OUR BEHAVIOUR

WHAT WE CAN DO EVERYDAY

We are currently engaging in numerous behavioural changes for our company. We have established a green purchasing policy which includes an aim to buy from local sources where possible to reduce emmisions caused by transportation. We will aim to buy green power, source green products, produce our marketing materials and programs on recycled paper and print with soya-based inks, send electronic invitations, offset our staff and artist’s air travel, our seats in the auditorium, and continue to green our building’s infrastructure; from changing our light globes to building a roof of solar panels. In the office we have removed individual bins in favour of individual paper recycling bins, hired a more efficient photocopying and printing machine. In our workshop, we recycle all steel and lightbulbs. Our education department is working towards reducing all paper usage by 50%. In all endeavours we attempt to reduce, re-use and recycle.

SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE REALITY
One of our main hurdles in greening our theatre making practice is the amount of light we use in our theatres. Lighting theatre uses a great deal of power, and generates a large amount of heat. While it is true that once shows are up and running this power consumption and heat generation is limited to a few hours in the day, nevertheless we are committed to reducing the carbon footprint of lighting as much as possible.

As the theatre lighting industries develop ever more efficient means of generating the light required for performance, we are attempting to incorporate these technologies into our designs. At present many of these new technologies are cost-prohibitive, but their cost is dropping daily and their benefits are starting to appear in the Merlyn, the Beckett and the Tower Theatres.

WHAT YOU CAN DO EVERYDAY
There are a range of actions you can take to reduce your own carbon footprint on a daily basis. With very little impact to your lifestyle you can, take public transport, change your lightbulbs, use a water saving shower head, use cold water in the washing machine, turn your TV off at the wall, start a compost bin or take a mug to the coffee stand! The smallest changes can make a difference.

For more ideas you can visit:

Australian Government Climate Change Education Resources

Australian Conservation Foundation

Zero Your Carbon