Broadways carbon footprint

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 7/24/24 at 9:38am

I hear it’s quite high.  What are they doing to lower our carbon emissions?  I don’t hear any costume designers talking about upcycling.  I don’t believe these theaters are run on green energy.  Certainly all those playbills that mostly get thrown away don’t help.  What needs to be done here?  The broadway green alliance hasn’t changed much. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 7/24/24 at 10:09am

Broadway Flash said: "I hear it’s quite high. What are they doing to lower our carbon emissions? I don’t hear any costume designers talking about upcycling. I don’t believe these theatersare run on green energy. Certainly all those playbills that mostly get thrown away don’t help. What needs to be done here? The broadway green alliance hasn’tchanged much."

What do you think is defined as "green energy"?

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 7/24/24 at 10:26am

The natural energies of the earth that don’t heat up the planet and are renewable.  Thermal, Wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, ocean energy.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 7/24/24 at 10:43am

Had almost anyone else posted this question, it would likely lead to a productive discussion about an important topic.  Might we try doing that instead of expressing unhelpful vitriol to/about the OP?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/24/24 at 10:45am

The common practice in NYC of high-net-worth people having a chauffered car idling for them outside the building they're in (and Ubers doing the same for people who order it too early) is no doubt a greater source of carbon emissions than all of Broadway. And some of those private-car people are Broadway producers/landlords/investors, and some might also be Private Plane People.

While I'm sure there are improvements that can be made to Broadway's carbon footprint, it's likely a fraction of what the film & TV industries emit.

Just to focus on costumes because it's what you brought up . . .

• The TDF Costume Collection is a great example of resources being utilized by multiple shows.
• Consistency is the name of the game. "Upcycling" and thrifting are done, but if you have a shirt for the principal, you also need a backup shirt, and you need to be able to replicate it quickly and in the most cost-effective way possible (because of ripping/spilling, or future productions). So that means either buying from a brand manufacturer or custom-designing it.
• Any custom or delicate items have to be drycleaned multiple times per week, and drycleaning contributes to CO2 emissions.
• Delicate materials need climate-controlled spaces too, which means 24/7 AC.
• On the road, a vast physical production with lots of costumes means more big trucks going from city to city.

The Sondheim Theatre is a "LEED GOLD" space: https://www.usgbc.org/articles/broadway-leed-makes-sondheim-theatre-healthier-and-more-beautiful-video

Updated On: 7/24/24 at 10:45 AM

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 7/24/24 at 12:54pm

https://scenerybags.com/ is also a great company that recycles materials from Broadway shows and turns them into different products. Jewelry, bags, etc. 

[CJRochester]

Posted: 7/24/24 at 5:03pm

Most of the lighting for the shows is now LED. That helps a lot with reducing electricity consumption and cooling costs of the theatres.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 7/24/24 at 5:17pm

Do we know how much upcycling of scenery and costumes is going on?  Why don’t they build a cleaner place in midtown.  Wouldn't that be easier for everybody?  And much less gas. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/24/24 at 5:50pm

Broadway Flash said: "Do we know how much upcycling of sceneryand costumes is going on? Why don’t they build a cleaner place in midtown. Wouldn't that be easier for everybody? And much less gas."

There's no straight answer to this. It's going to vary show to show. Cost, appearance, and practicality are the sole major factors when building a show. Unless there's government legislation or extreme tax incentives, "upcycling" is never going to happen on a massive scale.

Sometimes entire packages of scenery/props and costumes get saved and rented out or purchased after a show closes, if an agreement between the producer, the union designer, and others can be made. There's your upcycling.

Theatre people are meticulous on Broadway. Designers and directors have extremely specific ideas about how things should look. That's their job.

Regional theatres do a lot of repurposing for budgetary reasons (repainting lumber, saving hardware and using it until the screws are stripped, reusing costume assets that they own, having a Props Storage). They can do that because they own these things and have a place to store them. A Broadway show is a startup and a musical is being built to last many years.

I don't know what you mean by "build a cleaner place" or who "they," is but drycleaning occurs primarily 10 miles away in the Bronx via Winzer Cleaners, which offers the best rates & level of expertise. Anything occurring in walking distance from the theatres is going to skyrocket because of rent costs. And large/heavy things would still probably have to be trucked.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/25/24 at 10:17am

In the big scheme of things, Broadway costumes are absolutely nothing compared to the excesses and waste of fast fashion.  Broadway costumes are meticulously cared for and when custom-built are durable and made to last as long as possible and yes, often make their way into rental houses and stocks of regional theaters to be reused. It’s common to see costume pieces from decades ago still in use at regional theaters.  The H&M in Times Square is  worse for the environment than every Broadway production put together. 

Updated On: 7/25/24 at 10:17 AM

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 7/25/24 at 10:21am

Don't rag on the Broadway Green Alliance. They are a vital environmental initiative working within the Broadway community to inspire, educate, and implement eco-friendly practices. Since its inception in 2008, the BGA has been dedicated to fostering sustainable practices in all areas of theater production, from reducing waste and conserving energy to promoting green design and transportation. They have successfully launched numerous projects, such as recycling programs for sets and costumes, energy-efficient lighting installations, and initiatives to reduce carbon footprints across productions. To further their mission, the BGA welcomes volunteers to contribute their time and skills, offering opportunities to get involved in everything from hands-on recycling efforts to advocacy and educational outreach. Volunteering with the BGA is a meaningful way to support environmental sustainability while becoming an integral part of the vibrant Broadway community. 

For sure check out their website if you are interested in the intersectional work of theater and environmentalism.

https://www.broadwaygreen.com/ 

Updated On: 7/25/24 at 10:21 AM

[raddersons]

Posted: 7/25/24 at 11:21am

I don’t think any industry should be immune to criticism for their contribution to the climate crisis, including theater. Every industry can point to someone else and say “But they’re worse about this!”. Pointing fingers doesn’t stop us from sinking.

I do agree that the costuming angle isn’t quite it though. Lighting systems I’d imagine are mostly LED now which is an enormous decrease in electricity. Maybe there can be grants that can help subsidize that cost for smaller theaters throughout the country. Upgrading the rigging systems with high efficiency motors could also be a good move, but this has probably also been done. Updating the heating / cooling systems of theaters is probably the biggest thing they can do, and that falls on the landlords.

You know what they need to get rid of? Confetti cannons in the audience at the end of shows. Not only is it plastic or paper that just goes directly into the trash, but my god I feel so awful for the staff who have to clean it up every night.

The bar also makes a LOT of plastic waste from the cups every night — I wish there was a way to use metal or glass which is much more recyclable. I know the Hudson uses glasses and washes them. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/25/24 at 11:45am

LED lights are usually the budget-friendly choice, but sometimes the more oldschool LDs prefer to use gels and other types of lighting instruments because it offers a softer look. So it's a creative consideration, a budgetary consideration, and an environmental consideration.