Sustainability Policy
We take our responsibility for the environment and its long term sustainability very seriously.
A pro-active approach to environmental sustainability in our core business of programme-making is a key priority - from first draft to final transmission. We are continually exploring ways to reduce our environmental impact and lower carbon emissions. This means addressing day-to-day management (such as reducing, re-using or recycling) and implementing sustainable values throughout the production supply chain.
The backbone to our sustainability drive is the Albert+ carbon calculator and sustainability programme (www.wearealbert.org). It provides a carbon footprint forecast before production begins followed by an actual footprint as post-production is completed. Used alongside the tools provided by the Albert+ website and the suggestions in this guide every production can dramatically reduce its impact on the environment.
Every Mammoth Screen production should enrol and complete the Albert+ carbon footprint.
Productions should then be able to develop further incentives to minimise their impact, but the following basics steps should be easily achieved on any scripted production. Further ideas are available on the Albert+ website.
Albert+
The key to a sustainable production is to start early and communicate well.
As soon as a production is green lit it will be registered on the Albert+ site by your Production Executive, with a log-in passed onto the Line Producer.
It is the Line Producer’s responsibility to complete the initial estimate of carbon footprint and submit it for review. This should be done as early as possible in the prep.
Using these guidelines and the key areas monitored by Albert+ the production team should agree positive measures to reduce waste and improve the production’s impact alongside robust systems to monitor progress.
The information gathered throughout the shoot can then be inputted on the Albert+ site to submit a final carbon footprint for review.
Communication
It is vital that the Mammoth Screen approach to sustainability is communicated effectively from pre-production stage, a ‘green memo’ being a key document in this process.
Make it clear to your core team that sustainability is important to you and to Mammoth Screen.
Require producers, production team and crew to integrate sustainable practices into their daily working practices. Issuing a sustainability memo to all crew alongside contracts is a good way to make production intentions clear.
Be clear about what areas you wish to target, how this can be achieved and how results should be recorded.
Advertise the Mammoth Screen sustainable approach to cast and crew where possible in offices, dining buses etc.
Encourage input from production team, cast and crew.
Ensure HODs are aware of their responsibilities within their department.
Monitoring and recording
Allocate responsibility for recording data to appropriate team members to spread the workload. For example Construction can record their material usage, production can monitor fuel, unit managers can monitor mileage on technical vehicles etc.
Production should record rail, plane and taxi journeys
Individuals should complete mileage logs
Unit managers should take initial and final mileage readings for tech and facility vehicles
Art directors and Construction managers should record timber and paint volumes
Basic Steps to Reduce Environmental Impact
Production Offices, Transport and Travel
The production team set the tone for a production as a whole and are key to demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and encouraging the whole cast and crew to participate in that effort.
Paperless Production
The main drive should be towards a paperless production. There are always key areas where cast and crew require paper copies - daily sides being an obvious example. However, callsheets, schedules, scripts and amendments can be used electronically by the vast majority of cast and crew.
A paperless approach also aids Mammoth Screen’s approach to data protection.
Keep communications digital where possible
Share documents (schedules, contact lists, maps, progress reports) on shared folders or by email
The standard approach to paperwork should be an ‘opt in’ approach whereby production distributes schedules, scripts and call sheets electronically by default
Any printing should be done on copy / printer paper with recycled content; 100% recycled being the ideal
Double sided printing should be standard bar those working on paper scripts
Environmentally-friendly Production Office
Reduce unnecessary travel by implementing virtual meetings using conference calls or Skype where possible
When arranging deliveries look for the lowest impact transportation (cycle couriers over fuel based couriers) and deliver electronically where possible
Shutdown all computers, printers and electronic equipment when they are not in use
Implement a policy of ‘last one out turns off the lights’ with appropriate signage by exits
Use fair trade products where possible
Implement recycling of paper, card, plastics, tins, glass etc
Use natural cleaning products - soaps, washing up liquid etc
Re-fill or recycle ink cartridges and implement the system across all departments
Leave office heating off unless specifically requested
Consider collecting used ink and toner cartridges for charity. This can be done for no charge at all to production for many charities, including Dog’s Trust (01635 588600.)
Transport, Travel and Hotels
Where possible use greener taxi services (hybrid / electric cars).
