Venues & Theatres

*A project of the National Resources Defense Council .

Where to start

Improving the sustainability of your operations takes time. This guide contains a range of suggestions and tools to improve your theatre’s environmental performance, but the most important thing is to simply get started. By implementing some of the ideas in this guide your organization can gradually improve operations and build support for additional improvements.

The suggestions outlined in this guide are diverse, and implementation strategies may vary. In some cases, these improvements will involve only minor adjustments. In others – such as encouraging recycling – improvements might involve more substantial adjustments. In all cases, however, there are certain steps that your organization can take to facilitate implementation of its environmental priorities.

  1. Establish an Organization -wide Environmental Policy – get everyone on board and involve people from different parts of your theatre staff
  2. Have an Energy Audit Performed – discuss cost-saving options with your utility, and cut energy waste
  3. Start Tracking Your Progress – measure your baseline and start tracking energy, water, waste, and paper use
  4. Change your Marquee Lightbulbs —convert exterior and ancillary lamps to energy-efficient CFL or LED bulbs and cut energy use
  5. Start a Recycling Program – find ways to cut waste, put a recycling bin next to every trash can, and train staff
  6. Reduce Water Use – retrofit bathrooms with low-flow plumbing fixtures, consider waterless urinals, cut down on water used for irrigation
  7. Use Less and Better Paper – find ways to cut down on paper use, double-side copying, reduce the distribution of paper-based guides and buy recycled
  8. Donate Food – collect unused food for donation to local shelters
  9. Switch to Green Cleaning Products – in the laundry and bathroom
  10. Involve Your Supply Chain – ask your food vendors to work with you on environmentally preferable food and serviceware options and work with other vendors and sponsors on greening other aspects of your theatre

If your environmental program is already off and running, here are some ways to take your green program to the next level:

  1. Choose Green Energy – switch to renewable energy with your provider, install solar panels, and/or buy carbon offsets for energy use
  2. Establish a No-idling Policy – for vehicles in facility grounds, parking lots, or when loading or unloading in front of the theatre.
  3. Start a Theatre-wide Composting Program – ideally for both staff and theatre attendees
  4. Provide Functioning Water Fountains – and make them easier to find by using signage
  5. Use Only 100% Recycled Content Paper – to enhance your green brand
  6. Engage Your Audience in Your Environmental Program – put greener living tips on your website, post signage and make environmental announcements at shows, offer a theatre attendee public transit discount or carpool program, etc.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY (FOR THEATERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES)

Many corporations have established organization-wide environmental policies to define and advance their commitment to these values. An environmental policy sends a clear message to employees, vendors, and the community at large. It’s a meaningful first step in any effort to improve an organization’s environmental performance. Consider implementing your own environmental policy using the sample policy below. Also consult Julie’s Bicycle Environmental Policy and Action Guidelines for additional guidance on creating an environmental policy and action plan.

Sample Environmental Policy

Human activity can have harmful effects on ecological systems and public health by contributing to serious environmental concerns such as deforestation, global warming, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. Recognizing this, [our organization] is committed to reducing our environmental footprint and promoting environmental stewardship at all levels of our organization. Our goal is to operate a world-class entertainment business and to provide an exciting experience for theatregoers while minimizing our organization’s impact on the environment and helping to preserve the ability of future generations to safely live and perform in our shared natural environment.

[Our organization] will strive to identify and purchase environmentally preferable supplies and services for all productions and events where economically feasible. Wherever possible, [our organization] will strive to minimize pollution and waste, conserve energy and water, protect habitats, support renewable energy resources, buy environmentally friendly products, and encourage environmentally preferable transportation.

These efforts will extend to contractor and supplier relationships, where [our organization] will encourage contractors and suppliers serving or otherwise acting on behalf of the organization to meet our standards of environmental performance.

Employee understanding and involvement is essential to the implementation of this environmental policy. All employees will receive a copy of this policy and be educated about our organization’s efforts to improve our environmental performance. Employees at all levels of the company will be involved in supporting our goals.

Our commitment to environmental stewardship is long-term. A healthy environment benefits everyone – employees, theatregoers, cast, crew, sponsors and the community at large.

Examples of Environmental Policies from the Theatrical Industry:

Examples of Corporate Environmental Policies:

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Drafting an environmental policy sends a message to employees, cast, crew, other organizations, sponsors, and theatregoers that your organization considers environmentally intelligent practices an organizational priority. When a company adopts such a policy, it becomes easier to meet these goals.

INVOLVING STAFF

Involving staff members is essential to the success of any effort to enhance your organization’s environmental performance. Consider convening a staff meeting with NRDC personnel or sending a memo to all staff members informing them of your organization’s environmental goals. Also consider forming an eco-committee of interested staff members to help oversee and implement your organization’s efforts and to provide new ideas and feedback to relevant departments.

HOW TO FORM AN ECO-COMMITTEE

Involving senior management is essential to the success of any organization’s greening effort, but it is not sufficient to only include senior management in environmental decision-making. When attempting to enhance environmental performance, companies should involve employees at all levels of the organization. One of the best ways to promote the participation of employees is to form an eco-committee composed of interested staff. An eco-committee can be a valuable component of your organization’s effort to enhance its environmental performance. It can be a source for new ideas and motivation and can serve as a link between upper management and individual departments.

Since all operations engender some type of environmental impact, and since often the employees in different areas of the organization have the best ideas about how to make environmental improvements in those areas, eco-committees should be made up of staff from all departments at various levels. For example:

  • Involving facility operations staff is critical to ensure the maximum use of non-toxic cleaning products.
  • Involving production office employees is essential to ensure that procurement policies, office recycling, and paper reduction efforts are carried out.
  • The participation of upper management is necessary to ensure that sustainability is a priority throughout the organization.

An eco-committee should meet regularly to discuss progress, goals, and strategies. In addition, it should periodically provide updates to upper management. Feel free to excerpt the sample memo below, and review some of our other ideas for increasing staff involvement.

Sample Memo to Staff

I’m writing to let you know that [our organization] is launching an organization-wide effort to improve our environmental performance and facility operations. As you might know, our day-to-day operations, from energy and water use to the paper we purchase, can have a significant impact on the environment. By carefully focusing on reducing these impacts, we should be able to improve our organization’s efficiency and enhance our brand while helping the environment and our bottom line.

The strategic objectives of our Environmental Initiative will be:

  • Conserving, recycling, and purchasing ecologically superior paper
  • Energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy
  • Promoting recycling and waste reduction
  • Efficient water use
  • Using less toxic products
  • Reducing global warming pollution
  • Protecting biodiversity
  • Promoting audience and sponsor awareness and education

We’ll begin this effort by creating an Eco-Committee that includes representatives of various departments. The organization will lead a company-wide diagnosis of our current environmental performance and draft an Action Plan, complete with specific recommendations, for consideration by senior management. We will review the plan together, suggest changes or additions, and then begin implementation.

This is an important effort for the organization, not just because it can save us money, but especially because it can benefit the environment for future generations, including audiences, young performers, and professional actors. By reducing our own contribution to environmental problems we can be better corporate citizens.

I believe our environmental initiative will also enhance employee morale and provide community relations benefits. I hope that as we devise and implement our plan we will be able to foster an organization-wide commitment to environmentally intelligent practices of which we can all be proud.

In short, I hope our environmental initiative will benefit our organization on many fronts, and I hope you’ll join in this effort enthusiastically.

Ideas to involve staff:

  • Distribute branded reusable coffee mugs, water bottles, or shopping bags along with a memo or brochure explaining your organization’s initiative
  • Offer a monthly raffle or prizes for participation in your organization’s eco-committee, or for offering suggestions on how to improve environmental performance
  • Provide clear and very visible signs at recycling, printing, and food stations to promote compliance with the theatre’s eco-practices
  • Offer incentives or rewards for using alternate transit methods like biking, public transit, or carpools
  • Organize eco-committee social events to build interest and reward members

VENDOR CONTRACTS

Including environmental language in requests for proposals and contracts increases the likelihood that your organization’s procurement goals will be met by your vendors.

Consider incorporating the general language below into new contracts and requests for proposals. The EPA Preferable Purchasing Program is also an excellent source for specific product and service categories.

General Contract Language:

[Our organization] has adopted an environmental policy to improve our environmental performance. To further these goals, products and services contracted for by the organization will be evaluated in part based on their environmental attributes. Specific factors to be considered include:

  • Greenhouse gas emissions
  • Habitat impacts
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Recycled content
  • Energy efficiency
  • Water efficiency
  • Toxic chemical reduction

Please address these concerns when submitting your proposals.

Including language related to environmental concerns in contracts helps solidify your organization’s commitment to ecological progress and can lay the groundwork for positive vendor involvement in your environmental initiative. Every company that requests environmentally preferable products from its suppliers sends a signal that these kinds of requests are valued.

Environmentally intelligent contract language can incorporate a wide range of environmental objectives. There are many possibilities. For example:

  • A contract with an advertiser at a theatre could specify or encourage that all advertisements be printed on recycled paper.
  • A contract with a food delivery service could specify that it will use fuel-efficient vehicles and purchase carbon credits to offset total vehicle miles traveled.
  • A contract with a food vendor could include provisions for giving priority to local suppliers and for composting food waste.

Energy

ENERGY AUDITS

During an energy efficiency audit, a trained engineer conducts an analysis of your facility’s energy use and identifies opportunities for enhanced efficiency that are likely to save your organization money and improve your environmental performance.

Some utilities provide free energy efficiency audits for large commercial operations. Contact your energy provider to find out if they offer a free or subsidized energy audit or other low cost options for evaluating your facility’s energy use. Many utilities will also assist your organization in finding rebates, subsidies and other incentives for energy efficiency improvements. For example, this section contains specific information about New York resources, as well as links to similar opportunities elsewhere.

Contact NYSERDA at 1-866-NYSERDA or info@nyserda.org to set up an energy audit through their FlexTech Program , which offers cost-sharing incentives for energy audits, efficiency upgrades, peak-load reduction and load management, and retro-commissioning projects.

ConEd will also cover up to 50% of the cost for an ASHRAE Level III energy audit.

Your organization may also want to consult an energy service company (ESCO), which can conduct an energy audit and finance and install energy efficiency improvements, sometimes in exchange for a share of the energy cost savings. For a directory of ESCOs, visit the National Association of Energy Service Companies database .

ENERGY AUDITS SAVE MONEY

Reducing your energy consumption is smart business.

Through the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting and electronically-commutated motors (ECMs) on refrigeration systems at stores and warehouses, Stop & Shop has saved $4 million in cost savings and utility rebates between 2008 and 2011. With the assistance of Bluestone Energy Services, these upgrades have saved over 46 million kWh in four years, with an average payback period of two years.

Between 1990 and 2008, IBM avoided 5,000,000 MWh of energy, yielding savings of over $340 million in direct energy expenses through energy conservation initiatives. IBM’s energy strategy now aims for even more reductions through efficiency and conservation, targeting a total reduction of 1.1 million MWh between 2009 and 2012. As of 2011, IBM has already made progress towards that goal, reducing electricity use by 523,000 MWh and saving an additional $50 million.

Between 2000 and 2006, with the assistance of Avista Advantage (now Ecova), an energy consulting company, Food Lion reduced energy consumption in its stores by 25%, even though its total number of stores increased. Through a variety of upgrades to lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration systems, the company saved $105 million.

WHAT IS AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AUDIT?

An energy efficiency audit analyzes and evaluates your organization’s existing energy use with an eye towards financial savings. Individual audits can vary, but they are likely to cover the following items:

  • Available incentives
    • Equipment rebates
    • Time-of-use discounts
    • Tax rebates and credits
  • Baseline energy use profile
  • Building envelope improvements
  • Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems
    • Retrofit and replacement
    • Improved schedules
    • Improved placement of thermostats and air sensors
    • Improved computer programs
  • Lighting
    • Installation of timers and automatic sensors
    • Replacement of light fixtures and bulbs
    • Improved scheduling
  • Plumbing improvements
    • Identification of leaks
    • Improved pipe insulation
  • Overall design of your organization’s energy management program
  • Solar and wind power feasibility studies

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Electric power plants are the country’s largest industrial source of the pollutants that cause global warming, acid rain, and mercury poisoning in lakes and rivers. By conducting an energy audit, your organization can identify ways to reduce its consumption of fossil fuels and its emission of greenhouse gases, as well as other pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (causes acid rain), nitrous oxide (creates ground level ozone and causes respiratory disease), mercury (poisons streams and lakes and causes neurological damage), and fine particulate matter (causes respiratory disease).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

An energy audit will identify opportunities for cost savings through efficiency improvements. In the absence of an audit, consider implementing the suggestions in the sections below.

The federal government’s Energy Star program offers many technical resources to help your organization reduce its energy use:

ENERGY STAR BUILDING MANUAL

Energy Star Building Manual: Lighting

Energy Star Building Manual: Financing

Energy Star Building Manual: Air Distribution Systems

Energy Star Building Manual: Heating and Cooling

Energy Star Building Manual: Investment Analysis

ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES

For example, NYSERDA offers incentives to eligible commercial facilities for efficiency projects including upgrades to heating and cooling systems, lighting, motors, commercial refrigeration, Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx) and controls. Visit their Existing Facilities Program for more information about available incentives or contact them at EFPOutreach@nyserda.ny.gov or 1-866-NYSERDA (Choose extension “0,” and ask to speak with an Existing Facilities Project Coordinator regarding the CFA process). For facilities that need technical assistance with feasibility studies or projects, consider participating in NYSERDA’s FlexTech Program

ConEd’s Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Program also offers incentives for upgrading equipment including lighting fixtures, LED exit signs, chillers, packaged heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, motors, water and steam boilers. They will also cover up to 50% of the cost for an ASHRAE Level III energy audit. For more information visit their Energy Efficiency Study website or contact them at conedci@lmbps.com or (877)-797-6347.

If your venue is outside of New York City, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency for a list of energy efficiency incentives and rebates in your state.

Calculate savings from energy-efficient products.

LIGHTING

  • Convert lighting on exterior marquees, and in bathrooms, lobbies, backstage areas, and ancillary areas like offices, dressing rooms, basements, machinery rooms, grids, back alleys, and stairways to energy-efficient CFL or LED fixtures and use motion-sensors or timers on lighting where feasible.
  • Turn off lights in areas that are not in use. For example, house lights can be turned off after the cleaning crew and porters have finished cleaning in the morning. Lights do not need to stay on for the entire shift while staffers clean other areas in the venue.
  • Adjust lighting and equipment schedules based on occupancy levels and staff schedules.
  • Work with light bulb manufacturers to develop energy-efficient, warm, smoothly dimming decorative lamps for theatres’ chandeliers and candelabras.

For example, NYSERDA offers incentives for LED lighting products that are Energy Star or Design Lights Consortium approved.

TIPS FOR REDUCING ENERGY USE

There are many things that your venue can do to increase the efficiency of its energy use. The tips below are a useful start.

