to touch.

Designers, architects, council teams:
You can turn every sign into a stand for your values.
You can reduce landfill.
And you can create a city people are proud to move through.

You in?

Let’s kōrero. Drop me a DM or jump on criticaldesign.nz