If production is based around London you could use a service called Green Tomato Cars who only use greener taxis. You can set up an account with them and they have an app that works a little like Uber. (www.greentomatocars.com)
Hire cars should be hybrids where possible (Production runner, production buyer, unit cars). The hire charges are significantly higher, however these are generally balanced out by savings on fuel, congestion charge etc. You can hire hybrid cars from Enterprise (www.enterprise.co.uk)
Minimise impact by sharing / co-ordinating journeys
Where possible use rail over air travel
Where possible use hotel chains with sound environmental credentials
Implement a no idling policy for all vehicles
General Production
Where possible use rechargeable batteries - especially within camera and sound departments
Where possible upload rushes rather than using a rushes runner
Use the most efficient generators possible and shut them down when not in use, i.e. meal breaks etc
Use mains electricity sources wherever practicable
Recycle gels or donate to local schools
Use LED lighting where possible, especially for working lights
Suppliers
All suppliers should provide their policy on sustainability
Local suppliers should be used where practicable
On Location
Use water coolers on set and at unit base
Purchase a water bottle for each member of crew
Provide a facility for recycling on set and at unit base
Skip / refuse removal companies should be engaged on the basis of their recycling rate. 80% is a good benchmark minimum
Location managers and unit managers should understand their responsibilities regarding waste disposal, use of bowsers both from an environmental and legal perspective.
Consider using solar powered lighting or eco LED tower lights at unit bases. Both are available from Supply2Location. (www.supply2location.com)
Catering
Caterers should sign up to the ten point plan (attached below)
Where possible china crockery should be used, but on continuous days recyclable containers should be provided
Recyclable cups should be used….never use polystyrene.
Art Department
Construction timber should be from FSC approved sustainable sources
Where possible water based paints should be used otherwise low VOC non-toxic paint should be used
Unused paints should be disposed of appropriately
All unwanted sets should be re-purposed where possible using appropriate 3rd parties where required.
Unwanted props should be sold (see financial guidelines for policy on sales), donated or recycled.
Waste for landfill must be kept to an absolute minimum
Source props locally where possible to minimise transportation
Cardboard storage and transport boxes should be recycled and eco-packaging materials used where practicable
If you need to store sets and props but are unsure whether another series will go into production, consider using Keptset Storage. As well as storing props and sets they also offer set and prop recycling under the name Scenery Salvage. (www.keptsetlogistics.com)
Post Production
Where possible upload rushes rather than using a rushes runner
Dailies, assemblies and viewing cuts should be distributed digitally
Electronic waste such as DVDs should be recycled
Electronic equipment should be turned off when not in use
Useful References
Biodegradable Dining / Packaging
Low Energy Lighting
Food Waste
www.biocollectors.com (London)
Sets and Props Repurposing / Recycling
www.collecteco.co.uk (Bristol)
Ethical Products
For a list of further suppliers head to
www.wearealbert.org/search-suppliers
Location Catering Sustainability Guidelines
At least one senior chef to have taken the Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS) sustainable catering course - City & Guilds certificate, therefore easy to verify. Here's a link to the website: http://www.ncasstraining.co.uk/home/sra_sustainability_training.aspx
When serving food they must utilise reusable plates (i.e. china), cups, cutlery (i.e. metal) - or use disposables if needed, made from recycled material, which themselves are biodegradable, compostable or recyclable e.g. here’s some examples of suppliers http://www.vegware.com/ , https://www.enviropack.org.uk
All catering waste to be recycled or composted where applicable i.e. packaging, food waste and disposables.
If you are responsible for supplying water to the crew on location please encourage cast & crews to bring own re-usable water bottles or provide them if needed at start of shoot. Utilise mass delivery of water i.e. from on-location taps, water cooler dispensers or other recyclable methods such as water boxes. No disposable water bottles allowed.
Use hypoallergenic, environmentally responsible detergents for cleaning that have minimum impact on the ecosystem both in their use and manufacturing process. Where possible, all raw materials should be plant-derived and obtained from renewable sources - as a minimum they need to be biodegradable - No petrochemicals, phosphates, preservatives, enzymes or synthetic perfumes.
Buy Fair-trade goods when possible but really a must for tea, coffee and fruit.
Buy Red Tractor Assured produce - see http://www.redtractor.org.uk - really widespread now and shouldn't be an issue to specify this quality assurance.
Use the Marine Conservation Society's "Good Fish Guide" and rating system when buying fish. Here's a link to their 'traffic light' rating system: https://www.mcsuk.org/goodfishguide/
To commit to buying locally sourced and seasonally appropriate food wherever possible – this could be tricky to judge but perhaps a % could be applied – it is outlined in the NCASS training how to achieve this cost effectively and most times it’s cheaper anyway – if they follow the NCASS guidelines they’ll achieve this statement.
This comes from the procurement sustainability questionnaire and has some useful guides for power use so maybe we could ask - Is your catering operation run in accordance with the Carbon Trust food preparation and sector guide (CTV035*) or equivalent, in regards to energy efficiency and management? e.g. http://www.carbontrust.com/media/138492/j7895_ctv066_food_prep_and_catering_03.pdf