Eco-friendly actions list

Note : you must register to fill in this list in your own Actions Profile page.

Production

• Email rather than print.
• When budgeting, make sure to include a budget line item to assess and take responsibility for your environmental footprint.
• Ask funding institutions to put in place application submission systems that can be common to all and sent via the internet (to save time, energy and paper).
• Use FTP for your file exchange.
• Use a USB key/Ipod instead of CD’s to carry your files.
• Use a scanner for sending and archiving your documents.
• Use webcam/videoconferencing (or skyping) instead of flying.

Transportation

• If you have to buy/rent vehicles for production purposes, use hybrids or fuel-efficient cars.
• Use a car pooling system or any other ecological transportation (bicycle, communal transport, etc) for production and office practices.
• Let the train take the strain!
• Try to hire local people when you can for your productions instead of flying the whole team (a nice way to save money while encouraging local work).

Shooting

• Re-use materials, for example tapes for transfers and rushes screenings.
• Manage your waste on a film set (leave no trace: bring back with you what you can’t recycle on location, no disposable plates or cups when possible, etc.).
• Recycle used batteries and office equipment at local neighborhood eco-centers or fire stations.
• Use rechargeable batteries.
• Instead of buying water bottles, buy reusable bottles for your team and filter your water in the office or buy local bio-degradable water bottles.
• Research recycling of sets and props.
• Pay your employees the local “living wage”.

Distribution

• Make sure any licensing/distribution deal includes a clause which allows public screenings and free copies to be made available in the community/country where the film was shot.
• Allow access to footage on a “creative commons” basis for non-profit, educational and research use.
• Use online distributio.

Office

• Purchase post-consumer recycled paper, print on both sides of your paper or use a double-sided printer.
• Shut your computer every day, it doesn’t harm it at all, and the energy saved at a large scale will be of a great impact (no, a screen saver is not an energy saver).
• Pull the plug on electronics and chargers; even though your electronics are not on, they still use energy when they are plugged.
• Use energy efficient lighting (compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) last four times longer but use 25 % of the energy).
• In winter, lower thermostats at night to reduce indoor heating costs and put electronic programmable thermostats so it’s easier to control the temperature (lowering by only 1 degree has a great impact).
• Evaluate your workplace energy consumption using public agency guidelines for better energy efficiency. Leaky plumbing and windows will cost you.
• Why cut trees for toilet paper and tissues? Greenpeace offers a comprehensive guide for recycled papers (http://tissue.greenpeace.ca).
• Use biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning products for the office.
• Buy biodegradable trash bags when available.
• Use only fair-trade organic coffee, tea and sugar and use a cloth coffee filter.
• Use cloth or recycled plastic shopping bags instead of disposable bags for groceries.

Other actions

You are invited to add other eco-friendly actions undertaken by you or your organization, and not listed here.