  • Buy Energy Star -rated appliances, electronics, lighting, and HVAC systems. For product categories that are not rated by Energy Star, consult the Federal Energy Management Program’s procurement guide .
  • Coat roofs with reflective paint to reduce cooling costs.
  • Seal leaks in the building envelope.
  • Increase insulation, especially along windows and above ceilings.
  • Lower the temperature on your thermostats.
  • In the heating season, keep shades on sun-facing windows open during the day and closed at night. In the cooling season, keep shades on sun-facing windows closed during the day.
  • Install programmable thermostats.
  • Lower the thermostat on your water heaters.
  • Properly insulate hot water storage tanks and heating pipes.
  • Replace single-pane windows with double-pane Energy Star-rated windows.
  • Install energy-efficient (Energy Star-rated) washers and dryers in wardrobe departments.
  • Remind cast and crew to turn off lights when they are not needed.
  • Encourage actors and production staff to turn off window air conditioners and unplug all unnecessary electronics when they are not in use.

For more on reducing your venue’s energy use, consult with your energy suppliers and local Public Utilities Commission, and visit the pages below:

REDUCING ENERGY SAVES MONEY

Reducing your organization’s energy consumption is smart business.

The New Victory Theatre in New York City upgraded lighting on their exterior kinetic light sculpture, reducing exterior lighting costs by 80% a year, and saving $50,000 annually.

The Gershwin Theatre upgraded exterior and interior lighting throughout their lobby, dressing rooms, backstage areas, and bathrooms, resulting in 309,651 kWh savings from 2009-2013.

The National Theatre in London upgraded its external lighting to LED, reducing electricity consumption by 70%. They have also saved energy by switching off rigs and discharge lights between the final check and half-hour call, nearly doubling lamp life.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Electric power plants are the country’s largest industrial source of the pollutants that cause global warming, acid rain, and mercury poisoning in lakes and rivers. By conducting an energy audit, your organization can identify ways to reduce its consumption of fossil fuels and contribution to emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, as well as other pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (causes acid rain), nitrous oxide (creates ground level ozone and causes respiratory disease), mercury (poisons streams and lakes and causes neurological damage), and fine particulate matter (causes respiratory disease).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

HVAC

Heating, cooling, and ventilation systems consume a lot of energy. Replacing a less efficient system with a more efficient model will yield energy and cost savings during the course of its use.

When purchasing a new HVAC system, consider purchasing the most efficient model that suits your needs. Visit the US EPA’s Energy Star products database for a list of the most efficient HVAC systems. In addition, consult the Energy Star Building Manual for Heating and Cooling to learn more about HVAC efficiency upgrades. For those products that are not rated by Energy Star, consult the Federal Energy Management Program.

For a list of available incentives and rebates in your state, visit the State Database of Renewables and Efficiency and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s Tax Incentives Assistance Project.

A zoning system that conditions spaces based on different use “zones” can also be an effective way to reduce HVAC energy use in your building, particularly if your building has spaces with very variant occupancy levels throughout different times of the day.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY SAVES MONEY

Replacing inefficient HVAC equipment with newer, more efficient, and better-designed equipment will yield operating cost reductions during the lifetime of a new or renovated facility. According to the EPA, replacing components of an older HVAC typically yield annual savings of around 20% below current energy costs.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

When replacing HVAC equipment, keep the following in mind:

  • Consider using the EPA’s Energy Star program.
  • If Energy Star does not rate the particular appliance, purchase the most efficient model feasible.
  • Look for other energy saving features such as programmability and power-saving functions.
  • Many products continue to use energy, even when they’re turned off. Look for products that use as little energy as possible while in “off” mode.
  • When replacing lighting and appliances with more efficient models, heating loads can be reduced, sometimes enabling your facility to downsize HVAC systems.

BENEFITS OF REPLACING HVAC SYSTEMS

Most energy consumed in the United States comes from coal, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and numerous negative heath impacts and while also adding significantly to human-derived global warming.

Investing in better HVAC systems also ensures a healthier environment for theatre staff, audiences, and cast and crew members. Improved filtration technology decreases the amount of particulates and bio contaminants (fungus, mold, viruses) in the workspace. Newer HVAC systems are also more adept at filtering and sealing out nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and other air pollutants that can harm staff and visitors to your facility.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

RECs

Many states and utilities offer opportunities to purchase renewable energy directly from your electricity service provider. Consult Green-e for opportunities in your area.

In areas where you cannot purchase renewable energy through your existing provider, your organization may want to consider enrolling in a utility green pricing program or purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs), which ensure that energy providers deliver renewable electricity to the grid that is equal to the amount you consume. Whichever option you choose, you can make sure the renewable energy you purchase meets the highest standards of environmental quality by looking for credible third party certification like Green-e. Visit Green-e for a list of REC providers in your state. The EPA’s Guide to Purchasing Green Power (PDF) is an excellent reference, with step-by-step instructions and lists of available resources.

The cheapest, cleanest energy is the energy you don’t use. Before purchasing renewable energy, consider improving the energy efficiency of your facilities. With the money you save, you can consider investing in renewable energy and still reduce your overall energy bill.

WHAT ARE RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS?

RECs represent an investment in renewable energy generation projects. Instead of buying renewable energy directly from your electricity provider, purchasers of RECs ensure that renewable facilities deliver clean energy into the grid and displace nonrenewable energy sources. By helping to substitute fossil fuel generation with renewables, your organization helps to prevent emissions of greenhouse gases. RECs are not the same as carbon offsets, which are designed to offset carbon emissions associated with energy use.

RENEWABLE ENERGY BENEFITS

By investing in renewable energy, you are helping to finance renewable energy products across the country. Fossil fuel energy generation – for electricity, transportation, and industrial uses – is the principal cause of air pollution and global warming. By purchasing renewable energy, your organization can reduce its demand for fossil fuel energy and also reduce its contributions to smog, acid rain, pollution-related illness, and global warming.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ON-SITE RENEWABLES

On-site renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, is a way to supply some of the power for your facility while reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Many major companies, educational institutions, and governmental facilities now use some type of on-site renewable energy to provide power to their facilities.

Visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency for a list of available incentives and rebates in your state.

NYSERDA offers funding for the installation of solar electric PV systems, solar thermal hot water systems, wind turbines, and geothermal heating and cooling systems. Visit their Renewable Energy site for details on eligible models and available installers.

ON-SITE RENEWABLES CAN BE COST-EFFECTIVE

On-site renewables, such as wind and solar power, can help keep the cost of your electricity stable, improve the fuel diversity of your system, promote your facility’s energy independence, and generate positive publicity by visibly demonstrating a civic commitment to reduce fossil fuel use. They also offer the potential to feed excess energy that is generated on-site back into the grid (called “net-metering,” which can turn your meter backwards), a potential source of income. In addition, there are incentives available that can reduce the initial capital cost.

ON-SITE SOLAR GENERATION AT THEATRES

Broadway Stages partnered with Solar Energy Systems, Greenpoint Energy Partners and NYSERDA to install a 50,000-square-foot solar PV system on their roof, intended to provide power to their seven Brooklyn studios. The system is projected to cover 32% of their power needs annually, producing 500,000 kWh of energy each year. This adds up to as much as $100,000 in avoided energy costs, and 822,000 pounds of avoided carbon dioxide emissions.

The Wharf , home of Sydney Theatre Company in Australia, installed a 384-kW solar PV system on their roof in November 2010, which was at the time the second largest rooftop installation in Australia. The 1906-panel system uses Suntechpluto monocrystalline cell technology that was co-developed by the University of New South Wales. The system provides approximately 70% of the theatre’s energy use.

For more examples of on-site solar generation, visit the following website: On-site Renewables at EPA Offices .

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Fossil fuel energy generation – for electricity, transportation, and industrial uses – is the principal cause of air pollution and global warming. By generating electricity from on-site solar, your organization can reduce its demand for fossil fuel energy and also reduce its contributions to smog, acid rain, pollution-related illness, and global warming.

Water

INDOOR WATER EFFICIENCY

WATER AUDITS

A water audit analyzes a facility’s water use and identifies ways to make it more efficient. An audit reviews domestic, sanitary, landscaping, and process-water use and recommends ways to increase your facility’s water-use efficiency. An audit is often free of charge and can save your organization money on avoided water use costs.

Consider contacting a contractor to increase the efficiency of your organization’s water use. Some contractors will conduct audits of water use and will help finance water efficiency improvements in exchange for a share of cost savings. For a list of water conservation contractors, visit the American Water Works Association’s Sourcebook . Contractors who perform water efficiency audits can be found under “conservation.” Many of these companies operate nationally.

For detailed information on water audits and water efficiency, see New Mexico’s Water Conservation Guide for Commercial, Institutional and Industrial Users (PDF).

Visit the EPA’s WaterSense Program for additional water conservation opportunities in your state.

WATER AUDITS SAVE MONEY

Before switching to waterless urinals in 2007, each of the 178 urinals at the STAPLES Centerin Los Angeles (home to the LA Lakers, Clippers, Kings, and Sparks) was consuming 44,000 gallons of water each year. Now each waterless urinal saves roughly 4.5 HCF per month, totaling over 7,000,000 gallons per year. The STAPLES Center now saves over $28,000 per year in direct water costs, not including sewer charges, reduced maintenance costs, and any other municipal taxes.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jerseyat LaGuardia Airport upgraded its restroom facilities to increase the water-use efficiency of toilets, faucets, and showers. It installed a leak detection system, ultra–low flow toilets, high efficiency aerators for faucets, and flow restrictors on showerheads. These improvements have yielded annual water savings of almost $140,000, compared with an initial capital cost of only $90,000.

Unilever, which produces over 400 brands of home, personal care, and food products, performed a water audit of a laundry detergent factory in Georgia in 1995 and then embarked upon a program of increased efficiency efforts, including rainwater collection, wastewater reuse, and educating employees on the economic and environmental importance of water conservation. These improvements save the company over $100,000 a year.

LOW-FLOW FIXTURES, WATERLESS URINAL, AND WATER-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES

Installing water-efficient appliances, low-flow fixtures, and aerators saves money and water. Aerators for faucets and showers require an initial capital investment, but they can often pay back the investment in under a year, especially in situations where they are in heavy use.

Installing waterless urinals not only saves water, but also reduces energy use, infrastructure costs, water discharge costs, and maintenance costs. A single waterless fixture at a stadium or arena can save an average of 40,000 gallons of water per year, and saves energy by eliminating the need for water to be transported to the urinal or discharged to a water treatment facility. By reducing the load on treatment plants, waterless systems can help reduce the need for costly water treatment capacity and reduce the incidence of overflow events at treatment facilities. Research also shows that waterless urinals are more hygienic than traditional urinals, as the absence of water reduces bacterial growth.

Dual flush toilets also offer water savings opportunities. A dual flush toilet offers two flush settings for either solid or liquid waste, typically 1.6 gpf vs .8 gpf, and can reduce water use by as much as 70%.

Many utilities and city governments offer incentives to purchase and install low-flow and waterless fixtures. Contact your water utility to learn more about these programs.

For water rebates near you, consult EPA’s Water Rebate Finder .

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

  • Toilets: 1.28 gpf or 1.6/0.8 gpf dual flush
  • Urinals: 0.125 gpf or waterless
  • Faucets: .5 gpm
  • Shower heads: 1.5 gpm
  • Service sinks 2.0 gpm

Also consider replacing old washing machines with front-loading, water-efficient washing machines for your organization’s laundry. Consult Energy Star’s Commercial Clothes Washers for product listings.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Almost half the world’s population lives without a steady supply of clean drinking water. In the United States, many sources of freshwater are being depleted faster than they can be recharged by natural processes. This is especially true in the Southwest. The Colorado River, for example, which supplies water to 30 million people in seven states and Mexico, is at its lowest level since water flow records began being kept about 100 years ago. It often runs dry before it reaches the sea, adversely impacting farmers, residents, and aquatic life.

Water conservation is especially important in light of the looming pressures of global warming, which threaten to significantly increase evaporation as well as instances of severe drought. Water scarcity will rival sea level rise as one of the consequences of global climate disruption. Water conservation measures can help to ensure that future generations have access to the water they need.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

LANDSCAPING

Efficient landscaping design and strategies can be an opportunity to substantially reduce outdoor water use.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE

Consider the following design strategies and irrigation practices to improve the water efficiency of your landscaping:

  • Use xeriscaping techniques
  • Choose locally adapted and water efficient plants
  • Mulch around plants to prevent evaporation, and keep roots cool and moist in hotter climates
  • Water plants overnight or at the coolest part of the day to avoid evaporation
  • Use efficient irrigation technologies
  • Install submeters to help identify leaks and track consumption, and regularly check systems for leaks or damage
  • Use non-potable water for irrigation, such as captured rainwater, greywater, or recycled wastewater

Xeriscaping

Consider xeriscaping techniques when designing your landscaping. Xeriscaping is a landscaping method that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation, and is especially beneficial in arid regions where water is scarce. The basic principles of xeriscaping include proper site design, soil analysis and improvement, water-efficient plant selection, practical turf areas, efficient irrigation, mulching, and appropriate maintenance. For more information on xeriscaping, visit Denver Water’s Xeriscaping page or CalRecycle’s Xeriscaping page .

Plant Selection

Choose native, adaptive, and drought-tolerant plants. Native plants that grow naturally in an area require less water, fertilizer, and pest control. Visit the Plant Conservation Alliance for information about native plants you can grow in your state, as well as invasive species to be avoided in your area. Adaptive plants are non-native, but can adapt well to the region’s local climate and soil conditions. By choosing native, adaptive, and drought-tolerant plants for your landscaping, which require less water, your organization can save water and money.

Efficient Irrigation Technologies

Drip irrigation systems save water and reduce fertilizer needs by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots through a network of valves, pipes, or tubing. This method reduces evaporation and surface runoff, increasing irrigation efficiency to 90%. While a drip irrigation system might cost more up front than a conventional irrigation system, reduced costs water savings can often help offset these costs.

Weather-based irrigation controllers can also yield considerable water savings. Weather-based control systems adjust irrigation scheduling to actual conditions onsite or historical weather data, to allow for changes in watering schedules based on weather conditions and water requirements for plants. Soil moisture sensors and rain sensors are also useful technologies to make watering schedules more efficient.

For a detailed guide on efficient landscaping and outdoor water use, see WaterWise Landscaping and Watering Guide (PDF).

For a detailed guide on water use efficiency, see New Mexico’s Water Conservation Guide for Commercial, Institutional and Industrial Users .

Efficient Irrigation Saves Money

The Harvard Business School Campus installed a computerized irrigation system that monitors ambient rainfall and weather, at a total cost of under $250,000. The system senses the irrigation needs of zones all around the campus and keeps moisture levels in balance throughout the year. The system saves almost 5 million gallons of water every year, totaling about $50,000 in annual savings.

In 2002, the Shoreline School District in Seattle, in cooperation with Seattle Public Utilities, implemented a number of water conservation efforts focused on increasing the efficiency of the district’s irrigation operations at sixteen sites north of Seattle. Improvements included rain sensors and a more analytic approach in determining irrigation schedules. After an initial capital cost of $175,000, the district now saves over $50,000 per year.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

In the summer, outdoor water use for landscaping can exceed all indoor water use for the entire year. Native species of grasses, plants, and trees have evolved for hundreds of thousands of years and are well adapted to regional climates, soils, and pests. Because of this, they require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides, saving money, conserving water, and reducing water pollution. Conventional irrigation technologies and daytime watering often result in water evaporating before it can be consumed by plants. By using water-efficient irrigation technologies such as drip irrigation, and by watering in the evening and overnight, your organization can reduce the amount of water that evaporates, saving water and saving money.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

URBAN RUNOFF/STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

As rain falls and washes over rooftops, streets, and parking lots, it collects dirt, trash, and other pollutants and often carries them into rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans. Consider taking steps to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff from your facility.

