Environment Group Meeting



To begin, we quickly went through the actions from the previous meeting:
  • There was no update on the energy storage; the theatre is looking for storage solutions for storing electricity made through solar panels etc. 
  • A bid has been made to provide carbon literacy training for staff and this will be provided by the Centre for Alternative Technologies. 
  • Stationary orders are now all going through one member of staff to ensure that they are eco-friendly and sustainably resourced. 
  • The communication team are working on the website to reduce the energy used on the server.
  • Music are working on the travel figures-miles and how to make it more energy efficient. The music associates can’t travel to the schools with instruments on a bicycle etc. 
  • The tree planting went ahead - a team from Theatr Clwyd planted 100+ native trees in beautiful local woodland - one small way they are trying to off set the environmental impact of the theatre
  • The bar now has only fair trade sustainable products being sold-coffee, tea etc. 
  • The wardrobe department are attending natural dyeing courses to see if it will work for what they need to produce. 
We talked about the Earth Hour event-it will take place on 25th March 8.30-9.30pm in the marquee at Theatr Clwyd. Earth hour aims to unite people across the globe to stop for an hour, turn off your electricity and do something for the planet, https://www.earthhour.org/our-mission. As far as the theatre are aware, they will be the first theatre to run an event during Earth Hour. It will be powered by no electricity apart from bicycle powered electronics-10 bikes operated by staff members and the audience. The plan is for an acoustic set and spoken word with candle light. 

Production gave an update; they are working with the National Theatre to create spreadsheets for materials. The purpose is to track materials information-where it came from, new or recycled from another show etc. The plan is to adapt the National’s spreadsheets for Theatr Clwyd's use and using them in all departments. They discussed sustainable touring and the possible use of electric vehicles and the need for electric charging points. There was a feeling that the theatre are still in the learning stage of the sustainability journey. 

Liam explained what he is hoping to commit to in the strategic priorities; under the theatre making aim, he hopes that that the theatre can deliver 2 productions in 2024/25 that are intermediate standard under the Theatre Greenbook. Working towards the advanced level in 2026/27. It is great to see such an ambitious aim to work towards. 

We discussed that the theatre could make a commitment to share learning within Wales. Also, having a linked storage hub; Wales centric and/or North West centric. We talked about how the theatre can influence the supply chain to get better products. Liam gave the example that he had approached the ice-cream supplier, Chilly Cow, that the theatre would not be able to buy their product anymore due to the use of plastic spoons. The supplier reacted by changing their spoons to wood. The hope is that the theatre can affect things nationally, producing wise, and audience behaviours, which are they two biggest issues. 

Wardrobe updated on their exploration into fast fashion using Asos as an example. They have been using organic T-shirts for productions instead of Primark cheap versions. They have found the more sustainably sourced last a lot longer. 

Set building was discussed: design and designers being the key. The design has to be sustainable in the first place which creates an opportunity for the theatre to lead the way on training designers-environmental training sessions. The theatre currently pay an additional green payment to designers if they have applied Greenbook ideas within the design. 

Reducing electricity within the lighting department was talked about. The concern surrounding the current tungsten lighting and how energy hungry they are and how they are becoming redundant in industry anyway. The theatre is looking at investing in new technologies for lighting. Departments are already reusing as much resources as possible including cabling. Cables and electricals are hard to source locally as most are produced in China. However, the electricity used in the new building will be supported through solar and other renewable sources.

It is really interesting attending these meetings and being able to follow the discussions about how each department can be as sustainable as possible. Issues have been debated that I would not even have thought about. I look forward to the upcoming meetings and the progress that has been achieved by the theatre.

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