Environmental Group Meeting

I attended my first Environmental Group meeting for Theatr Clwyd on 9th December. I’m hoping by participating in the group, hearing the ideas and projects taken forward, it will inform my research; especially, around the theatre’s aim of sustainability. 

Purpose of the Group:


Theatr Clwyd was the first theatre in Wales to have an environmental policy and it needs revising. Instead of having one individual set the task to do this the group will revise the policy and implement initiatives. Under the capital redevelopment and renovations, the building will be much more eco-friendly and green. The group will discuss ways that all the departments can work towards having the greenest working practices that are possible. The collective responsibility is on the whole theatre to work towards the aim of being sustainable. The theatre is looking at the Theatre Green Book initiative for guidance on improving all aspects of the theatre.


“The Green Book is an initiative by the whole of theatre – working with sustainability experts Buro Happold – to work more sustainably. In three volumes it sets standards for making productions sustainably, for making theatre buildings sustainable, and for improving operations like catering and front of house.” https://theatregreenbook.com/


The Building:


  • The building will be heated through air source pumps, replacing the gas heating it has currently.

  • It will be insulated as much as possible so that the heat is retained and it won’t require as much energy to heat the building. The insulation includes bio-diversity projects on some of the roofs and walls.

  • Solar panels will also be placed in appropriate positions around the exterior of the building.

  • The theatre is working towards becoming carbon neutral and that includes sourcing their electricity from renewable sources.

  • Rainwater will be collected and used for the toilets.

  • The theatre is working with Flintshire County Council for there to be electric car charging points in the carpark.


Design and Production of Scenery, Sets and Props:


  • The theatre is working towards sustainable shows, that can only happen if all aspects of the shows are produced sustainably. The theatre green book sets out some ideas towards a base line. The production team discussed how the designers needed to keep the aims in mind when designing a show.

  • Reuse props and scenery - there was a long discussion around sharing props and sets with other theatres, having a database of what everyone has and share them. This will reduce the materials being used but there would be transport and storage implications.

  • Scenic construction could be changed to a modular design with responsibly sourced materials. The flats could be reused for other shows.

  • Move from steel as much as possible.

  • All materials to be responsibly sourced with the possibility of having a connection to a local source for wood etc.

  • Need to replace the gas forklift to an electric one.


Wardrobe:


  • Use sustainable materials and responsibly sourced cotton etc. 

  • Working with other theatres to reuse some costumes and materials. Again, there is the problem of storage and cataloging.

  • There was a discussion around the balance between the production values and the materials used.


Office:


  • Office supplies, are we buying eco-friendly products.

  • The third Green Book is currently unavailable but that will inform how the operations in a theatre can go green and sustainable.

  • Behaviour changes - encourage everyone to print less, don’t use as much paper, ban sticky notes, use staple-less staplers, move the printers further away to get people to question if they really want to print something off.


Creative Engagement:


The team had discussed collectively what they could achieve in the next 12 months and made their own pledges.


  • Only use recyclable cups or mugs for our participants in workshops and ask if everyone is willing to bring their own reusable drinks bottles.

  • Car share as a team whenever possible.

  • Limit printing and encourage digital use of scripts and resources where possible.

  • Recycle old workshop materials such as used felt pens and art materials.

  • Not use glitter (or if we must ensure it is of an environmentally friendly glitter)

  • Ensure a light out policy when leaving our workshop spaces.

  • Organise a litter pick in Daniel Owen Square as part of a session.

  • Commit to a term/festival or event themed on the environment. Bringing facts about the environment to each session (people can read one fact each week…)

  • Purchase environmentally friendly and recycled workshop materials when possible (ie. water based paints, recycled paper)

  • As much as possible source workshop materials and food supplied for workshops from local companies rather than multi nationals such as Amazon.

  • Only use rechargeable batteries


Other suggestions for the staff based at the St Davids building –


  • Meat free Mondays (One day a week where we share veggie
    /vegan recipes? And everyone has to sign up to this to not bring meat into the building?)

  • If we get electric bikes- all of us to commit to using these between journeys when appropriate.

  • We will display our pledges on our notice boards in our workshop spaces. 


The meeting was very positive on the ways in which the theatre can achieve its aim of being sustainable. We all agreed that there is a discourse between well-being and sustainability and that it would be good to look at the Well-being and Future Generations Act https://www.futuregenerations.wales/about-us/future-generations-act/ 


I’m looking forward to the next meetings and seeing the aims become a reality.

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