Sustainability

 

The Generator Project

 

 

The Generator Project is a collaboration between Film & TV Crew, Production Companies, Film Offices and Equipment Suppliers who want to help speed up our industry’s transition to an energy-efficient, lower-carbon future. We are all aware of the impact traditional generators have on air quality and the subsequent damage caused to the environment and people’s health.

The Generator Project’s aim is to encourage more availability of Stage V generators, promote emerging Battery Technology, Green HVO, Hydrogen & LPG fuels. The Generator Project will showcase what works and what doesn’t and connect suppliers who invest in new generators & technologies with clients who are keen to do things differently. To make this happen we intend to gather data on current generator use in urban areas.

The Generator Project will use this information to circulate regular anonymised reports which track our industry’s take-up of cleaner alternatives. It will also be an information hub to help production companies discover new ways to power their shoots.

To find out more, visit The Generator Project website.

Sustainability

Did you know that in London alone it is calculated that the audiovisual industry generates the same amount of carbon dioxide as a city with 20,000 inhabitants.

Around 95% of the material used in a production usually ends up in the rubbish.

And according to Albert, BAFTA’s industry-backed sustainability project, the production of just one hour’s worth of TV content now produces 13 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

With alarming stats such as these what can productions do to help reduce carbon emissions and make their production sustainable?

Here are some top tips…

Measure and reduce your carbon footprint

  • Use a carbon calculator & carefully plan steps to reduce your carbon footprint
  • Sign-up to receive carbon literacy training and get Albert certified
  • Check you comply with the voluntary best standard for film, also known as the BS 8909. This is the British standard for film sustainability, giving a framework for organisations and productions to follow
  • Make use of Albert suppliers

Divert waste

  • Use reclaimed or salvaged materials in your production
  • Implement a waste management plan to ensure the minimum possible amount of waste goes to landfill
  • Establish a strict plan in advance for the disposal of materials at the end of a shoot – recycle, reuse, re-purpose!
  • Work digitally wherever possible and only print double-sided
  • Share your call sheets digitally and avoid unnecessary printing
  • Stop using plastic water bottles on set. Use reusable receptacles or compostable cups and install water coolers
  • Make sure food waste and leftovers at the end of filming are responsibly redistributed. Team up with a homeless shelter or a food waste charity
  • Plan in advance so that you can buy shoot supplies in bulk to reduce packaging
  • Use recycled paper only
  • Consider the impact of, for example, a massive set build rather than shooting on location

Review your transport:

  • Promote cycling, carpools and public transport
  • Consider the use of electric or hybrid vehicles

Be more energy efficient

  • Use LED lighting and rechargeable batteries
  • Connect to mains power wherever possible to reduce the need for generators
  • Use electric or hybrid generators
  • Investigate the possibility of bio-fuel, if use of generators is essential

Support local businesses

  • Boost the local economy and reduce your carbon footprint instead of importing or relocating services

Work together, communicate and share 

  • Ensure sustainability messages are delivered throughout the production process and organisation, and incentivise achievements
  • Use the call sheet to remind everyone of the communal objective and to share ‘green tips’
  • Encourage different production departments to communicate and collaborate to share materials and services such as transport

Sustainable production requires collaboration and commitment from the whole production team. So get everyone involved and make it an enjoyable process!

Head over to Albert for more information about sustainability.