Tips to reduce urban runoff:

  • Sweep sidewalks and other pervious surfaces instead of washing with a hose
  • Consider permeable surface alternatives to conventional asphalt and concrete
  • Maximize other permeable surfaces and vegetated areas such as rain gardens, lawns and landscaped areas
  • Consider planting grass and trees on rooftops

For more information on stormwater reduction, see the resources below.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT CAN SAVE MONEY

At 2.5 acres, the green roof atop the Target Center, home to the Minnesota Timberwolves, captures about a million gallons of stormwater per year, saving $10,000 annually in stormwater charges, as well as helping to alleviate the urban heat island effect.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

In many parts of the country, urban runoff is the single greatest source of water pollution. In addition to dirt and debris, urban runoff can include such toxic components as oil and heavy metals like lead and mercury, in addition to other pollutants that might find their way onto roads and rooftops. These pollutants have a negative effect on drinking water supplies, recreation, and wildlife. By taking steps to minimize urban runoff, your organization can help reduce these negative impacts.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

WATER RECYCLING AND REUSE

WASTEWATER RECYCLING

Recycled wastewater systems disinfect water collected from showers and baths, laundry, and bathroom sinks for non-potable water uses including irrigation and toilets. Although treating greywater requires an initial capital investment, doing so conserves water and can yield savings in annual water bills. Review the examples below and consider installing a water recycling system when building a new facility or renovating an existing building.

Wastewater recycling can save money

Unilever, which produces over 400 brands of home, personal care, and food products, performed a water audit of a laundry detergent factory in Georgia in 1995 and then embarked upon a program of increased efficiency efforts, including rainwater collection, wastewater reuse, and educating employees on the economic and environmental importance of water conservation. These improvements save the company over $100,000 a year.

Solaire Apartments, located in Battery Park in New York City, was built in 2003 and contains 250 units. Water from irrigation, cooling towers, and toilets is collected, treated, and reused again for those purposes. The system reduces the building’s freshwater use by 75%.

RAINWATER HARVESTING

Collecting rainwater off roofs for reuse can be an environmentally preferable and a potentially economical approach to fulfilling a portion of your facility’s water needs. Rainwater catchment systems, which can include cisterns, rain barrels, and other simple devices to capture and reuse rainwater, can be designed and installed on a small scale as well as at larger scales.

Review the examples below, and consider installing a rainwater catchment system when embarking upon new construction or renovation.

Rainwater catchment examples

  • NRDC’s Santa Monica Office
  • Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany
    • This venue for the 2006 FIFA Soccer World Cup uses a rainwater harvesting system that diverts rainwater into one of the largest cisterns in Europe, capable of storing over 49,000 cubic feet of water. The cistern supplies non-potable water for uses such as irrigating the soccer field.
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology Stata Center
    • Stormwater/rainwater catchment system provides water for non-potable uses such as toilets. Case Study

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Almost half the world’s population lives without a reliable supply of clean drinking water. In the United States, many sources of freshwater are being depleted faster than they can be recharged by natural processes. This is especially true in the Southwest. The Colorado River, for example, which supplies water to 30 million people in seven states and Mexico, is at its lowest level since water flow records began being kept about 100 years ago. It often runs dry before it reaches the sea, adversely impacting farmers, residents, and aquatic life.

Water conservation is especially important in light of the looming pressures of global warming, which threaten to significantly increase evaporation as well as instances of severe drought. Water scarcity will rival sea level rise as one of the consequences of global climate disruption. Recycling wastewater helps reduce pressure on drinking water resources.

Harvesting rainwater helps preserve natural water resources and stream and river ecosystems. Rainwater catchment systems also can reduce the need to transport water from distant locations, thereby reducing energy use and infrastructure requirements. Water conservation measures can help to ensure that future generations have access to the water they need.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Waste

WASTE AUDITS

WHAT IS A WASTE AUDIT?

Before implementing a recycling program, your organization should conduct a waste audit. During a waste audit, the auditor investigates the sources, composition, weight, volume, and destinations of the waste that your venue generates. Organizations exist that will perform this service free of charge, or they can be performed in-house by staff members. By learning more about the trash your venue generates, you can be better informed about the products you buy that contribute to waste and be prepared to efficiently dispose of it, saving your organization money and improving your theatre’s environmental performance.

HOW TO PERFORM A WASTE AUDIT

Performing a waste audit is an effective way to learn more about the trash your venue generates. In order to create an accurate representation of your organization’s waste stream and how much you’re currently diverting towards recycling (including composting), consider performing multiple waste audits, each during a different season during the year.

  1. Ensure proper safety measures

    Provide thick gloves to sorters and make sure that everyone has had their tetanus shots. Involve the organization’s occupational health and safety director.

  2. Ensure proper confidentially measures

    The waste stream may contain personal and private information that should be kept confidential. Ensure that no documents are being read during the audit, and that nothing leaves the auditing area. Have participants sign confidentiality agreements.

  3. Enlist building managers, custodial staff, and waste haulers

    The help of building managers, custodial staff, and waste haulers is invaluable to a successful waste audit. These sources can assist in gathering your organization’s waste and can also provide valuable insight into the current state of your recycling and waste management system.

  4. Don’t notify staff of the timing of the audit

    By keeping the timing of a waste audit secret, you ensure that the waste you analyze is a truly representative sample of the waste that your organization generates on a regular basis. If people are informed of the date of a waste audit, they may increase their recycling rates or otherwise alter their behavior.

  5. Collect waste

    Work with waste haulers, custodial staff, and concessions managers to collect the waste. Make sure that the waste collected is clearly labeled by date and location.

  6. Sort waste

    Sort the collected waste by type, noting paper, cardboard, recyclable and non-recyclable plastics, glass, and metals, food waste, batteries, etc. Make sure to note recyclable or compostable materials that have not been recycled or composted.

  7. Analyze results and make recommendations

    What is the composition of your organization’s waste stream? How much can your organization increase its recycling and composting? By what methods can your organization increase its recycling and composting? How can waste be collected more efficiently? What are the opportunities to reduce waste generation? How can your organization save money by altering its waste management systems?

WASTE AUDITS CAN SAVE MONEY

Recycling and composting can save money through avoided disposal and hauling costs. Many recyclable items can also be sold on the market as a source of revenue. A waste audit can help your organization identify these potential savings and revenue opportunities. Many companies have found significant savings through their efforts to increase recycling.

In three years the Cleveland Indianscut their annual waste in half by significantly expanding their recycling facilities to sort waste on-site. This reduced the number of trash compactor pickups–that cost the Indians an average of $500 each–by 64 percent from 254 pickups in 2007 to 92 in 2010, saving the Club $50,000 annually.

The Brooklyn Breweryin Brooklyn, NY implemented a variety of recycling and waste reduction measures, including recycling its own cardboard and plastic wastes. These measures reduced its annual waste generation by over 50%, saving the company over $25,000 a year in disposal and hauling costs.

The San Diego Wild Animal Parkgenerates over 23,000 tons of waste annually but discards only 4% of this waste in landfills. It has implemented a comprehensive composting program for organic waste and has distributed recycling containers throughout its 1,800 acres, in addition to many other programs. In total, these efforts save the organization over $1 million dollars in landfilling and hauling fees each year.

For more examples of how smart waste practices can save your organization money, see the following websites:

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

By conducting a waste audit, your venue can be better prepared to efficiently and responsibly dispose of the waste that it generates every day. By designing a more efficient waste disposal program, your venue can increase the amount of paper, plastic, and metals that it recycles, and organic waste that it composts, which reduces air and water pollution, helps curb global warming, and conserves our natural resources.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

REDUCE AND REUSE

The best way to cut down your waste stream is to reduce the amount of materials you need to discard. Cutting down on unnecessary packaging and paper use, reducing the amount of disposable products your theatre uses, and reusing materials can all reduce your waste generation.

For example, by reusing signs and banners, your venue can avoid unnecessary printing costs and the environmental impacts of printing. Consider designing banners so that they can be easily reused, by avoiding listing dates or years, or ensure that the portions listing dates can be readily and cheaply altered. Also consider producing signs from more durable materials, and ensure that these materials are ultimately recyclable. While they may cost more initially, they can save money in the long run. Try to avoid purchasing banners made from PVC (vinyl), which is associated with toxic emissions in production, use, and disposal.

Many single-use products used at your venue might also be switched to reusable products. For example, consider switching to reusable pallets and packaging, washable cleaning cloths/mops and dilution centers, dispensers for condiments instead of individual packages, and reusable water bottles and serviceware for theatre staff and organization offices, to name a few examples. Reusable products not only reduce waste, but can also save money.

Reducing paper use in theatre offices and during events can also considerably cut down on waste and purchasing costs. See the Paper Use Reduction section on this page below for more information.

Also consider reusable items when making purchases for concessions and merchandise. See the Apparel & Souvenirs and Reusable Bags and Cups sections for more information below.

REUSING MATERIALS SAVES MONEY

The Portland Trail Blazerscleaning staff shifted from disposable paper products to reusable cleaning cloths, cutting a half-ton of cleaning waste out of the waste stream, and saving approximately $10,000 a year in reduced paper purchases.

Ghirardelli Chocolate, with the assistance of StopWaste, switched from shipping products in disposable cardboard boxes to reusable totes. This switch eliminates 350 tons of waste associated with internal shipping annually, resulting in $520,000 in savings every year.

Calculate environmental benefits of paper use reduction

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Source reduction of waste is the most effective way to reduce your waste stream. By choosing products made with fewer materials or products that are reusable, your organization can help protect habitat, and save energy, water, and resources such as forests, fossil fuels, and metals.

By reducing one-time-use products made from paper, cardboard, metals, and plastics, you can help reduce the harmful impacts associated with the extraction and processing of these resources, including oil spills, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution.

For a comprehensive discussion of waste and use reduction, see EPA’s Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste .

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

BGA resources:

  • King Displays specializes in working closely with design and print professionals to produce unique visual and environmental displays.

RECYCLING

Recycling is the most widely practiced of all environmentally preferable activities, but care needs to be taken in order to design an effective and efficient program, especially in large venues.

Talk to your waste hauler about what materials they are able to collect and how to best collect and sort them to maximize recycling yields. Set up recycling programs in front of house, at concessions stands, and backstage, with ample signage and other reminders for cast, crew, audience members, concessions personnel, and other theatre staff. Make sure recycling bins are placed in office areas as well, where paper is often the dominant part of the waste stream.

Also consider joining the EPA’s free WasteWise program , which provides members with several benefits, including a technical assistance team that will help you conduct a waste audit, reduce waste, and implement a recycling program. In addition, it is helpful to engage concession operators when implementing your theatre’s recycling program.

For listings of recycling service providers, visit Earth 911 and the Environmental Yellow Pages .

Calculate the environmental benefits of recycling.

For a comprehensive discussion on waste recycling, reuse, and reduction, see EPA’s Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle pages .

RECYCLING CAN SAVE MONEY

Recycling and composting can save money through avoided disposal and hauling costs, although market conditions vary by material and by region. Many recyclable items can also be sold on the market as a source of revenue. A waste audit can help your organization identify these potential savings and revenue opportunities. Many companies have found significant savings through their own efforts to increase recycling. For example:

By introducing a comprehensive recycling program aimed at zero waste, the Seattle Marinersincreased the recycling rate at Safeco Fieldfrom 12% in 2005 to over 70% in 2010. Through increased recycling, the development of an aggressive composting program, and avoided landfilling, the Mariners saved $70,000 on waste disposal between 2007 and 2010. The Mariners have continued to improve these efforts, averaging an 82% recycling rate between 2010-2011.

Since 2007, the Cleveland Indianshave cut their annual waste in half by installing balers and separating recyclables onsite at Progressive Field. In 2007 the ballpark generated 1261.6 tons of trash; by 2010 this was down to 613.4 tons, a 49% reduction. The reduced number of trash compactor pickups combined with money from selling recycled materials paid for the stadium’s recycling equipment upgrades within six months, and now save the Club $50,000 annually.

Through an aggressive waste diversion program at the Moda Center, the Portland Trail Blazersdivert 80 percent of their waste from landfills. They accomplish this by maintaining extensive recycling stations for visitors and a food-waste composting program that includes vendor participation. These projects together have helped divert more than 800 tons from landfills each year. The Trail Blazers achieve an annual savings of over $200,000 in operating expenses by keeping recyclables out of the landfill.

For more examples of how smart waste practices can save your organization money, see the following websites:

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Recycling is one of the easiest and most widely accepted activities used to advance sustainability. Setting up a recycling program is relatively simple and a great way to involve staff at all levels in your theatre’s environmental priorities. Recycling protects habitat, saves energy, water, and resources such as forests, fossil fuels, and metals.

By recycling paper, cardboard, metals, and plastics, you can help reduce the harmful impacts associated with the extraction and processing of these resources, including oil spills, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution. Manufacturing products from recycled content is less polluting than producing the same products from newly harvested or extracted materials. Making paper from recycled fibers, for example, uses less energy, less water, and produces less air and water pollution.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

FOOD DONATION

Instead of throwing away unused food, consider donating it to a nearby food bank or homeless shelter. Contact your local food banks, or visit Feeding America for information about food banks near you. Also visit Rock and Wrap it Up for information about their food donation program, which works with sports and entertainment facilities to help feed the hungry in their community with venue food recovery.

ROCK AND WRAP IT UP: CASE STUDY

Since Rock and Wrap It Up's launch in 2003, 60 professional sports organizations from MLB, the NBA, the NHL, and the NFLhave participated in their food donation program. For example, all 30 teams in the National Hockey Leaguework with Rock and Wrap it Up to pack up all prepared but unsold concession food on game nights for redistribution to local places of need. Over the course of the initiative’s first full season, NHL Clubs provided 163,000 meals to people in need and diverted 105 tons of food from landfills and incinerators across North America. For this food diversion program, the EPA honored the Boston Bruins with the Environmental Merit Award, and four NHL clubs in New York area (Region 2) and four NHL clubs in the MidWest (Region 5) with the Environmental Quality Award.

BENEFITS OF DONATING LEFTOVER FOOD

Food wasting is a particularly unpleasant feature of American society. Every year we throw out about 27% of all the food available for consumption, about 100 billion pounds annually and all but about 2% winds up in landfills. When food is delivered to a landfill, it decomposes and contributes to the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. By donating food you reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills, thus helping to reduce these emissions.

Donating leftover food also reduces the need for additional food production, thereby reducing the environmental impacts associated with agriculture, including water pollution and habitat destruction. According to the Department of Agriculture, recovering just 5% of that food waste could feed four million people each day. Recovering 25% of it could feed 20 million people each day.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

COMPOSTING

Composting reduces the environmental impacts associated with waste disposal, and if done properly, it can even save your organization money through reduced waste, hauling, disposal, and fertilizer costs. There are many opportunities to reduce waste by initiating composting programs at a theatre ranging from collection of grass clippings and other landscaping wastes, to collecting kitchen scraps, audience food waste, and compostable serviceware.

