Web Exclusive

Get Started Going Green
Seema Sueko, artistic director of Mo’oleo Performing Arts Company, shares her Green Theatre Implementation Plan


Introduction: The following plan was prepared in response to a “green” theatre initiative at the Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company.

Office/administration

• Use paper with maximum recycled content as possible
  
• Consider printing/ taking notes on one sided printed paper.
  
• Set computer to default double sided printing for office use.
  
• Reuse cardboard boxes for shipping purposes as possible.
  
• Involve California Regional Energy office in learning / persuading it to organize workshops to learn about energy efficiency in theater lighting. (If you want, you and I can take an appointment with the concerned person there.)
  
• For meetings, try to organize conference call meetings if possible to help save fuel.
  
  Water Conservation
  
• Kitchen and bathroom- plumbing appliances- check with management if they agree to switch to sustainable bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
  
  Electricity
  
• Check with management if they would want to switch to energy efficient light fixtures.
  
• Assign a person for tracking electricity use and possible reductions.
  
• Turn off electricity when not in use.
  
  Waste and Recycling
  
• Assign a person to track recycling volumes. Examples for cans, paper, cardboard glass etc. and see where we can use reduction of use to eliminate waste.
• Keep recycle bins in convenient places. Educate staff to recycle products as aluminum cans, paper, plastic, glass, battery etc. (Sometime later, I might work on a little presentation about it).
  
  Food
  
• For meetings, order food family style and ask the caterer to provide food in non-disposable/ reusable containers. (Starbucks have started giving coffee in reusable mugs!). This step will also help us achieve our goal towards educating community.
  
• Provide beverage in bulk rather than in individual cans, when possible.
  
• Encourage staff to get their own reusable coffee mugs and plates for regular use.
  
• Use PLA (plant starch based) plastics for dishes if recycling is necessary. (idea is to use bio-degradable products).
  
  Advertisements brochures and posters
  
• Size the poster to avoid trimming to edges
  
• Use non toxic adhesives when needed
  
• Use Soy- based ink if possible
  
• Use 20% FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper. (printing on recycled paper soaks ink- might have to check alternate ways of printing).
  
• Mounting should be done on recyclable material as much as possible. (Foam core board is not a green material to mount on).
  
  Cleaning
  
• Use green products for cleaning as they improve the indoor air quality. Some non- green products produce harmful emissions.
  
  Education
  
• Organize presentations inviting people from recycling agencies etc. to learn further about greening practices.
  
  Transportation
  
• Encourage carpooling
  
• Using public transport
  
• Company’s vehicle? Etc.

# # #

 

©2008 Dramabiz Magazine. All Rights Reserved.