Sustainability

The carbon footprint of rural touring is at least 50% less than that of a show in a town-based theatre with more than 50% of audiences living less than 5 km from a village venue.

Promoters

• On Line Ticketing: A simple and effective way to reduce your carbon footprint is to switch from paper tickets to an online booking system. They are simple and easy to use and generally only charge a small premium. Examples include Ticketsource WeGotTickets.com and Little Box Office

• Recycle - use split bins and compost food waste and make recycling bins accessible.

• Use local suppliers for food and drinks.

• Use disposable items as a last resort only, try to avoid plastic and non recyclable products. It may seem like a simple change but using reusable cups and plates at an event can reduce waste, save you money, save water used in production and lower the production of greenhouse gasses. "Yearly paper cups account for the cutting down of 6.5 million trees".

• Install friendly signs reminding people to turn off the lights and recycle. Positive reinforcement tends to work better than an order or telling off or preaching.

• Undertake a Carbon Audit of the Village Hall. The first step in tackling your carbon footprint is to understand your carbon output. The Home Survey Tool from Theatre Green Book enables building owners and managers to create a sustainability plan for their buildings.

• Swap to LED Energy Saving Bulbs: A simple but effective change that village halls can make is to swap to LED energy saving lightbulbs. For each bulb that is switched, an average of 5KG of C02 emissions can be save and also save up to £60 a year on electricity bills. Find out more about how to switch from this link: Replacing halogen spotlights | Smart Energy GB 
  

• Use your space to promote climate awareness, communicating to audiences about how the venue / organiser are working to reduce their carbon footprint is very valued by audiences.

• Could you incentivise your audiences to walk to events or car share? How about offering walkers a free raffle ticket or 10% off at the bar? advertise transport options if they exist.

• Could you hold themed events or link in with green initiatives?

• Could you make your venue more nature friendly? Use certified cleaning products, grow more plants, become a habitat for wildlife by embracing No Mow May, building a Swift box, bug hotel or hedges. 
  

• New Technologies and energy efficiency measures: There's lots of information out there and schemes for community halls - such as Welsh Government Community Facilities Programme   The Lottery Communities Fund and Egin, a programme that aims to unlock the collective power of communities in Wales to take their first steps towards tackling climate change and living more sustainably.

Performers

• Not all companies can afford an electric van and tours based on convenient geographic locations are normally difficult to achieve. The Theatre Green Book is a good starting point when thinking about the changes you can make - link below

• Think about the little changes you can make, even as a small company, that make a difference. This could be a commitment to repurposing and upcycling of props, appointing an environmental advocate within the company, buying locally, ensuring props and materials go on to have a future life, not using certain materials or buying plastic water bottles each time you are doing a gig.

• Avoid non-biodegradable materials e.g. glitter, balloons.

• Avoid sending anything to landfill and think instead whether you could sell or pass on any props you may not need any longer to other performers or community groups.

• Putting the environment and sustainability on the agenda at the start of the project can mean you make conscious choices as a company that can make a difference.

• Think about recycling. Where are your nearest recycle points?

• Remember to switch off equipment when not in use.

• Think about food - prepare in advance or everyone buys crisps, sandwiches in plastic wrappers and sweets at each service station.