Composting infrastructure varies widely by market. Consult with your waste hauler to learn more about the services it provides and the composting facilities available in your market. Also consider joining the EPA’s free WasteWise program , which provides members with several benefits, including a technical assistance team that will help your organization investigate composting.

For more information about composting in New York City, visit NYC Wasteless: Composting in NYC .

For listings of compost service providers near your city, visit Biocycle’s Find A Composter and Earth 911’s Business Resources directory . Also visit the EPA’s Compost website for more information on composting.

WHAT IS COMPOSTING?

Composting is the controlled breakdown of organic waste (generally landscaping waste and certain types of food) into a useful product that can be used as a mulch and fertilizer. It is easy and cost-effective, and since it can reduce the volume of your theatre’s waste stream and reduce your need to buy mulch and fertilizer, composting can even save money. You can consider whether it’s possible to set up a composting program on-site, or work with your waste hauler or other local haulers to collect organic waste for offsite composting.

COMPOSTING CASE STUDIES

By introducing a comprehensive waste diversion program aimed at zero waste, the Seattle Mariners have increased the diversion rate at Safeco Fieldfrom 12% in 2005, to over 70% in 2010. By switching to compostable serviceware and packaging, the Mariners were able to drastically improve their waste diversion through an aggressive composting program. As a result, the Mariners saved $72,000 on waste disposal between 2007 and 2010. The Mariners have continued to improve these efforts, averaging an 82% diversion rate between 2010-2011.

The 2011 U.S. Openlaunched a composting program at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centerthat diverted all food waste, kitchen wastes, and compostable serviceware and napkins from the food court to a compost farm in Connecticut. 52 tons of organic waste were kept out of the landfill, resulting in a 30% reduction in carting costs for the USTA.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Generating compost and using it in facility landscaping can save money by reducing the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Food, landscaping debris and wood waste make up a third of our everyday trash. When organic compounds decompose in a landfill, they generate methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting reduces the amount of waste directed to landfills by transforming organic waste into useful fertilizer, and it prevents the emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ELECTRONIC WASTE

When batteries, thermostats, computers, electronics, and other potentially hazardous electronic wastes are improperly disposed, they can pose significant risks to public health and the environment.

Choose an e-Stewards® certified electronic waste recycler to ensure that your electronic waste is being properly recycled. By choosing an e-Stewards Recycler, individuals and businesses are choosing the most trustworthy recyclers, ones that have been independently verified to handle e-waste in the most globally responsible way — using safe technologies and careful protections for workers.

Check with the e-Stewards Recyclers in your area about recycling your e-waste. For a list of e-Stewards Recyclers and more about e-Stewards Certification, see www.e-stewards.org .

e-Stewards Certification is the only marketplace solution supported by the environmental community and the most responsible electronics recycling companies. It was created to be both principled and practical, and it joins other best-practice certification programs such as those by the Marine Stewardship Council and Forest Stewardship Council , as the most protective standard and the most rigorous program for verifying recyclers are doing things right.

COLLECTING ELECTRONIC WASTE AT YOUR THEATRE

Set up collection spaces at your theatre for frequently disposed of items like light bulbs and batteries, and work with Green Captains from shows to ensure these items are recycled. Consider partnering with a local e-Stewards electronic waste recycler to recycle larger electronic items. The BGA also hosts biannual e-waste collection events in Times Square where an e-Stewards recycler collects items and recycles them responsibly. If your venue is unable to hire an e-Stewards recycler to take your e-waste, consider storing larger items at your venue and recycling them at the BGA’s e-waste drives.

Giving away or selling used electronics are great ways to extend their use and keep them out of landfills. Some services provide second-hand computers to schools or nonprofits, so your functional old computer could become a valuable tool for someone in need. Please assure that an e-Stewards certified recycler is used by whomever you donate your used electronics to.

No matter where you take your e-waste—to collection events, recyclers, or take-back programs—you should be sure that 100% of the electronic equipment will go only to e-Stewards Recyclers. It’s the best way to protect the global ecosystem and human health when it comes to electronics recycling.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Batteries and electronic waste (e-waste) constitute one of the most polluting portions of an office waste stream. Batteries and e-waste – such as computer monitors, printers, and cell phones – contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. When thrown into the trash, they end up in landfills or incinerators, and these toxic heavy metals can be emitted as air pollutants or drain into soils and waters, polluting lakes and streams and making them unfit for drinking, swimming, fishing, and wildlife. The key to responsible e-waste recycling is knowing where your stuff will end up. Watch out for any recycler who ships discarded electronics to developing countries for processing. Avoiding sending our garbage overseas saves on greenhouse gas emissions and helps protect workers and the environment in developing countries. According to the Basel Action Network, upwards of 80 percent of the world’s e-waste is transported to Asia, and most of it winds up in China. Workers who disassemble consumer electronics by hand are exposed to toxic substances, which also contaminate groundwater.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

HAZARDOUS WASTE

When hazardous wastes such as paints, solvents, used oil, cleaners, pesticides, and other chemicals are improperly disposed, they can pose significant risks to public health and the environment. When they are thrown away in the trash, they end up in landfills, and these toxic compounds can leach into soil and water, polluting lakes and streams and making them unfit for drinking, swimming, fishing, and supporting wildlife.

Your waste hauler may be a valuable source of information on how to properly dispose of hazardous wastes in your area. Many states have also organized online “materials exchanges” that identify options for selling and donating products.

For listings of recycling service providers and firms that can safely manage potentially hazardous wastes, visit Earth 911’s Business Resources Directory .

Also consider joining the EPA’s free WasteWise program , which provides members with several benefits, including a technical assistance team that can help you conduct a waste audit and reduce waste.

In addition to making sure these wastes are disposed of correctly, where possible, you should purchase less toxic and reusable products to reduce the amount of potentially hazardous wastes needing disposal. See the Purchasing section for more product purchasing tips.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Paper

PAPER USE REDUCTION

Rethinking the way your theatre organization buys and uses paper helps trim the bottom line and can generate positive publicity. Follow the tips below to reduce your theatre’s office paper use, and visit NRDC’s Paper Project for more detailed information and tools to help reduce office paper use.

Also, consider joining the EPA’s free WasteWise program, which provides members with several benefits, including a technical assistance team that will help your organization conduct a waste audit and reduce waste.

For a useful discussion of waste reduction, see the EPA’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle webpages.

Calculate environmental benefits of recycled paper.

REDUCING PAPER USE SAVES MONEY

A typical office disposes of about 350 pounds of wastepaper per employee per year. Identifying ways to reduce paper use can save money.

In 2005, the EPA Region 10 offices(in the Northwest U.S.) made a concerted effort to reduce paper use. Through a variety of initiatives including default double-sided printing and collection of scrap paper for reuse, the office reduced paper consumption by 30%, yielding an annual savings of $49,000.

Between 2000 and 2004, Bank of Americareduced its paper consumption dramatically through an institution-wide campaign of online reports and forms, email, double-sided copying and lighter-weight papers. By reducing the basis weight of its ATM receipts from 20 pounds to 15 pounds, Bank of America saved more than just paper; this simple move also gained the bank additional savings in transportation, storage and handling costs, to the tune of $500,000 a year. Paper used for internal operations decreased 32%, saving more than a billion sheets of paper. A cost cut of $20,000 was made on a single report, by sending out postcards notifying clients that it was available online. By making forms available online instead of sending out hard copies, the company saved an estimated $10 million, not including the savings in postage and storage.

PAPER USE REDUCTION TIPS

  • Communications
    • Subject to your organization’s email policies, use e-mail instead of paper memos or faxes whenever practical to distribute agendas, newsletters, audition information and meeting materials online.
    • Don’t print e-mails. Put the words “save a tree, don’t print me” at the bottom of all emails.
    • Print less: keep mailing lists current, and don’t overprint copies or outside print jobs.
    • Reuse what you can. Stock your fax machine with paper already printed on one side; reuse oversize envelopes and boxes; use one-sided “draft” paper in your printers.
  • Ticketing
    • Use a lighter ticket stock and purchase materials made from recycled content.
    • Use electronic ticketing where feasible. Consider using a paperless online ticketing system and electronic ticketing on smart phones to reduce paper purchasing and waste from ticketing.
  • Printers and Copiers
    • As printers and copiers need to be replaced, purchase units that can print on both sides of a sheet of paper. Then set all computers and copiers to a default setting for double-sided printing.
    • Save and collect 8.5 x 11 inch paper that’s been printed on one side, restack it neatly, designate a paper drawer on each printer (or as many printers as practical), and use it to print drafts.
    • Adjust the house style on word processing programs to use a slightly smaller font and slightly wider margins; use the electronic “edit” and “comment” features to work on drafts instead of printing.
  • Incoming Mail
    • Cut down on the number of periodical subscriptions you buy. Survey to see who subscribes to what, then work out a sharing system.
    • Reduce the amount of unwanted mail your organization receives by unsubscribing or requesting to be removed from generic mailing lists.
  • Bathrooms
    • Use coreless toilet paper rolls (and purchase recycled content bathroom tissue).
    • Use paper towel dispensers that release single sheets instead of continuous supply, or high-efficiency hand dryers.
  • Office Kitchens
    • Stock the kitchen with real mugs, plates, bowls and utensils to discourage the use of paper and plastic disposables. Consider cloth napkins or use paper towels with high post-consumer recycled content.
    • Encourage employees who carry in lunches to use reusable bags and napkins. Consider providing theatre-branded bags for staff to use.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

PAPER PURCHASING

Contact your venue’s paper suppliers and ask about environmentally preferable alternatives to the paper products that you are currently buying, including paper used in offices, print collateral, ticketing, bathroom tissue, and concessions. The specifications below provide a useful guide when speaking to suppliers.

In addition to the specifications below, consult NRDC’s Shopper’s Guide to Home Tissue Products for a complete listing of preferable household tissue products. Conservatree’s Environmental Paper Listings also contains several preferable options for a range of different paper types. Also consult the EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Database, which contains product specifications and contract language for a wide variety of additional products.

Calculate environmental benefits of recycled paper.

PAPER PRODUCTS SPECIFICATIONS

  • Highest feasible percentage of post-consumer recycled content
  • Chlorine-free bleaching process
  • Wood fiber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
  • Mercury-free pulping process

For more detailed paper procurement specifications, see this sample procurement policy.

SAMPLE LETTER TO SUPPLIERS

Dear ___,

In an effort to improve the environmental performance of our organization, we would like to meet to discuss the environmental attributes of the paper products that you are currently supplying. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to more environmentally preferable products within the next few years.

We are aware that the worldwide demand for paper products creates incentives for harvesting and manufacturing practices that are harmful to the environment. We would like to improve, as much as possible, the environmental performance of our paper consumption. We are particularly interested in improving the following attributes of the paper we buy:

  • Post-consumer recycled content
  • Forest Stewardship Council certification
  • Chlorine-free bleaching processes
  • Mercury-free pulping process

We look forward to speaking with you about this. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

BENEFITS OF PURCHASING ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PAPER

The manufacture of virgin paper contributes to global warming, water pollution and is linked with the loss of forests and hazardous air pollution. By purchasing paper products made with recycled fiber, chlorine-free bleaching, and Forest Stewardship Council-certified tree fiber, you help to reduce these impacts. Paper made with recycled content produces significantly less air and water pollution, disrupts less habitat, and uses less energy than paper made from virgin fibers.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CONCESSIONS

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Selling local, organic, and environmentally preferable food and merchandise options at your venue can have significant benefits to the health of your audience and the environment. Consider consulting with your theatre’s current suppliers and vendors to determine the availability of more ecologically preferable ingredients and materials.

You may also want to consider including environmentally preferable food specifications in future contracts and requests for proposal with concession vendors, delivery services, or other food suppliers.

ENVIRONMENTALLY INTELLIGENT FOOD SPECIFICATIONS:

  • U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) “Organic” products
  • Seafood products certified by the Marine Stewardship Council
  • Zero trans fat
  • Non-genetically modified organisms
  • Vegetarian options
  • Free range and/or pasture-fed meat and poultry
  • Meat, poultry, and dairy products raised and processed without hormones and antibiotics
  • Fair trade, shade-grown coffee
  • Wine bottles sealed with natural cork instead of more polluting closures like plastic stoppers or metal screw-caps
  • Locally grown food
  • Minimal packaging
  • Products delivered in minimal, reusable, recyclable, or bio-based/compostable packaging

To locate nearby markets and other local food sources, search the Local Food Guide Database . The Organic Consumers Association’s business directory is another source of information about where to buy local and organic food.

NATURAL CORK STOPPERS

Wine stoppers made from natural cork are renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable. Cork is harvested from oak trees in a traditional, environmentally sustainable process where only a layer of bark is removed and the tree remains intact and undamaged. Cork oak forests are concentrated in the Mediterranean Basin biological hotspot that support 25,000 species of birds, plants, and wildcats, and cork production provides thousands of stable jobs for local communities.

Many cork producers have acquired or are in the process of acquiring Forest Stewardship Council certification, which further ensures that the cork has been harvested legally and sustainably. Artificial stoppers or screw tops cause more global warming pollution during their manufacture, are made from non-renewable materials (including fossil fuel-derived plastics and aluminum) using at least five times more energy per ton to produce, and millions of artificial stoppers end up in our landfills and oceans.

Sample Letter To Suppliers And Food And Beverage Concessionaires:

Dear ___,

[Our Organization] has initiated a policy to improve our environmental performance in all aspects of our operations. We would like to meet with you to discuss buying ecologically superior food products in more detail. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to less packaging, recyclable or reusable packaging within the next few years.

We would like to reduce as much as possible the harmful effects on the environment and public health that are associated with our operations, and we would like to speak with you about healthier and environmentally preferable alternatives to the food products and food packaging that we are currently using.

Please call me at your earliest convenience so that we can organize a meeting to pursue this discussion.

Sample Contract Language:

[Our theatre] has adopted an environmental policy to improve its environmental performance. To further these goals, food-related products and services contracted for by the theatre will be evaluated in part on their health and environmental attributes. Specific factors to be considered include:

  • U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) “Organic” products
  • Seafood products certified by the Marine Stewardship Council
  • Food with Zero trans fat
  • Non-genetically modified organisms
  • Vegetarian options
  • Free range and/or pasture-fed meat and poultry
  • Meat, poultry, and dairy products raised and processed without hormones and antibiotics
  • Fair trade, shade-grown coffee
  • Wine bottles sealed with natural cork instead of more polluting closures like plastic stoppers or metal screw-caps
  • Locally grown food
  • Minimal packaging
  • Products delivered in minimal, reusable, recyclable, or bio-based/compostable packaging

Please address these concerns when submitting your proposals.

ENVIRONEMTENTAL BENEFITS

The food we eat has diverse impacts on human health and the environment. Agriculture is one of the leading sources of water pollution in the world, causing pesticides, sediment, and fertilizer to run into rivers and streams, and the transportation of food contributes to global warming and other forms of air pollution. Food packaging uses considerable amounts of paper and plastic, and discarded food fills up landfills and contributes to the release of methane gas into the atmosphere.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

SERVICEWARE AND PAPER PRODUCTS

At many venues around the country, beverages at concession stands are served in non-recyclable cups. Consider purchasing reusable containers that theatregoers can have refilled and take home as souvenirs.

