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By Ivan Chen  A lot of waste is generated behind the scenes of film and TV productions, but it is often overlooked by fans. (Credit: OsloMetX/Pixabay) Many people enjoy watching films and TV shows. Whether it be for entertainment or just a way to wind down and relax, they are a valued part of daily life. However, while viewers often only see the finished product, a significant amount of resources is required during the production phase, and a substantial amount of waste can be generated. A 2020 report from albert, a U.K.-based environmental organization, estimates that an average tentpole film production, which has a large budget and is expected to be highly profitable upon release, generates waste that’s equivalent to the weight of 313.5 blue whales, or roughly 313,500 tonnes, as an average blue whale weighs around 100 tonnes. Despite this huge amount of waste, some actions can be taken to cut down on how much of it is generated. Types of waste on set Some of the most common types of waste produced at productions include single-use food and drink containers, food and organic waste, construction materials and set dressing, props and costumes. Craft and catering services are common on sets. Single-use containers and prepackaged foods tend to be the preferred method of serving food. However, these items are often improperly disposed of. Single-use containers can often be littered across production sites. If they are disposed of in recycling bins but still contain food or drinks, they can contaminate the entire bin, and it ends up going to the landfill. When uneaten food is improperly disposed of and ends up in landfills rather than being composted, methane can be released when it decomposes. Construction materials, like lumber, are another common form of waste. Lumber is often used to build sets of varying sizes and designs. These sets can sometimes be deconstructed into their standard components and stored for future use. Materials can also sometimes be shared or sold to other productions. But it’s common for sets to be destroyed and disposed of rather than disassembled and reused. These materials could be sent to landfills or recycling centres. However, when materials like lumber are altered, like with paint or glue — which is common on film sets — they cannot be recycled. Since lumber is an organic material, it produces methane as it decomposes in landfills. Other types of waste from film productions include set dressing, props and costumes. Examples of set dressing include furniture, decorations and artwork. Props include flowers, notebooks and other personal items. Costumes could involve fabrics, fast fashion and vintage clothes. All of these items could be acquired new, secondhand or rented. These items have a bit more potential for reuse. After filming, they may be retained for future use or sold to other productions. Non-essential set materials might also be given away to crew and cast members, or donated to charities, thrift stores or local theatre groups. Otherwise, materials are thrown away and sent to a landfill. Barriers to waste reduction There are a few reasons why waste reduction may currently be difficult in the industry. Productions might have a limited budget that can’t pay for waste diversion services; some productions may only pay for waste to go to landfills, as it’s cheaper and quicker. A lack of these services, as well as infrastructure, like disposal bins, signage, collection dumpsters or storage facilities for material reuse, further complicates waste reduction. Crew behaviour and attitudes also play a major role. A lack of knowledge and a general disregard for how to properly sort waste for diversion can undermine efforts. Since many productions are unique and have different requirements, including custom designs, items cannot always be repurposed. Materials are also sometimes damaged, resulting in waste. Even when productions try to be more sustainable, there can be additional costs. Renting materials may not always be cost-effective in the long run. Sourcing secondhand materials can also be time- and labour-intensive. Certified sustainable products also tend to be more expensive. What can be done? Productions can aim to budget for waste diversion services. Guidance and support from studios and leaders on how to address waste is also crucial to ensure sustainable practices are upheld and ingrained in crew and cast responsibilities. Expansive, well-managed storage spaces are also needed for material reuse and waste diversion. A major barrier to reusing production materials is the time and effort required to communicate availability, locate stored items and coordinate logistics to move materials. Industry members should improve communication and collaboration to establish and run a network of well-managed storage spaces. Increased collaboration in sustainability is happening in Canada’s film and TV industry. In 2024, a coalition called Green Frame was formed. Led by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the group includes numerous Canadian content organizations and funders working to reduce the environmental impact of film and television production. To achieve this, steps include:
