Sustainability

© Can Stock Photo / Pakhnyushchyy

2013

Sustainability Ideas

Electrical efficiency

Power off the lighting rig when it’s not being used (particularly moving lights)
Investigate lower-wattage light sources (e.g. LED) for backstage working lights,
Replace high wattage tungsten halogen lanterns with LED equivalents
Replace moving lights with LED equivalents

Reduce Wastage

Ensure spare catered food is saved and distributed to local shelters
Use cable ramps or rubber mats to replace large quantities of gaffer tape to hold cables down
Donate unwanted gel to local play schemes
Reuse or Recycle unwanted set / props, or set up a local scheme to store set & prop items for reuse by other companies
Use secondhand costumes and props rather than buying new
Store costumes and props carefully so that they’re in good condition when you use them again and again.
Design modular scenery that can be reused repeatedly (by repainting or recovering).
Avoid printed materials (posters / flyers) and use social media. At Fringe Festivals where flyering is a big part of the marketing plan of many groups, use photo opportunities, QR codes on clothing etc and encourage passers-by to take a photo of you to remind them about the show rather than taking a flyer. Use recycled paper and non-glossy recyclable card for flyers if you need to print them.

Reduce Plastics

Reusable water bottles can be refilled hundreds of times, to reduce plastic bottle use
Don’t use plastic straws – metal, paper or bamboo straws are available
Reusable rubber ties or short lengths of tie line or rope can replace PVC tape on lighting rigs or for coiling cables
Velcro cable ties can be permanently fixed to cables to remove PVC tape use.
Avoid glitter (a harmful microplastic) in prop-making or make-up.