If reusable items are not an option, choose disposable items that are recyclable and ideally made from recycled content, or alternatives to fossil fuel-derived products such as bio-based compostable options (ideally certified by a third party, such as the Biodegradable Products Institute, to ASTM compostable product standards and made from waste-based materials).

A recycling or composting program can save money while also improving your venue’s environmental performance. See the Recycling and Composting sections on this page above for more information about setting up these programs.

Consider asking your venue’s current vendors and suppliers about compostable and recyclable serviceware options. You may also want to consider joining the EPA’s free WasteWise program , which provides members with several benefits, including a technical assistance team that will help your organization conduct a waste audit and reduce waste.

Installing and maintaining drinking water fountains both front of house and backstage can also help reduce the adverse impacts related to the production of plastic bottles, including global warming pollution, other hazardous air emissions, biodiversity loss, water pollution and solid waste impacts.

CONCESSIONS PAPER PRODUCTS

When purchasing napkins, paper towels and other paper products for concessions, choose products that contain recycled content. Environmentally preferable paper products can often be purchased at little or no increase in cost. Consider the following attributes when making paper purchases:

  • Highest feasible percentage of post-consumer recycled content
  • Chlorine-free bleaching process
  • Wood fiber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
  • Mercury-free pulping caustic

BIO-BASED AND COMPOSTABLE SERVICEWARE

Choosing bio-based/compostable products can be tricky. Look out for the following characteristics:

  • Avoid bioplastic “blends” that include fossil fuel-derived plastics and claim to be biodegradable without further information. Be sure that any product labeled as “bio-based,” “biodegradable,” or “made from renewable materials” is in fact made entirely from bio-based materials (plants or plant residues). Avoid products labeled only “biodegradable,” which is not an environmental benefit for packaging. Look for compostable products certified by a third party to ASTM compostable product standards, and a product description that says “bio-based” and tells what the product is made from.
  • Favor waste-based bioplastic options made from agricultural residues (such as bagasse, which is the residue from sugar cane production, or straw), which are crop residues left over after harvest from an existing agricultural land use and which would otherwise be treated as waste. Corn-based bioplastics like PLA are among the most widely available bioplastics — while these represent a positive first step in the growing market toward finding alternatives to nonrenewable, fossil-fuel-derived plastic, the production of these plastics (and other plastics derived from crops grown intentionally to make bioplastic rather than made from crop residues) raises concerns about agricultural impacts on land use, food production and global warming. These impacts are all significantly reduced by specifying products made from waste-based materials.
  • Consider working with your hauler to ensure that any compostable products you purchase are able to be composted in your local composting facility, as processes vary and some products pose challenges in particular facilities.

Compostable Serviceware Case Studies

In 2005, the McAfee Stadium in the Oakland Coliseum Complex became the first stadium to offer drinks in compostable bioplastic cups. This move keeps hundreds of thousands of cups from going to landfills and prevents the purchase of over three tons of petroleum-based plastic cups each year.

By introducing a comprehensive waste diversion program aimed at zero waste, the Seattle Mariners have increased the diversion rate at Safeco Field from 12% in 2005, to over 70% in 2010. By switching to compostable serviceware and packaging, the Mariners were able to improve their waste diversion through an aggressive composting program. As a result, the Mariners saved $72,000 on waste disposal between 2007 and 2010. The Mariners have continued to improve these efforts, averaging an 82% diversion rate between 2010-2011.

The 2011 U.S. Open launched a composting program at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center that diverted all food waste, kitchen wastes, and compostable serviceware and napkins from the food court to a compost farm in Connecticut. 52 tons of organic waste were kept out of the landfill, resulting in a 30% reduction in carting costs for the USTA.

SAMPLE LETTER TO CURRENT SUPPLIERS

Dear ___,

[Our theatre] has initiated an effort to improve our environmental performance in all aspects of our operations. Because you are one of our food suppliers, we would like to meet with you to discuss these objectives in more detail. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to more environmentally responsible products within the next few years.

Our choice of serviceware can have a significant effect on the environment. Much of food serviceware is made from non-renewable fossil fuel-derived plastic whose production process involves several toxic compounds. In addition, many disposable items are not designed with recycling and disposal in mind.

We would like to reduce as much as possible the harmful effects associated with our operations, and we would like to speak with you to ensure that the products we are purchasing do not contribute to these problems.

Please call me at your earliest convenience so that we can organize a meeting to pursue this discussion.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

The production and disposal of single-use serviceware contributes to a number of environmental impacts. Most plastic is produced from fossil fuel-derived products, which increases our consumption of non-renewable resources. Fossil fuel drilling and exploration can contribute to oil spills and habitat destruction.

The paper industry is responsible for the harvesting of countless acres of forest habitat every year and is one of the world’s largest industrial sources of water pollution. By purchasing reusable, recycled content, recyclable or bio-based/compostable cups or bottles, and by recycling or composting these products at the end of their use, your organization can help reduce these impacts.

When selecting disposable serviceware products, compostable/bioplastic products might not be the best choice if composting services are not available in your area and this serviceware will end up in a landfill. When compostable items decompose in a landfill, they generate methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. If composting is not available in your area, consider recycled-content paper-based products or recycled-content plastic products that can be recycled.

If your venue does choose compostable/bioplastic serviceware, favor products certified by a third party as meeting ASTM standards for compostability, and waste-based bioplastics made from agricultural residues like bagasse or straw instead of corn-based plastics or blends that contain petroleum materials.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

APPAREL AND SOUVENIRS

Theatres and venues can sell a variety of products such as apparel, souvenirs, and other merchandise. Take the following attributes into consideration when contracting for the production and distribution of this merchandise:

  • Products that contain the highest percentage of postconsumer recycled content feasible
  • Products with minimal packaging
  • Products that are reusable, recyclable, and/or compostable
  • Products with sustainably harvested wood (Forest Stewardship Council Certified)
  • Products made with USDA-certified organic materials
  • Products that do not contain PVC or phthalates
  • Products that do not emit high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Products with no ozone depleting compounds
  • Products that are made using renewable energy
  • Suppliers that provide environmentally preferable products and can document the supply-chain impacts of their efforts

REUSABLE BAGS AND CUPS

Many venues sell or give out reusable bags and/or cups at shows or events in lieu of disposable ones. Consider providing the option of a reusable bag or cup when attendees make purchases at concessions or merchandise areas. When choosing these products, consider the following attributes:

  • Products containing highest feasible recycled content (especially postconsumer recycled content)
  • Products containing materials that are organically grown and/or made from agricultural residues (byproducts of crops otherwise disposed as waste)
  • Products that are recyclable (or compostable, if that’s an option through your hauler) at end of life
  • Products that do not contain PVC (vinyl) which is associated with toxic emissions in production, use, and disposal
  • Products with minimal packaging

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

The production and disposal of single-use plastic cups and bags contributes to a number of environmental impacts. Most plastic is produced from fossil fuel-derived products, which increases our consumption of nonrenewable sources. Fossil fuel drilling and exploration contributes to global warming pollution, oil spills and habitat destruction. By purchasing recycled-content and recyclable or compostable bags, cups or bottles, and by recycling or composting these products at the end of their use, your venue can help reduce these impacts.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Purchasing

PURCHASING POLICY

Purchasing policies can be as prescriptive (or aspirational) as your organization chooses. In some cases, environmentally preferable products can be purchased at little or no increase in cost. And in those cases where the price of environmentally superior products exceeds those currently used, the increased cost can sometimes be mitigated by more efficient operations. Recycled paper, for example, sometimes costs more than virgin paper. However, this cost can usually be offset by double-sided printing and other reductions in paper use.

A company-wide purchasing policy encourages sustainable purchasing practices at all levels of the organization and helps ensure that green efforts are not diminished with employee turnover. Purchasing policies should be comprehensive and cover a wide range of products and services.

Many companies have instituted purchasing policies that give preference to environmentally intelligent products in an effort to enhance their ecological performance. Consider implementing your own environmentally preferable purchasing policy based on the sample policy below.

Sample Purchasing Policy

The goal of this policy is to ensure that products and services purchased by or contracted for [our organization/theatre] conform to [the organization’s/theatre’s] Environmental Policy. [Our organization/theatre] will strive, where feasible, to purchase environmentally preferable products and services that meet the organization’s needs.

Where possible, purchasing decisions shall favor:

  • Products that contain the highest percentage of postconsumer recycled content possible
  • Products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or are made with renewable energy
  • Products that are reusable, recyclable or bio-based/compostable Products that eliminate or reduce the use of chemicals hazardous to the environment and public health
  • Products that reduce air and water pollution
  • Products with minimal packaging
  • Suppliers that provide environmentally preferable products and can document the supply-chain impacts of their efforts
  • Products that serve several functions (e.g. multipurpose cleaner) and reduce the overall number of products purchased

Environmentally preferable products and services that are of comparable quality and price to their standard counterparts shall receive purchasing preference. In situations where environmentally preferable products are unavailable or impractical, secondary considerations shall include the environmental management practices of suppliers and producers.

The purchase of environmentally preferable products is part of the organization’s long-term commitment to audience members, cast and crew, theatre staff, and the environment. By sending a clear signal to producers and suppliers, [our organization/theatre] hopes to support wider adoption of environmentally preferable products and practices.

Policies can vary widely, and you should implement a policy that works best for your organization.

CORPORATE PURCHASING POLICY EXAMPLES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

PAPER PURCHASING

Environmentally preferable paper products can often be purchased at little or no increase in cost. In addition, paper use can often be decreased by taking a few simple steps, such as double-siding copies and reducing the number of printers in use. These measures can reduce your organization’s overall paper budget. See the Paper section above for more information on purchasing, using, and recycling paper.

Contact your venue’s paper suppliers and ask about environmentally preferable alternatives to the paper products that you are currently buying, including paper used in offices, print collateral, bathroom tissue, and concessions. The specifications below provide a useful guide when speaking to suppliers.

In addition to the specifications below, consult NRDC’s Shopper’s Guide to Home Tissue Products for a complete listing of preferable household tissue products. Conservatree’s Environmental Paper Listings also contains several preferable options for a range of different paper types. Also consult the EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Database , which contains product specifications and contract language for a wide variety of additional products.

Calculate environmental benefits of recycled paper.

PAPER PRODUCTS SPECIFICATIONS

  • Highest feasible percentage of post-consumer recycled content
  • Chlorine-free bleaching process
  • Wood fiber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
  • Mercury-free pulping process

For more detailed paper procurement specifications, see this sample procurement policy.

Sample Letter To Current Suppliers

Dear ___,

In an effort to improve the environmental performance of our theatre, we would like to meet to discuss the environmental attributes of the paper products that you are currently supplying. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to more environmentally preferable products within the next few years.

We are aware that the worldwide demand for paper products creates incentives for harvesting and manufacturing practices that are harmful to the environment. We would like to improve, as much as possible, the environmental performance of our paper consumption. We are particularly interested in improving the following attributes of the paper we buy:

  • Post-consumer recycled content
  • Forest Stewardship Council certification
  • Chlorine-free bleaching processes
  • Mercury-free pulping process

We look forward to speaking with you about this. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

BENEFITS OF PURCHASING ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PAPER

The manufacture of virgin paper contributes to global warming, water pollution and is linked with the loss of forests and hazardous air pollution. By purchasing paper products made with recycled fiber, chlorine-free bleaching, and Forest Stewardship Council-certified tree fiber, you help to reduce these impacts. Paper made with recycled content produces significantly less air and water pollution, disrupts less habitat, and uses less energy than paper made from virgin fibers.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CLEANING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Many common cleaning and maintenance products contain chemicals that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment. Consider consulting with your venue’s suppliers about less toxic alternatives to the cleaning products you currently buy. You may also wish to incorporate specifications for less toxic products in contracts and requests for proposals. Also consider reusable cleaning cloths and dilution centers, which cut down on waste and save money. The sample letter and contract specifications below should serve as a useful guide. For listings of green cleaning contractors, visit Green America’s National Green Pages .

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Cleaning and maintenance products can contain a wide variety of compounds that can adversely impact the health of employees and facility occupants. Use the following resources to find out which cleaning products are right for your venue.

Green Seal Products and Services

Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia

Department of the Interior Request for Proposals for Janitorial Products

VENDORS

For listings of preferable cleaning products, visit the Green Seal database . The EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Database , which contains product specifications and contract language for a wide variety of additional products, is another useful resource.

Sample Letter to Current Suppliers

Dear ___,

[Our theatre] has initiated an effort to improve our environmental performance in all aspects of our operations. We would like to meet with you to discuss these objectives in more detail. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to less toxic and harmful products within the next few years.

We would like to reduce as much as possible the harmful effects on the environment and public health that are associated with our operations, and we would like to speak with you about less harmful alternatives to the products that we are currently using.

Please call me at your earliest convenience so that we can we can organize a meeting to pursue this discussion.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Purchasing less toxic products helps protect public health and the environment. Almost all commonly used cleaning and maintenance products contain hazardous chemicals that can cause serious health effects, including respiratory ailments, skin irritation, neurological disorders, and even cancer. In addition to the human effects, many of these products – or their byproducts – can harm aquatic life and other species.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

DE-ICING PRODUCTS

Many de-icers contain toxic ingredients like glycol or corrosive salts that are not only harmful to the environment, but threaten the health of pets and children. When de-icing sidewalks, avoid sodium chloride (“ice-salt”) or carbonyl diamide (urea), which are corrosive, and can damage vegetation, irritate skin and be toxic to pets and children.

The best way to avoid toxic de-icers is to use other materials to create traction. A good choice is gravel, which is inexpensive, non-toxic, and easy to spread. Sand is another option, though it should be cleaned up once ice has melted to prevent the sand running off into waterways and causing sedimentation.

If you do need to purchase a de-icing product, look for non-toxic, non-corrosive, and biodegradable de-icers. Choose the least toxic option available for your needs, and apply as little as possible. Products containing calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) or potassium acetate (KA)are less toxic alternatives to sodium chloride and other chloride salts.

Shoveling snow before it accumulates will also help make de-icers more effective, reducing the amount of de-icer needed.

Greener De-icing Products

PESTICIDES AND FERTILIZERS

Pesticides and fertilizers can cause a variety of harmful impacts on public health and the environment. Consider consulting with your venue’s suppliers to determine if there are less toxic alternatives to the products that you are currently using.

Reducing your venue’s use of pesticides and fertilizers can also save money. Consider adopting the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) outlined below, to prevent infestations before they start.

REDUCING PESTICIDES AND FERTILIZERS CAN SAVE MONEY

It is possible to have healthy, great-looking plants and grass while minimizing the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Minimizing the use of these chemicals means that your venue doesn’t need to purchase them as often, saving your time and money.

Many schools across the country have adopted integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to reduce child exposure to harmful pesticides. In Montgomery County, Maryland, for example, the school district reduced the number of pesticide applications from 5,000 in 1985 to zero in 1989 using IPM techniques. This reduction yielded an annual savings of $1800 per school. Monroe County schools in Indiana reduced their pest management costs by over $13,000 per year through IPM. Case Studies

Pesticides

Consider asking your current pest control suppliers to become certified under the Green Shield Certified Program , which certifies environmentally preferable pest control companies. For more information on Green Shield, contact ipmworks@ipminstitute.org.

