Planet Friendly Tips for Arts and Entertainment

Planet Friendly and Budget Saving Production Tips

Arts and entertainment can be planet friendly simply by changing a few products and procedures, and it can even save you money... In this article we’ll cover some common aspects such as lighting, catering, generators, water, sets, decorations, printing, signage, and “ugh the garbage”. Change is worth it in many ways. Planet Friendly and Budget Saving Production Tips Printing: We all know about recycled paper but did you know you can get natural inks made from Soy? Well now you do; so next time you order flyers, posters, brochures, stationary, business cards and programs make sure they are using soy based natural inks so you are not paying to poison waterways and land fills. Lighting: So you think your halogen lights are pretty cool? Think again as today's technology has brought you ceramics with 1000W performance from a 250W bulb. How many lights in your show? How much do you pay for electricity? Check with your lighting designer and suppliers. Catering: Make sure your caterers and food vendors are using veggie plastic and recycled paper for their cutlery and plates. This may not be the cheapest way just yet but the more it is used on a large scale the cheaper it gets. I first saw it used at Oregon Country Faire Oregoncountryfair.org The plastic is made from vegetable oil and is biodegradable and most paper plate and cup suppliers should have a planet friendly alternative. Also encourage your staff to carry their own cups etc.; more hygienic and sets an example. Research biodegradable or planet friendly catering supplies and find a supplier near you. Water: Are you sick of all those half empty water bottles your staff and crew leave about? Yes; well so are your garbage utilities. Get the water delivered in large refillable bottles and have your staff bring their own drinking bottles they can refill at water stations. Less waste, less trash, and your crew will learn to be a bit more detailed and responsible. Generators: These should be diesel and you should use bio diesel, which is a mixture of vegetable oil, methanol and lye. You can put it straight into the tank. Less toxic and it smells a whole lot better than fossil diesel fumes and you keep farmers in livelihoods. See biodieselnow.com for discussions and doe.gov/refueling_mapsite for locations where you can fuel up. Sets, decorations, and signage: Yes art is not a planet friendly business but you can help by finding suppliers of used stuff and recycle it to suit your needs. This can save a bundle off your production budget and promote more original ideas in your sets, decorations, and signage. You can also donate your old stuff to art recyclers, schools, and community theaters. Often they will even pick it up for you. Do a bit of research in your local area. Garbage: Ugh but you have to deal with it. Make sure you have garbage stations each with separate bins for glass, paper, metal, plastic and food waste. This may even cut your garbage disposal cost down in some locations. Plus you get great kudos on the community front. See your local garbage utilities for more info. Do mention in your press release and broshures that you are using planet friendly products and procedures; it will give your production an edge in getting community and trade editorial. Remember that a production, no matter how big or small, will have an audience. Your audience is kind of like having students; you are there to teach by showing them something. The best way to teach is by example so by setting the example you are being the "Grown Up". I hope that made sense