RIF Environmental Policy 2020/21

Following the process of registering for Albert Accreditation for sustainability, it became clear that we should make clear our policy on care for creation and the planet and our part in sustainable working.

We are a small company and to date have only produced short films on what in industry terms are exceptionally low budgets for theatrical standard productions. However, our attitude to the climate issues we face is not subject to financial constraints it is something that we all face together, and this is how we seek to proceed. We want to manage the productions through steps that: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rehome, Recycle, Replace, Rot & Respect!

What follows is a statement of how we will seek to build on our experience to date:

For each production undertaken we will:

Management:

  1. Review this Environmental Policy to ensure we plan the shoot to the highest standards possible and to generate communications to all Crew and Cast, including a Memo that goes on the first day’s call sheet.
  2. Appoint a Green Runner/Steward to oversee the environmental programme and who will co-ordinate with a green contact in each dept.
  3. Register with the Albert sustainability programme, and use their calculator to accurately offset any of the carbon footprint that we are unable to reduce.

Advocacy:

  1. Include sustainability issues in our press, PR and public facing communications. We want to raise awareness about sustainability, giving it a high priority and seeking those who will partner with us in this objective.

Waste:

  1. Implement a production recycling programme.
  2. Not use polystyrene in the catering dept, and require environmentally considered menus and sustainability policies from caterers.
  3. Donate any unwanted production assets such as food, props, or clothes, to charity.
  4. Distribute call sheets and contracts electronically.
  5. Always print and copy double sided (if printing is essential).
  6. Eliminate plastic water bottles through the provision of water coolers and personal canisters and/or ask crew to bring water canisters from home.
  7. Reduce the build of sets, making best use of suitable locations.

Energy:

  1. Use sustainable electricity suppliers or, if absolutely necessary for the production, hire a portable biodiesel or if viable a solar generator.
  2. Seek to participate in industry research programmes including energy and fuel tracking.
  3. Implement a ‘Switch Off’ energy reduction campaign.
  4. Implement a no-idling policy for all vehicles.
  5. Recycle all batteries and use rechargeable batteries.

Catering:

  1. Provide Vegetarian/Vegan menus.
  2. Run, or make use of an existing composting programme for all food waste.
  3. Reduce food miles, by buying locally and seeking to ensure caterers also do this.
  4. Remove all plastic wrapped snacks from craft services.

Accommodation:

  1. Use local, budget accommodation when this is required.

Transport:

  1. Organise car-pooling or minibuses when travelling to set.
  2. Seek green and low carbon transport suppliers.

 

In addition, as far as is possible we will

  1. Include visibility onscreen in the productions, awareness of sustainability practice.
  2. As far as artistic licence allows, cast, crew and shoot the films locally.
  3. Make use of public transport.
  4. Seek to have or encourage the use of, sustainable power suppliers for all office accommodation associated with RIF productions.