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest management that incorporates aspects of a facility’s operation to help reduce the need for pesticides. IPM means preventing infestations before they start, and using pesticides only when necessary. There are various approaches that your venue can adopt to decrease its reliance on chemical-based pest control. Consider the steps below, and consult the additional resources at the end of this section for more information.

  • Use native plants, trees, and grasses
  • Fill cracks in walls and pavement
  • Keep vegetation at least 1 foot away from structures
  • Clean food-contaminated dishes right away
  • Clean garbage cans often
  • Keep compost bins properly maintained

Consult the resources below for more information on IPM. Though many of the guides below are aimed at schools, the principles can be applied to other buildings and businesses.

Pesticide Product Specifications

There is a wide range of pesticide chemicals, and most of them are potentially harmful to public health and the environment. The best strategy is to reduce the amount of pesticides your organization uses. Still, there are some pesticides that are less harmful than others. Consider avoiding pesticides that are classified as carcinogens, reproductive or developmental toxins, endocrine disruptors, or neurotoxins.

EPA categorizes pesticide products by toxicity on a scale of I – IV, with the lowest numerals indicating the most toxic products. Consider buying products that are categorized as III or IV, and avoid those that are categorized as I or II. Categories III and IV are labeled with the word “Caution”, while Category II products carry the label “Warning”, and Category I products are labeled “Danger”.

Sample Letter To Current Suppliers

Dear ___,

[Our theatre] has initiated an effort to improve our environmental performance in all aspects of our operations. We would like to meet with you to discuss these objectives in more detail. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to less-toxic products within the next few years.

We would like to reduce as much as possible the harmful effects on the environment and public health that are associated with our operations, and we would like to speak with you to ensure that the products we are purchasing do not contribute to these problems. In particular, we would like to talk with you about Green Shield certification, a program that certifies environmentally preferable pest control companies.

Please call me at your earliest convenience so that we can organize a meeting to pursue this discussion.

FERTILIZERS

Consider consulting with your venue’s current suppliers to determine if there are less harmful alternatives to the fertilizer products that you are currently using.

Minimizing the use of fertilizers is also important and can save your venue money. Review the tips and resources below to learn more about reducing your venue’s use of fertilizer.

Fertilizer Use Reduction Tips

  • Plant native vegetation species
  • Use compost instead of chemical fertilizers
  • Plant low-maintenance vegetation
  • Do not use more fertilizer than is recommended on the label
  • Consult with your suppliers and groundskeepers concerning grass mixtures and plants that will thrive in your area with minimal fertilizer

Sample Letter To Current Suppliers

Dear ___,

[Our theatre] has initiated an effort to improve our environmental performance in all aspects of our operations. We would like to meet with you to discuss these objectives in more detail. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to less harmful products as soon as possible.

We would like to reduce as much as possible the harmful effects on the environment and public health that are associated with our operations, and we would like to speak with you to ensure that the products we are purchasing do not contribute to these problems.

Please call me at your earliest convenience so that we can organize a meeting to pursue this discussion.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Pesticides and fertilizers can harm public health and the environment. Many pesticides contain potentially toxic chemicals that can cause negative health effects such as cancer and neurological and reproductive disorders. In addition, pesticides can migrate into lakes and streams as they are swept away when it rains. Fertilizers contain phosphorous and nitrogen compounds, important nutrients that aid plant growth. Unfortunately, too much of these compounds is a bad thing, especially in aquatic environments. When aquatic environments are loaded with nitrogen and phosphorous, algae in the water grows at a rapid pace. When this algae decomposes, it causes a significant drop in oxygen concentrations, killing fish and other aquatic organisms. This process is called eutrophication. By reducing your venue’s use of pesticides and fertilizers, and by buying less toxic products, you help to reduce these risks.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS

Performance spaces can consume large amounts of energy from heating and cooling, ventilation, electronics, lighting, and other appliances. By increasing the efficiency of these energy consumers, your theatre can save money while simultaneously improving environmental performance.

Visit the federal government’s Energy Star products database for listings of the most energy-efficient products on the market, for a wide range of product categories. Also consider including Energy Star and energy efficiency specifications in contracts and requests for proposal. Contract language examples and additional product specifications can be found at the EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Database.

The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) can also help you specify cost-competitive, high-performance, and environmentally preferable computer desktops, laptops, and monitors.

For a list of energy efficiency incentives and rebates in your state, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency .

Calculate savings from energy-efficient products .

  • When buying an appliance, always try to buy one that is certified by EPA’s Energy Star program .
  • If Energy Star does not rate the particular appliance, purchase the most efficient model feasible.
  • Look for other energy saving features such as programmability and power-save functions.
  • Many products continue to use energy, even when they’re turned off. Look for products that use as little energy as possible while in “off” mode.
  • Plug appliances into a power strip instead of directly into the wall socket, so that you can easily turn off all energy demand from multiple appliances at once when they are not in use.

Sample Letter To Current Suppliers

Dear ___,

[Our theatre] has initiated an effort to improve our environmental performance in all aspects of our operations. We would like to meet with you to discuss these objectives in more detail. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to more efficient products within the next few years.

Energy use is one of the principal contributors to air pollution and global warming. By reducing our consumption of energy, we can reduce these impacts and save money at the same time. We would like to reduce as much as possible the harmful effects associated with our operations, and we would like to speak with you about more efficient alternatives to the energy consuming products that we are currently using.

Please call me at your earliest convenience so that we can organize a meeting time to discuss this further.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Energy use is one of the largest environmental impacts in any facility, and also one of the greatest costs. Most energy consumed in the United States comes from coal and other fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to global warming, smog, soot, and numerous negative health conditions. In addition, coal mining – especially surface mining and mountaintop removal – is devastating many of the world’s most biologically important habitats and ecosystems.

Reducing energy use can have a positive impact on all of these factors and will also have a beneficial impact on the bottom line, and one of the best ways to reduce office energy use is to buy products that use less energy. EPA’s Energy Star program rates electronic products on energy use and grants their seal to those products that meet their standards.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

LAUNDRY

Many common laundry care products release potentially harmful substances into our air and water, and some washers and dryers are inefficient, wasting water and energy. Use the product specifications, sample letter, and other resources below to ask your venue’s suppliers about the products that you are currently using. Find out about available environmentally preferable alternatives, and consider including guidelines to encourage the purchase of environmentally preferable products in contracts and requests for proposal.

GREENER LAUNDRY CARE TIPS

  • When replacing washing machines, consider purchasing front-loading Energy Star rated laundry appliances . If purchasing a new dryer, look for products that feature with a moisture sensor, which shuts off the machine when clothes are dry. Calculate savings from energy-efficient products .
  • Encourage Wardrobe departments and venue staff to wash clothes in cold water – water heating accounts for 90% of the energy used by a typical washing machine. Even switching from hot to warm water can cut energy use in half. If you switch to cold wash, use cold-water detergents.
  • Use high spin speed or extended spin settings on washers where possible to decrease dry times.
  • Clean lint filters after each dryer load to maintain proper airflow and dryer efficiency, and scrub filters monthly.
  • Wash and dry full loads, or use appropriate water level setting when washing smaller loads.

LAUNDRY DETERGENT PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

When purchasing laundry detergents, look for products with the following attributes:

Detergent product specifications

  • Low phosphate content (1% or less)
  • Low toxicity to people and aquatic organisms
  • Biodegrades into low-toxicity compounds
  • Contains little or no chlorine bleach
  • Concentrated products with less packaging

Sample Letter to Current Suppliers

Dear ___,

[Our theatre] has initiated an effort to improve our environmental performance in all aspects of our operations. We would like to meet with you to discuss these objectives in more detail. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to less toxic and harmful laundry care products as soon as possible.

We are concerned about products used in the laundry room that contain compounds that are harmful to both public health and the environment. These include detergents containing phosphorous and types of bleach that also produce harmful byproducts. We would like to reduce as much as possible the harmful effects associated with our operations, and we would like to speak with you about less toxic alternatives to the products that we are currently using in our laundry.

Please call me at your earliest convenience so that we can organize a meeting to pursue this discussion.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Detergents and other laundry care products often contain toxic or otherwise harmful compounds that can find their way into the natural environment, causing damage to aquatic ecosystems. Many detergents, for example, contain a large amount of phosphate, which can cause oxygen depletion in aquatic systems. Oxygen depletion causes excessive algae growth, loss of habitat, and when oxygen levels are too low fish and other animals cannot survive. By reducing the concentrations of phosphates and other harmful compounds in your laundry care products, your theatre can help reduce these impacts.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

INTERIORS AND DÉCOR

Décor items such as furniture, carpet, plants, and paint can have a range of environmental and health impacts based on their production, transportation, use, and disposal. By purchasing products produced locally and in a more sustainable manner, your venue can reduce its contribution to global warming, water pollution, habitat destruction, and many other negative impacts. When designing interiors or décor items, give preference to products that can be reused, contain recycled or bio-based content, are non-toxic, and are locally grown.

When purchasing set pieces, furniture, floor coverings, and construction materials, look for wood products that are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wherever possible, and at minimum ensure that any wood products are guaranteed to be legally harvested.

Environmentally preferable alternatives to virgin wood products include repurposed wood or recycled content plastic lumber. For additional environmental considerations when purchasing wood-based products, visit The NRDC Consumer’s Guide to Buying Wood .

Whenever possible, reuse set pieces and furniture and store them for later events. When disposing of these items, consider donating furniture to senior centers or other charitable organizations for reuse, and recycle construction materials (ask your waste hauler for assistance).

When purchasing carpet, choose carpet that is reusable, non-toxic, and contains recycled content, and ensure these products do not contain PVC and are low-VOC emitters. Where possible, look for Green Label/Green Label Plus products. Instead of purchasing carpeting for an event, where feasible rent carpeting that can be returned to the manufacturer afterwards for reuse, and ultimately recycled.

When purchasing paints, finishes, or wood preservatives, choose low-VOC emitting products.

When decorating, give priority to live plants rather than cut flowers. Choose plants that are locally and organically grown when possible. If you plan to use plants as décor for an individual event, consider renting plants that can be returned to the vendor for reuse. If you use cut flowers or plants that require disposal, consider donating them afterwards to charitable organizations, give them to event attendees, or compost them. When choosing plants for landscaping, select plants that are drought-resistant and native to the climate and location of your facility. See the Landscaping section for more information on water-efficient irrigation practices and drought-tolerant plant species.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Safer Chemicals

OVERVIEW: INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS

Certain products and equipment can release into the air harmful chemicals including volatile organic compounds that can have an adverse impact on the health of people in your facility. Indoor air quality is sometimes much worse than outdoor air quality and indoor pollutants have many different sources, including paints, printer cartridges, adhesives, HVAC systems, portable generators, chairs and carpets, and other types of office equipment.

The sources of indoor air pollutants are diverse, and so are the solutions. Consider starting with the following suggestions, and consult the EPA’s Building Air Quality Guide for Facility Managers for more information about the reduction of indoor pollution.

  • Monitor for common indoor air pollutants such as radon and carbon monoxide
  • Centralizing printing and copying can reduce toner use and save money
  • Purchase products with low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Purchase less toxic cleaning and maintenance products
  • Limit use of indoor pesticides and investigate less toxic pest control methods

Health Benefits

The health effects of air pollutants vary depending on the particular pollutant. Elevated levels of SO2, NOX, VOCs, and particulate matter can cause or aggravate asthma and other serious respiratory symptoms, especially in children. Regular exposure to other pollutants, such as lead, benzene, radon, carbon monoxide, or pesticides, can also have serious effects on neurological, reproductive, and immune systems, and can even cause cancer. By monitoring for common indoor air pollutants such as CO and radon, your organization can help protect the health of staff, cast members, and theatregoers.

Additional Resources On Indoor Air Pollutants

LOW-VOC PRODUCTS

One of the important families of chemicals to consider when attempting to improve indoor air quality is volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many of these chemicals are harmful to human health, and they are emitted by many common products.

Review the list of potentially harmful product categories below and consider sending a letter to your organization’s suppliers asking about the VOC emissions of the products you are currently using.

What Are Low-VOC Products?

Many commonly used products, such as paints and adhesives, emit a variety of harmful chemicals into the air for months after they have been applied. These chemicals, collectively termed volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can have a negative impact on indoor air quality and public health. While VOCs were once necessary for good performance in many products, most companies now produce cost-effective low-VOC replacements.

Products that might emit VOCs include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Paints
  • Paint thinner
  • Solvents
  • Wood preservatives
  • Finishes *Aerosol sprays
  • Cleaners and disinfectants
  • Air fresheners
  • Stored fuels
  • Dry-cleaned clothing
  • Carpets
  • Caulks and sealants
  • Adhesives
  • Office furniture

Product Specifications

“Low” concentrations of VOCs will vary according to the product type. For interior paints and stains, for example, low VOC-emitting products are those with VOC concentrations below 50 g/L. The best way to ensure that the products your organization purchases are low-emission is to consult with your suppliers. Consider using the guidelines in the following sample letter to obtain information on the VOC emissions of the products your organization buys.

Vendors

Where possible, purchase products that have been certified by Green Seal or Green Guard . The EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Database , and the Responsible Purchasing Network are also excellent sources for product specifications, contract language, and lists of preferable products.

Sample letter to current suppliers

Dear ___,

[Our theatre] has initiated an effort to improve our environmental performance in all aspects of our operations. We would like to meet with you to discuss these objectives in more detail. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to less harmful products within the next few years.

We would like to reduce as much as possible the harmful effects associated with our operations, and we would like to speak with you about low-VOC alternatives to the products that we are currently using.

Please call me at your earliest convenience so that we can organize a meeting to pursue this discussion.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Reducing the VOCs emitted by the products your organization uses can have a number of positive effects on both public health and the environment. Tests have shown that indoor concentrations of VOCs can be 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor concentrations. Immediately after the application of a high-VOC product, indoor levels can be over 1,000 times higher than outdoor levels. High concentrations of VOCs are known to cause a number of health problems, including eye and throat irritation, headaches, and damage to liver and nervous systems. In addition, some VOCs are thought to cause cancer. By purchasing and using low-emissions products, your organization reduces health risks to employees, and guests.

In addition to the known health effects, VOCs are a principal contributor to ground-level ozone, which in turn is a principal component of urban smog. And when VOCs are deposited on outdoor impervious surfaces or in landfills, they can find their way into the water supply through urban runoff and leaching. Reducing the VOC-content of your venue’s purchases helps to reduce all of these negative impacts.

Additional Resources On VOCs

OZONE-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

Some products contain substances that break down the protective ozone layer that shields our planet from harmful ultraviolet rays. While these products are being phased out in many countries, you should check to make sure that the products you are using are not damaging the ozone layer.

Consider consulting your suppliers about the ozone depleting potential of the products they provide. The product specifications listed below should serve as a useful guide on how to avoid these chemicals.

Product Specifications

Many products contain chemicals that can destroy the protective layer of ozone that surrounds our planet. You should try to avoid products with the following kinds of chemicals:

  • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
  • Halons
  • Carbon tetrachloride
  • Methyl chloroform
  • Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
  • Methyl bromide

Vendors

Green Seal’s preferable product list contains several less harmful options for a range of product categories. You may also want to consult EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Database, which contains product specifications and contract language for a wide variety of additional products. The Responsible Purchasing Network is another resource.