Certain waste reduction approaches, like those championed by the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association Waste Reduction Group, could also help productions tackle waste. For instance, an event like FreeMarket could let productions donate and take items like props, decorations and wardrobe pieces for free instead of buying new ones. Productions could also implement TerraCycle cigarette collection boxes on set to ensure responsible cigarette butt disposal, while a repair café–style initiative could also help fix props, costumes or set pieces instead of discarding them, extending their lifespan and reducing waste. One small business trying to minimize film industry waste is Ready Set Recycle. Based in Toronto, they sell many props, costumes and set materials at major discounts, giving them a second life. Ready Set Recycle is located at 254 Bartley Drive. Summary Reducing waste in the film and TV industry comes with many challenges, from tight budgets to limited infrastructure and time constraints. But progress is possible through collaboration and creative solutions. Rethinking how materials are sourced, used and maintained will help the industry make meaningful steps toward a more circular, low-waste future. Initiatives like Green Frame, along with approaches like reuse markets, cigarette recycling programs and repair café–style services, show how sustainability can be integrated throughout production. Edited by Jess Blackwell
By Ivan Chen  Documentaries are a great way to learn about the importance of protecting the planet. (Credit: KIMDAEJEUNG/Pixabay) As conversations about climate change, conservation and sustainability continue to grow, documentaries have gained popularity as a medium for highlighting what’s happening to our planet. Whether it’s about wildlife loss or some of the driving forces of the climate crisis, documentaries can offer insight and inspiration for action. Here are some sustainability- and environmental-based documentaries currently available in Canada. 1. Our Planet Our Planet is a documentary series that showcases the world’s wildlife and habitats, and raises awareness about the threats they face. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Our Planet was made in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and Silverback Films. Episodes take viewers on a journey through Earth’s various biomes, from jungles to seas and deserts. They highlight how climate change and human activities, such as overfishing and plastic pollution, are impacting some of these places and the wildlife that inhabits them. The first season of Our Planet is currently available on Netflix and for free on YouTube, while the second season is exclusively available on Netflix. 2. Chasing Coral Chasing Coral explores the rapid disappearance of coral reefs around the world. The film follows a team of divers, photographers and scientists as they document coral bleaching, revealing how rapidly warming oceans — caused by their absorption of extra heat from greenhouse gases — are affecting these vibrant and important ecosystems. Climate change is altering the world’s oceans, which, despite teeming with life, can often feel invisible to people. Available on Netflix, Chasing Coral is a wake-up call that reveals a hidden crisis occurring underwater and inspires viewers to care for the oceans. 3. The Story of Stuff The Story of Stuff provides a critical analysis of the environmental and social costs of modern consumerism. Through an engaging narrative and animated graphics, the documentary exposes some of the driving forces behind consumerism and follows the lifecycle of goods, from resource extraction and manufacturing to distribution, consumption and disposal. It illustrates how each stage impacts people and the planet. Available on YouTube, The Story of Stuff provides a deeper understanding of how overconsumption is tied to larger environmental issues and encourages viewers to rethink their habits and consider more sustainable alternatives. 4. Dominion Through the use of hidden-camera footage and drones, Dominion provides a troubling glimpse inside animal agriculture facilities in Australia. While the content may be difficult to watch, the documentary has a clear goal: to expose the exploitation and abuse of animals. Dominion reveals the concerning practices across multiple animal agriculture sectors, including cows, pigs, chickens, ducks and fish. The film also highlights how livestock production raises concerns about deforestation, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution. Dominion may not be an easy watch, but it delivers a thorough and uncompromising assessment of the environmental and ethical consequences of animal farming and challenges audiences to rethink commonly consumed foods and products. The documentary can be watched on YouTube. 5. Will Renewables Stop the Climate Crisis? & Global Renewables: Pioneering the Energy Transition This two-part documentary, available on German news outlet Deutsche Welle’s YouTube channel, provides a comprehensive overview of renewable energy. “Will Renewables Stop the Climate Crisis?” explores the urgent need for green energy and whether renewables alone can halt the climate crisis. “Global renewables: Pioneering the energy transition” picks up the story with real-world examples of how communities in Germany and the United States have successfully adopted renewable energy, highlighting the technical details and social collaboration needed to make the transition feasible. The documentary balances urgency with optimism, with one framing the global problem and the other showing actionable solutions. Part one is available here, and part two here. Summary These documentaries showcase the range of challenges and solutions shaping the planet and society, from climate change and food systems to wildlife and renewable energy. They inform, inspire and show that meaningful action is possible for everyone. Edited by Jess Blackwell
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