In recent years, we’ve come to understand how detrimental the modern human lifestyle is to the environment. The effects of climate change are becoming more pronounced, and Americans alone generate more than 262 million tons of waste annually according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And the entertainment industry, especially film and television production, is one of the biggest culprits.

Entertainment industry insiders report that, on an eight-week shoot, a single film technician generates about 2.5 tons of carbon. Compare that number to the seven tons generated by the average American over the course of a year, and it’s easy to see the scope of the problem. There could be upwards of 250 cast and crew members working on a single production, further compounding the issue.

The good news is that the film industry has begun to make strides in combating its negative environmental effects. Increasingly, film crews have an on-set eco manager and/or sustainability consultant who oversees sustainable efforts such as recycling, composting, and the utilization of alternative energy. But more work still needs to be done, and the film industry, which is projected to bring in $50 billion in annual revenue to the United States by 2020, can set a precedent for other major industries looking to reduce their carbon footprint into the future.

Environmental Protection and Film Production

The environmental impact of film and television productions are significant for a number of reasons. Once a production wraps, for example, sets and props are typically discarded and end up in landfills. But much of that set material, such as wood and metals, could be recycled instead.

In addition, props should be re-used as often as possible, or diverted to platforms that sell movie and television memorabilia. This option is especially doable in the realms of science-fiction, fantasy, and horror. Those genres have active, passionate fan bases that hold periodic gatherings such as conventions where props and costumes are sold for top dollar.

The film industry can also do better during pre-production, and utilize sustainable building practices from the get-go. Sustainable product design is a cornerstone of environmental mindfulness and is easy to implement, even on large-scale productions. The film and entertainment industries have a duty to reduce carbon emissions, and should follow in the footsteps of major corporations that are committed to reducing their environmental impact. Corporate leaders in sustainability include Kraft, Coca-Cola, and Levi’s, the latter of which has reduced the amount of water used in its finishing process by 96% since 2011.

Notable Examples of Sustainable Filmmaking

No matter the issue, strides towards widespread change often start at the individual level. A single crew member who cares about their personal carbon footprint may be able to foster an environmentally friendly mindset within an entire production. For instance, production assistant Emellie O’Brien began recycling and composting on the set of a television show in 2011 because she was “appalled” by the amount of on-set waste.

The following year, O’Brien brought that environmental stewardship to the set of Darren Aronofsky’s Noah, serving as the film’s sustainability consultant. Her efforts attracted attention within the industry, and the role of eco-manager became an integral part of many subsequent productions. O’Brien has since worked as an eco-manager or supervisor on numerous films, including 2014’s Annie remake, Money Monster, The Goldfinch, and Okja.

Waste reduction is just a small part of the overall sustainability of a film or television production, however. The filming process requires a significant amount of energy, and that power can be obtained from sustainable sources. Much like homeowners can utilize renewable energy for their everyday power needs, so can a film or television production. When filming on location in an outdoor environment, solar panels can provide the bulk of the energy needed to power light and sound equipment, as well as trailers for cast members.

How Filmmaking Affects Natural Spaces

Along with producing high levels of carbon emissions and generating vast amounts of waste, film productions can also wreak havoc on the natural environment. While many films and television shows are shot entirely on an indoor sound stage, others must be filmed outdoors. Several films stand out when it comes to the damage that happens to natural spaces, such as Mad Max: Fury Road, which harmed natural sand dune environments, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The three Lord of the Rings films, based on the beloved novels by J.R.R. Tolkein, were filmed in succession during a single shoot, primarily in outdoor spaces. The trilogy was shot on location in New Zealand, the home of director Peter Jackson, and principal photography spanned 274 days. In some cases, sets were carved into the natural environment itself, forever altering those spaces, such as the Hobbiton Village, which remains a tourist attraction to this day.

Due to the often drastic environmental effects that can result from a single film or television production, the industry as a whole needs to step up and bolster change. The benefits of on-set sustainability are multifaceted: Entertainment productions can significantly reduce their carbon emissions and waste generated to help offset the effects of climate change. What’s more, sustainability efforts may help reduce production costs, thanks to energy efficient tax credits and similar incentive programs.

Just as average citizens may qualify for tax credits after installing solar panels or geothermal heat systems, film productions with a commitment to sustainability can also benefit on a financial level. In 2016, the City of New York launched the country’s first sustainability designation program for the film and television industry. To qualify for the program, a production must adhere to a number of core practices, which include waste diversion, reducing transportation-related emissions, and training cast and crew on sustainability best practices.

As the NYC-based film and television industry brings in $9 billion annually, the city’s sustainability initiative is a huge step in the right direction where sustainability is concerned. Yet it remains to be seen whether other cities with a large-scale film and television production industry, such as Los Angeles and Vancouver, will follow in NYC’s footsteps. Until environmental stewardship becomes more widespread across the entertainment industry, sustainability efforts remain the responsibility of every individual film and television production.