Sample Letter To Current Suppliers

Dear ___,

[Our theatre] has initiated an effort to improve our environmental performance in all aspects of our operations. We would like to meet with you to discuss these objectives in more detail. We would also like to discuss ways to cost-effectively switch to products within the next few years that do not contribute to the depletion the ozone layer.

We would like to reduce as much as possible the harmful effects associated with our operations, and we would like to speak with you to ensure that the products we are purchasing do not contribute to this problem.

Please call me at your earliest convenience so that we can organize a meeting to pursue this discussion.

Environmental Benefits

Beneficial atmospheric ozone – as opposed to harmful ground-level ozone – filters out ultraviolet radiation from the sun that can cause cancer. Many products, such as refrigerants and aerosols, were once made with compounds that destroyed ozone when they were released into the atmosphere. In 1985, scientists discovered that concentrations of ozone in the atmosphere were falling rapidly, especially near the poles. This drop has since been attributed to ozone depleting substances such as CFCs and HCFCs. Although the Montreal Protocol treaty has greatly reduced the use of CFCs, some products in some countries are still made with these harmful chemicals.

Additional Resources On Ozone Depletion

Cleaning & Maintenance products and Services

Many common cleaning and maintenance products contain chemicals that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment. Consider consulting with your venue’s suppliers about less toxic alternatives to the cleaning products you currently buy. You may also wish to incorporate specifications for less toxic products in contracts and requests for proposals. Also consider reusable cleaning cloths and dilution centers, which cut down on waste and save money. The sample letter and contract specifications below should serve as a useful guide. For listings of green cleaning contractors, visit Green America’s National Green Pages .

Commute

BIKING AND WALKING

Improving your venue’s infrastructure to promote walking and bicycling can be a relatively inexpensive, small-scale change that supports ecologically preferable transportation and benefit public health. By improving pedestrian and bicycle access to your theatres, your can help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution on show days, which benefits the environment as well as the health of theatregoers, cast, crew members, and theatres staff. Bicycling also helps support the health and wellbeing of those travelling to the theatres through exercise. Several Broadway theatres have installed bike racks for staff use where space permits, as many Broadway staff bike to work.

Tips to promote bicycling

  • Provide secure and conveniently located bicycle racks for people travelling to the venue.
  • Provide safe pedestrian walkways to the facility from nearby transit options.
  • Prominently display pedestrian and bike maps in staff rooms and feature information on your website.
  • Offer incentives for walking and biking to the venue.
  • Arrange discounts at local bicycling shops or bike sharing programs for ticket-holders.
  • Disseminate information concerning bike routes and bicycle-friendly public transportation connections to audience members and feature all environmentally preferable transit information on your website.
  • Encourage staff cycling groups and events to promote organization-wide biking.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

The transportation sector is one of the main sources of smog, carbon monoxide, global warming, and harmful particles that can cause respiratory illnesses and other health problems. Bicycling or walking helps reduce all of these impacts, saves money, and is a healthy way to begin and end the day.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Public transportation is often cheaper than travel by car, and increased use of buses, trains, and subways reduces the need for onsite staff parking facilities. Review the ideas and resources below for more information on how encourage employees to commute by public transportation.

Tips to Encourage Public Transit

  • Pay or discount cost of employee public transportation passes
  • Provide other incentives for employees who take public transportation
  • Provide information on your website and in publicity materials on public transit options, including park and ride sites.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

PublicTransportation.org

American Public Transportation Association

CARPOOLS

Carpooling can save your employees money by reducing the amount of gas they buy and money they spend on auto-related upkeep. It also has significant environmental benefits, reducing the emission of harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. Consider the tips and resources below for information on how to increase carpooling to your venue.

Carpooling tips

  • Provide discounted and preferential parking for staff who carpool.
  • Actively match employees with those who live nearby.
  • Circulate tips for effective and enjoyable carpools on your internal website and in newsletters, and use to coordinate carpooling.
  • Offer other incentives for carpoolers.
  • Use your organization’s internal website and/or theatres bulletin boards to coordinate carpooling or recommend another existing carpooling website to help employees efficiently organize a regular carpool in their area.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

10 Tips for a Successful Carpool

INCENTIVES FOR HYBRIDS AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Hybrid and electric vehicles can save money and reduce emissions of harmful gasses such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Consider providing preferential and/or discounted parking for employees who commute in a hybrid or electric vehicle. Also consider working with sponsors or local businesses to partner on other incentives for attendees who drive hybrid and electric vehicles. You may also want to consider installing electric-charging stations at your venue for employees with plug-in vehicles. Even better, partner with sponsors to install solar systems to power electric-charging stations.

There are also state and federal incentives, tax credits, and insurance discounts available for hybrid drivers. Visit the US Department of Energy’s Fuel Efficient Vehicle Tax Incentive Information Center for lists of state and federal hybrid incentives.

For more information on environmentally preferable vehicles, visit NRDC: Grasping Green Car Technology , the EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide , and Fueleconomy.gov .

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

The transportation sector is one of the main sources of smog, carbon monoxide, global warming, and harmful particles that can cause respiratory illnesses and other health problems. Walking and bicycling helps reduce all of these impacts, saves money, and is a healthy way to begin and end the day. Carpooling and using public transportation reduces the total amount of cars on the road, which in turn reduces the many forms of pollution associated with the transportation sector.

In addition, many forms of public transportation use environmentally preferable fuels such as natural gas, electricity, and fuel cells. Using public transportation therefore reduces the transportation sector’s emissions of harmful compounds such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulates. This reduces emissions that can cause smog, global warming, acid rain, and negative health effects.

Building

LEED

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system is a nationally recognized standard for sustainable building design. The standards incorporate a range of environmental and public health considerations, including energy efficiency, building site selection, indoor air quality, water use, and many others.

Whether planning a new building construction, a major renovation, or retrofitting your current building, consider pursuing LEED certification.

Ask your developers and architects about LEED, and contact the U.S. Green Building Council at leedinfo@usgbc.org or (202) 82-USGBC for more information.

Vendors

Visit the LEED-Accredited Professionals Directory to find qualified green building specialists near you.

LEED CERTIFIED THEATRES AND VENUES

Several theatres have renovated, designed or retrofitted their facilities in efforts to achieve LEED certification. For example:

Henry Miller Theatre / Stephen Sondheim Theatre, LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors, 2009

Located within the LEED Platinum for Core & Shell Bank of America Tower in New York City, the Henry Miller Theatre (renamed the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in 2010) was the first Broadway theatre to receive LEED certification.

Some of Henry Miller Theatre’s sustainability features:

  • Reused the theatre façade and interior architectural components.
  • More than 85% of construction waste was diverted for recycling or reuse.
  • FSC wood was used throughout construction for more than half of rough and finish carpentry.
  • 25% of materials were locally sourced, including marble flooring and countertops.
  • 45% of materials were made from recycled-content materials, including high recycled-content wall panels and baseboards.
  • An under-slab drainage system captures groundwater and recycles it into a graywater system used for flushing toilets, reducing potable water use in bathrooms.
  • Waterless urinals in men’s bathrooms reduce potable water consumption by 30%.
  • Interior spaces were finished with low-VOC materials, Green Label Plus carpeting, and Greenguard Indoor Air Quality certified furniture.

Claire Tow Theatre at Lincoln Center, LEED Silver registered for New Construction

The Claire Tow Theatre, home to LTC3 at the Lincoln Center Theatre in New York, was designed and constructed to achieve LEED Silver certification.

Some of the Claire Tow Theatre’s sustainability features:

  • High efficiency fluorescent lighting fixtures use daylight sensors, occupancy sensors, and dimmers to reduce overlit spaces.
  • Windows feature insulated glass that provides solar shielding (reducing heat gains) and improved temperature retention within the building.
  • 45% of materials used in construction were made from recycled content.
  • 77% of construction waste (728 tons) was diverted for recycling.
  • The HVAC system uses demand-controlled ventilation, based on CO2 levels detected by occupancy sensors.
  • The HVAC system uses an air-side economizer, which uses outside air to cool building (when it is a lower temperature than recirculated air) instead of running compressors.
  • Variable speed drives are installed on HVAC fans and hot water pumps, allowing motor speeds to be adjusted based on demand (rather than fixed speed).
  • An outdoor terrace at the theatre features a green roof.

Balzer Theatre at Herren’s, LEED Silver for New Construction, 2005

The Balzer Theatre at Herren’s in Atlanta, home of the Theatrical Outfit, was the first free-standing theatre to receive LEED certification in the southeast U.S..

Some of the Balzer Theatre’s sustainability features:

  • HVAC system uses demand-controlled ventilation, using CO2 occupancy sensors throughout the theatre to control level of HVAC.
  • Improved insulation and high-efficiency lighting retrofits resulted in a 25% reduction in energy use.
  • A 7500-gallon rainwater collection tank on the theatre’s roof collects water that is reused for toilets and sewage systems, reducing their water bill by 70%. The theatre also uses low-flow toilets and waterless urinals.
  • 33% of materials used in construction were made from recycled content, such as carpeting that was made from recycled glass.
  • Interior finishes used low- or no-VOC adhesives, sealants, paints, coating, carpeting
  • 75% of construction waste was diverted for recycling or reuse.

Gerding Theatre at the Armory, LEED Platinum for New Construction, 2006.

The Gerding Theatre at the Armory, home of the Portland Center Stage Company in Portland, OR, was the first building listed on the National Register of Historic Places (originally constructed in 1891) to receive LEED Platinum. The facility includes a 5000-seat main stage theatre, 200-seat black box theatre, rehearsal hall, community space, and offices.

Some of the Gerding Theatre’s sustainability features:

  • The renovation reused the original building, including the existing roof and shell (brick, stone, and wood trusses).
  • The building is located in proximity to public transit, bicycle and pedestrian routes
  • Pervious pavers on the property filter stormwater and reduce runoff.
  • Rainwater is captured on the roof and collected in a 10,000-gallon underground cistern, which reduces stormwater runoff. The collected water is used to flush toilets and urinals.
  • The combination of a rainwater system, lack of irrigation system, dual-flush toilets and low-flow showers and faucets reduces water use by 88%.
  • The building is connected to district-chilled-water plant and uses chilled beams to cool the building (or hot water to heat building). Displacement and underfloor ventilation is used in the lobby and main theatre.
  • Windows feature advanced glazing, allowing for maximized daylighting and minimized heat loss and gains; skylights in administrative offices and lobbies provide natural light.
  • Lighting is controlled by photosensors, occupancy sensors, and dimmers.

Theatre 101 at Virginia Tech, LEED Gold for New Construction, 2010

Theatre 101, home to the Department of Theatre Arts and Cinema at Virginia Tech, was the campus’s first LEED-certified building project.

Some of Theatre 101’s sustainability features:

  • 90% of occupied spaces are daylit.
  • A biorentention basin captures stormwater runoff from the property.
  • Retrofits resulted in a 20% reduction in water use and 35% reduction in energy use.
  • 79% of construction waste was diverted for reuse or recycling.
  • 20% of construction materials were made from recycled content.
  • 26% of construction materials were locally manufactured.

52nd Street Project, LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors, 2012

The interior fit-out of the 52nd Street Project’s new facility was designed and constructed to achieve LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors in 2012. The building features a black-box multi-use performance space as well as rehearsal, classroom and administrative spaces.

Some of the 52nd Street Project’s sustainability features:

  • 30% of employees bike to work. Bike racks and showers are available at the facility.
  • Bathrooms feature sensors on water faucets and dual-flush toilets.
  • The facility space is divided into different HVAC zones (by use) with dedicated air handling units.
  • 100% of staff offices have access to daylight.

Other LEED Buildings

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

The materials, energy, and water used to construct buildings and keep them running smoothly and comfortably all have environmental impacts. Green buildings are designed to minimize these impacts on the environment by using environmentally preferable construction materials and techniques, including: reducing water and energy use, minimizing waste, and making better use of natural features like shade, daylight, and rainwater. In so doing, green buildings reduce their contribution to biodiversity loss, global warming, and many other environmental pressures.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

HVAC SYSTEMS

Heating, cooling, and ventilation systems consume a lot of energy. Replacing a less efficient system with a more efficient model can yield energy and cost savings during the course of its use.

When purchasing a new HVAC system, consider purchasing the most efficient model that suits your needs. Visit the US EPA’s Energy Star products database for a list of the most efficient HVAC systems. In addition, consult the Energy Star Building Manual for Heating and Cooling to learn more about HVAC efficiency upgrades. For those products that are not rated by Energy Star, consult the Federal Energy Management Program .

For a list of additional available incentives and rebates in your state, visit the State Database of Renewables and Efficiency and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s Tax Incentives Assistance Project.

A zoning system that conditions spaces based on different use “zones” can also be an effective way to reduce HVAC energy use in your building, particularly if your building has spaces with very variant occupancy levels throughout different times of the day.

Calculate savings from energy-efficient products .

ENERGY EFFICIENCY SAVES MONEY

Replacing inefficient HVAC equipment with newer, more efficient, and better-designed equipment can yield operating cost reductions during the lifetime of a new or renovated facility. According to the EPA, replacing components of an older HVAC typically yield annual savings of around 20% below current energy costs.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

When replacing HVAC equipment, keep the following in mind:

  • Consider using the EPA’s Energy Star program
  • If Energy Star does not rate the particular appliance, purchase the most efficient model feasible
  • Look for other energy saving features such as programmability and power-saving functions
  • Many products continue to use energy, even when they’re turned off. Look for products that use as little energy as possible while in “off” mode.
  • When replacing lighting and appliances with more efficient models, heating loads can be reduced, sometimes enabling your facility to downsize HVAC systems.

BENEFITS OF REPLACING HVAC SYSTEMS

Most energy consumed in the United States comes from coal, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and numerous negative heath impacts, while also adding significantly to human-derived global warming.

Investing in better HVAC systems also ensures a healthier environment for theatre staff, audiences, and cast and crew members. Improved filtration technology decreases the amount of particulates and bio contaminants (fungus, mold, viruses) in the workspace. Newer HVAC systems are also more adept at filtering and sealing out nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and other air pollutants that can harm staff and visitors to your facility.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

BUILDING ENVELOPE

A building’s envelope is the exterior surface of a building’s construction, including the building’s foundation, walls, roof, windows, and doors. A tighter building envelope lowers energy use, reduces heating and cooling bills, and potentially minimizes capital costs related to HVAC systems. An energy audit can help assess the thermal performance of your building and opportunities to improve your building’s envelope.

New constructions provide the opportunity to address the building envelope in the design phase. Often high performance building envelopes can result in a downsizing of mechanical equipment. As a result, higher upfront envelope costs can be offset by lower operational costs.

Renovations to existing buildings also provide opportunities for increased efficiency. Upgrading to high performance windows or adding extra insulation to the roof membrane or building exterior can improve the seal of your building.

For a list of energy efficiency incentives and rebates in your state, visit the State Database of Renewables and Efficiency .

