Why Your Film Should Go Green

Sustainability efforts have gained significant momentum across nearly every industry in recent years. This shift is driven by a combination of cultural changes and the universal desire for businesses to reduce costs. The misconception that implementing sustainable practices is more expensive has been repeatedly debunked by countless companies. In this post, you'll discover how and why your project should embrace green practices. By reducing waste and lowering energy consumption on set, you can unlock a wealth of opportunities that benefit your film— ranging from budgetary savings to enhancing your project’s public image.

Cost-Saving Benefits of Going Green

It's essential to remember that filmmaking is a business at every level. Each film represents a unique project, and a vital lesson for every filmmaker is to treat it as such. Whether you're working with a budget of $1,000 or $10 million, there’s never enough funding. The desire for better locations, higher-quality equipment, and more resources is always present. This is why seizing every cost-saving opportunity is crucial, enabling you to allocate your finances effectively.

How to Save on Set

Tried and True: Reusable Water Bottles

The use of reusable water bottles is a staple on film sets, from student productions to major blockbusters. It’s no surprise, given that the average cost of single-use plastic bottles for a 60-day shoot can reach $11,175 ($186.25 per day). Encouraging your crew and cast to bring their own reusable bottles is a simple yet impactful step. But how else can your film go green?

Recycling and Reselling

Investing in recycled equipment and giving your supplies a second life after production not only benefits the environment but also your budget. Reducing waste decreases hauling expenses and opens up opportunities to resell or donate items. For instance, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 saved 5% on its total waste hauling costs, amounting to $4,732, through its recycling and composting efforts.

• Construction Debris: This is one of the most significant areas for savings and profit. Many materials used in set construction, such as glass, concrete, clean wood, metal, and scenic paint, can be recycled or resold. 

  • On Paramount Pictures’ Noah (2014), 100% of the steel was recycled by Allocco Metal Recycling, recouping approximately 450,000 pounds and netting the production around $45,000.

• Props, Set Dressing, and Costumes: Every film ends with a mountain of leftover items. Instead of throwing everything away—no matter how tempting that might be after a long shoot—consider donating these items. You might even qualify for tax deductions! 

  • The Amazing Spider-Man 2 donated materials to Film Biz Recycling and received an additional $120,000 in tax deductions.

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Go Paperless

In almost every classroom in the U.S., the shift to paperless operations has become the norm. Going paperless is the future in every industry. Reducing or eliminating paper also decreases the need for ink, office supplies, staples, binders, etc. In production of Season 2 of Boardwalk Empire, using the iPad vs. Paper cost was compared. In this case, the iPads were pre-existing. Eventually, studios will most likely secure and rent iPads to individual productions as they already do with many other electronics. Boardwalk Empire usage of iPad vs. Paper cost breakdown:

• Paper (per crew member)

  • Print drafts: $118.49

  • Production drafts and revisions: $74.33

  • TOTAL: $192.82

• iPad (per crew member)

  • PDF Annotation App (GoodReader): $4.99

  • iPad Stylus: $24.99

  • TOTAL: $29.98

Once again, think of the waste you save by going paperless— no more waste bins full of hundreds of papers.

Renewable Energy Sources

As state and federal laws continue to tighten, adopting alternative energy sources is not only a financially savvy move but also a proactive strategy. Additionally, this transition can open up significant tax deduction opportunities.

• Batteries: The sound department uses an average of eight to twelve 9-volt batteries per day. Implementing rechargeable battery systems instead of continuously purchasing new batteries saves you money and reduces waste by up to 60 batteries per week. 

  • The Amazing Spider-Man 2 saved the use of 1,320 batteries and $1,450.

• Alternative Fuel Options: Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable resource that contains zero petroleum but can be blended with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to pass the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. In its full form, biodiesel is less expensive than petroleum diesel; the higher the blend, the lower the cost. New York State offers a lower sales tax on biodiesel, averaging $0.08 per gallon. 

  • Away We Go (2009) used a blend of biodiesel that, at the time and in that part of the country, cost 12.7% less than standard diesel fuel. Additionally, it released 7% less carbon per unit than regular diesel fuel.

Grants, Funding, and Tax Deductions

Investing in reusable products and reselling used production materials not only proves more cost-effective but also opens doors to potential funding for your sustainability initiatives from external sources. The following is a list of grants, funding, and tax deduction opportunities for film productions that focus on sustainability throughout their pre-production, production, and post-production phases, and/or have environmentalism or social change as a main theme.

Tax Deductions & Government Funding

To qualify for any tax deductions or government funding, your film must demonstrate compliance with each program's conditions. Here are a few examples that your film should take advantage of:

• Donating props, set dressing, and costumes to qualifying nonprofits (such as Goodwill).

• Federal Biodiesel Income Tax Credit: The federal government offers a taxable income credit of up to $1.00 per gallon for biodiesel fuels and mixtures of diesel fuel and biodiesel to individuals as well as businesses for their operations.

• New York: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Research and Development Funding. Provides funding for projects that enhance mobility, improve efficiency, reduce congestion, and diversify transportation methods and fuels through research and development of advanced technologies.

Grant Opportunities for Environmentally-Themed Films

There are also funding and grant opportunities specifically for environmentally-themed films. Here are a couple to check out if you are an environmentally-focused filmmaker:

• The Redford Center: Has supported nearly 50 environmentally-themed projects and awarded more than $1.7 million. These films have received awards, premieres, and distribution from Netflix, Hulu, HBO, PBS, Sundance Film Festival, National Geographic, and more. The grants work in a two-year cycle, and grantees receive access to the Redford Center’s network of film industry professionals and environmental experts.

• Millan/Packan Film Fund: Each year, eight to twelve filmmakers receive funding for films that address environmental issues. The total funding amounts to $200,000, with a maximum of $25,000 per film. Submissions are accepted on an open-call basis, and grantees are announced in January and July.

To wrap things up, it’s worth noting that embracing sustainability in your film production has benefits that go beyond just saving costs. The EMA Green Seal is the most notable recognition available to filmmakers to honor sustainable production for movies, television shows, and commercials. Receiving the seal is an honor that demonstrates your production’s actions not only help the planet but also boost your project’s public image and industry recognition. Audiences will see your commitment to the bigger picture, and fellow industry professionals will admire your ability to secure grants and funding for eco-friendly initiatives. By prioritizing sustainability, you position your film as a thoughtful and responsible project that truly cares about the future.

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