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

According to the Department of Energy, 40% of the energy used to cool and heat typical buildings is lost due to air leaks in the building envelope. Most energy consumed in the United States comes from coal, which contributes to smog, soot, and numerous negative health and ecological impacts, including global warming. In addition, coal mining – especially surface mining and mountaintop removal – is devastating some of the world’s most biologically important habitats and ecosystems. Improving your facility’s building envelope may reduce energy loss and cut energy consumption and related impacts.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

WASTEWATER RECYCLING AND REUSE

WASTEWATER RECYCLING

Recycled wastewater systems disinfect water collected from showers and baths, laundry, and bathroom sinks for non-potable water uses including irrigation and toilets. Although treating greywater requires an initial capital investment, doing so conserves water and can yield savings in annual water bills. Review the examples below and consider installing a water recycling system when building a new facility or renovating an existing building.

WASTEWATER RECYCLING CAN SAVE MONEY

Unilever, which produces over 400 brands of home, personal care, and food products, performed a water audit of a laundry detergent factory in Georgia in 1995 and then embarked upon a program of increased efficiency efforts, including rainwater collection, wastewater reuse, and educating employees on the economic and environmental importance of water conservation. These improvements save the company over $100,000 a year.

Solaire Apartments, located in Battery Park in New York City, was built in 2003 and contains 250 units. Water from irrigation, cooling towers, and toilets is collected, treated, and reused again for those purposes. The system reduces the building’s freshwater use by 75%.

RAINWATER HARVESTING

Collecting rainwater off roofs for reuse can be an environmentally preferable and a potentially economical approach to fulfilling a portion of your facility’s water needs. Rainwater catchment systems, which can include cisterns, rain barrels, and other simple devices to capture and reuse rainwater, can be designed and installed on a small scale as well as at larger scales.

Review the examples below, and consider installing a rainwater catchment system when embarking upon new construction or renovation.

Rainwater catchment examples

  • NRDC’s Santa Monica Office
  • Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany
    • This venue for the 2006 FIFA Soccer World Cup uses a rainwater harvesting system that diverts rainwater into one of the largest cisterns in Europe, capable of storing over 49,000 cubic feet of water. The cistern supplies non-potable water for uses such as irrigating the soccer field.
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology Stata Center
    • Stormwater/rainwater catchment system provides water for non-potable uses such as toilets. Case Study

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Almost half the world’s population lives without a reliable supply of clean drinking water. In the United States, many sources of freshwater are being depleted faster than they can be recharged by natural processes. This is especially true in the Southwest. The Colorado River, for example, which supplies water to 30 million people in seven states and Mexico, is at its lowest level since water flow records began being kept about 100 years ago. It often runs dry before it reaches the sea, adversely impacting farmers, residents, and aquatic life. Water conservation is especially important in light of the looming pressures of global warming, which threaten to significantly increase evaporation as well as instances of severe drought. Water scarcity will rival sea level rise as one of the consequences of global climate disruption.

Recycling wastewater helps reduce pressure on drinking water resources. Harvesting rainwater helps preserve natural water resources and stream and river ecosystems. Rainwater catchment systems also can reduce the need to transport water from distant locations, thereby reducing energy use and infrastructure requirements. Water conservation measures can help to ensure that future generations have access to the water they need.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

FSC WOOD

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international agency that tracks and certifies sustainably-harvested wood and wood products. The amount of FSC-certified wood available in the market is growing every year. When conducting a renovation or new construction project, consult with your theatre’s architects, contractors, and suppliers and try to use FSC-certified products.

To find suppliers of FSC-certified wood products, submit a product inquiry through the FSC website, or visit the Forest Stewardship Council Certificate Database . Be sure to search for FSC products, and not those certified through the industry vehicle SFI.

If you are unable to find FSC-certified wood, at minimum, ensure that any wood products are guaranteed to be legally harvested. Consult the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species to confirm that you’re not buying an illegally traded species and inadvertently contributing to the destruction of a dwindling resource.

Environmentally preferable alternatives to virgin wood products include repurposed wood or recycled content plastic lumber. For additional environmental considerations when purchasing wood-based products, visit the NRDC Consumer’s Guide to Buying Wood .

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Wood that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council has been harvested in a more sustainable manner with fewer habitat and cultural impacts. Forests create oxygen, protect biodiversity, filter pollutants from the air, and help mitigate global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas. They also play an essential role in water purification and can help mitigate floods and erosion.

By purchasing FSC-certified wood, your organization is supporting more responsible forestry practices that help protect forest ecosystems. FSC is the only certification system acknowledged by the world’s leading environmental organizations, including NRDC, to provide adequate protection for the world’s forests.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

GREENER ROOFS

GREEN ROOFS AND REFLECTIVE ROOFS

The roofs of most buildings are black and absorb sunlight, warming the building and increasing the need for cooling during the summer. By coating your theatre’s roof with a light reflective surface, your venue can reduce its energy use, saving both money and natural resources. Green roofs go a step further. By planting vegetation on the roof of your theatre, you reduce summer cooling loads, absorb greenhouse gases, and reduce water runoff.

When considering new construction or a renovation, ask your architects, suppliers, and contractors about green and reflective roof options.

Green Roof Examples

The Wild Project Theatre in New York City installed a 1,500-square-foot green roof in 2007. The system uses modular drainage mats to house the 4″ thick lightweight soil medium bed, composed of organic compost from Long Island and expanded shale. They achieve savings of $4.50 per square roof in energy reduction each year over a typical black tar roof. The roof uses drought-resistant plants like low Green and Gold, Wild Columbine, Blue Eyed Grass, Wild Ginger, Chives, Native Geranium, prickly pear cacti, and native asters, along with reclaimed wood decking.

At 2.5 acres, the green roof atop the Target Center, home to the Minnesota Timberwolves, captures about a million gallons of stormwater per year, saving $10,000 annually in stormwater charges, as well as helping to prevent runoff into the Mississippi River and alleviate the urban heat island effect. Read more about the Timberwolves’ greening efforts .

Citi Field, home to the New York Metssince 2009, boasts a 15,000 square foot green roof, which reduces energy demand by acting as extra insulation, retaining cool air in the summer and heat in the winter. The green roof also reduces water consumption and diverts approximately 80% of stormwater runoff. Read more about the Mets’ greening efforts.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Green and reflective roofs reduce energy consumption, mitigate air pollution, and help to lessen urban heat island effects. Less energy consumption means less global warming emissions less pollution, less acid rain, and fewer negative health and ecological effects associated with air pollution. Decreased stormwater runoff helps preserve stream habitats and prevent sewage overflows.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ONSITE RENEWABLES

On-site renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, is a way to supply some of the power for your facility while reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Many major companies, educational institutions, and governmental facilities now use some type of on-site renewable energy to provide power to their facilities.

Visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency for a list of available incentives and rebates in your state.

NYSERDA offers funding for the installation of solar electric PV systems, solar thermal hot water systems, wind turbines, and geothermal heating and cooling systems. Visit their Renewable Energy site for details on eligible models and available installers.

ON-SITE RENEWABLES CAN BE COST-EFFECTIVE

On-site renewables, such as wind and solar power, can help keep the cost of your electricity stable, improve the fuel diversity of your system, promote your facility’s energy independence, and generate positive publicity by visibly demonstrating a civic commitment to reduce fossil fuel use. They also offer the potential to feed excess energy that is generated on-site back into the grid (called “net-metering,” which can turn your meter backwards), a potential source of income. In addition, there are incentives available that can reduce the initial capital cost.

On-site solar generation at theatres:

Broadway Stages partnered with Solar Energy Systems, Greenpoint Energy Partners and NYSERDA to install a 50,000-square-foot solar PV system on their roof, intended to provide power to their seven Brooklyn studios. The system is projected to cover 32% of their power needs annually, producing 500,000 kWh of energy each year. This adds up to as much as $100,000 in avoided energy costs, and 822,000 pounds of avoided carbon dioxide emissions.

The Wharf , home of Sydney Theatre Company in Australiainstalled a 384-kW solar PV system on their roof in November 2010, which was at the time the second largest rooftop installation in Australia. The 1906-panel system uses Suntechpluto monocrystalline cells technology which was co-developed by the University of New South Wales. The system provides approximately 70% of the theatre’s energy use.

For more examples of onsite solar generation, visit On-site Renewables at EPA Office .

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Fossil fuel energy generation – for electricity, transportation, and industrial uses – is the principal cause of air pollution and global warming. By generating electricity from on-site solar, your organization can reduce its demand for fossil fuel energy and also reduce its contributions to smog, acid rain, pollution-related illness, and global warming.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

DAYLIGHTING

Daylighting means using natural light instead of artificial lighting fixtures for interior lighting. Because daylighting reduces the need for electric lighting, it saves money while reducing impacts to the environment. Skylights, clerestory windows, light reflectors, light shelves, light tubes, and other techniques help draw light into your building. Using building orientation to your advantage can also help bring natural light into your building. Review the daylighting examples below, and consider opportunities to incorporate daylighting in offices and in your facility when making major renovations.

DAYLIGHTING SAVES MONEY

Daylighting can reduce a building’s lighting requirements. In addition, some studies suggest that natural light improves employee morale and productivity. If designed properly, daylighting can also decrease the need for more costly space heating.

For more information, visit the Department of Energy’s Daylighting webpage .

Daylighting Examples

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Daylighting can reduce the amount of energy your theatre needs for lighting, heating, and cooling, reducing costs and emissions related to energy production. Energy use is one of the largest environmental impacts in any facility, and also one of the greatest costs. Most energy consumed in the United States comes from coal, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and negative health and ecological impacts, and also contributes significantly to human-derived global warming. In addition, coal mining – especially surface mining and mountaintop removal – is devastating many of the world’s most biologically important habitats and ecosystems. Reducing energy use can have a positive impact on all of these factors and should also save your theatre money.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

INTERIORS AND DÉCOR

Décor items such as furniture, carpet, plants, and paint can have a range of environmental and health impacts based on their production, transportation, use, and disposal. By purchasing products produced locally and in a more sustainable manner, your venue can reduce its contribution to global warming, water pollution, habitat destruction, and many other negative impacts. When designing interiors or décor items, give preference to products that can be reused, contain recycled or bio-based content, are non-toxic, and are locally grown.

When purchasing set pieces, furniture, floor coverings, and construction materials, look for wood products that are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wherever possible, and at minimum ensure that any wood products are guaranteed to be legally harvested.

Environmentally preferable alternatives to virgin wood products include repurposed wood or recycled content plastic lumber. For additional environmental considerations when purchasing wood-based products, visit The NRDC Consumer’s Guide to Buying Wood .

Whenever possible, reuse set pieces and furniture and store them for later events. When disposing of these items, consider donating furniture to senior centers or other charitable organizations for reuse, and recycle construction materials (ask your waste hauler for assistance).

When purchasing carpet, choose carpet that is reusable, non-toxic, and contains recycled content, and ensure these products do not contain PVC and are low-VOC emitters. Where possible, look for Green Label/Green Label Plus products. Instead of purchasing carpeting for an event, where feasible rent carpeting that can be returned to the manufacturer afterwards for reuse, and ultimately recycled.

When purchasing paints, finishes, or wood preservatives, choose low-VOC emitting products. See the Low-VOC Products section for more information.

When decorating, give priority to live plants rather than cut flowers. Choose plants that are locally and organically grown when possible. If you plan to use plants as décor for an individual event, consider renting plants that can be returned to the vendor for reuse. If you use cut flowers or plants that require disposal, consider donating them afterwards to charitable organizations, give them to event attendees, or compost them. When choosing plants for landscaping, select plants that are drought-resistant and native to the climate and location of your facility. See the Landscaping section for more information on water-efficient irrigation practices and drought-tolerant plant species.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Tracking

SUSTAINABILITY METRICS

Implementing operational improvements to make your facility run more efficiently can yield considerable environmental and cost savings. Developing baseline information on your operations is crucial to tracking the progress of your sustainability initiatives. Tracking your environmental performance not only helps quantify these improvements, but can also help your operations staff understand where there are opportunities for increased efficiency and potential cost savings.

ENERGY USE

Energy use is one of the largest impacts at any facility. Start tracking your energy consumption (through your utility bills, energy meters, etc.) and consider using Energy Star Portfolio Manager to input and track consumption data. Consider the following metrics:

  • Total electricity consumed– in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and dollars ($). Note: if possible obtain info about which facilities measured, time period measured
  • Renewable energy proportion purchased(kWh and/or % of total energy consumed, and $). Note: if possible obtain info about type of energy provided (e.g, solar, wind)
  • Energy generated through on-site renewable installations(kWh)
  • Energy generated through on-site fossil fuel installations(kWh)
  • Offsets purchased(in MWs and converted into lbs/tons of CO2 equivalent offset, $). Notes: type of offset (e.g., solar, wind), contact info of offset provider
  • Other energy consumed(e.g., generator diesel) – in gallons or appropriate quantity

Optional:

  • Energy efficiency benefits achieved, if available: data of quantified energy savings through efficiency measures (kWh, $)

WASTE DIVERSION

Work with your waste haulers to track your waste stream by material and calculate waste diversion rates. Consider joining EPA’s WasteWise to input and track waste diversion data. Consider the following metrics:

  • Total solid waste produced(in lbs/tons)
  • Cost per ton of garbage disposed($)
  • Percent and tonnage of each component of waste stream recycled(plastics, metals, paper, cardboard, cooking oil, etc.) (in lbs/tons)

Optional:

  • Percent and tonnage of waste stream composted(in lbs/tons)

WATER USE

Start tracking your water consumption through your utility bills and consider using Energy Star Portfolio Manager to input and track consumption data. Consider the following metrics:

  • Total water use(in cubic feet or gallons)
  • Cost of water acquisition($ per feet3 or m3 or gallon)
  • Cost of water disposal/sewage($ per feet3 or m3 or gallon)

Optional:

  • Any available data of quantified water savings through efficiency measures(e.g., waterless urinals)
  • Any available data on greywater use

PAPER PURCHASING

Work with your suppliers and venue operations staff to track paper purchases. Consider using the Environmental Paper Network’s Paper Calculator to calculate resource savings from switching to recycled content paper. Consider the following metrics:

  • Restrooms/Offices: total tissue paper (towels, napkins, tissue) consumed(% of recycled content, % of postconsumer content, in lbs/tons, per event or per year)
  • Office: total copier paper consumed(% of recycled content, % of postconsumer content, in lbs/tons, per event or per year)
  • Programs, posters, print collateral:(% of recycled content, % of postconsumer content of all paper consumed, in lbs/tons)

Optional:

  • If available, other grades of paper consumed, e.g. coated paper, cardboard (% of recycled content, % of postconsumer content of all paper consumed, in lbs/tons)
  • If available, total paper consumed that is FSC-certified

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

Many companies with a commitment to environmental improvements issue annual reports on their progress. Look over the corporate examples below, and consider developing your own sustainability report.

Alternatively, if your organization publishes an annual report on community relations, consider including environmental issues and initiatives. Review the Additional Resources below for links to more examples and resources that may assist your organization in putting together a report.

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY REPORT EXAMPLES

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Publishing a sustainability report takes time and effort, but it helps your organization track your supply chain impacts and costs, is a useful tool to declare your organization’s commitment to sustainability, and will help to track and report environmental improvements annually. Sustainability reports let employees, suppliers, and the public know that your organization is serious about achieving and documenting environmental improvements.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES