ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
In Eric Longa we are committed to environmental sustainability in all areas of our work. We acknowledge that being aware of our carbon footprint and reducing this is our goal, rather than eradicating it completely.
We are increasing our ethical and ecological awareness by:
Following the Theatre Green Book structure as a roadmap to understand before where we can take action:: https://theatregreenbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TGB_v2.pdf
Paying for expertise to help us
Reducing spending, and reusing whenever possible
Maintaining openness and curiosity as to how we can do better
Respecting the planet as a natural world, and respecting audiences so we don’t leave anything behind
Having the courage to set ambition targets as well as realistic targets
Encouraging our artists, participants and audiences to be environmentally more aware
Eric Longa does not have its own building or venue. We work from home and hire rehearsal and meeting space when needed. This means that our control over building-related environmental impacts is limited, but we will research the meeting points that have a public sustainability rider to make a more conscious decision of the spaces we use.
Our key environmental commitments are:
1. To reduce waste and unsustainable consumption:
Use ethical procurement guidelines when sourcing all materials relating to all areas of production. Including but not exclusive to: costume, set, stationary and marketing materials.
Reduce unnecessary purchases, reuse and recycle as much as possible.
Aiming for 50% of the tools and materials we use for our workshops to have had previous life.
Reducing number of online orders (ex: Amazon) to supporting small businesses and independent artists and run away from consumerism.
Aiming for 50% of our show materials (set, props, costume materials, and equipment) to have had a previous life.
Discuss green design possibilities (ex: reused/recyclable costume materials, reduced shipping distances, packaging reduction, energy efficient technical equipment) with our design collaborators.
Providing locally and ethically sourced food, snacks and drink to our staff and artists when we are in charge of feeding the team.
Making set and props that are modular to make travel easier for future tours or performances.
Creating paperless programs.
Provide venues with all necessary information about the show, including lighting, sound, set, prop and wardrobe needs – to limit unnecessary purchasing, over ordering and wastage.
Encourage our staff and artists to avoid single-use items (ex: bring their own reusable water bottles and keep-cups).
Create a set of clear green expectations for artists, collaborators and facilitators at the beginning of each project.
2. To reduce energy use:
Travelling to venues using public or active transport, where possible, and encouraging our artists, and facilitators to consider the environment when travelling.
Actively promoting your venues’ green transport options to our audiences.
To choose lowest shipping or freighting distances wherever possible.
To consider the impact of our communication choices, such as by making phone calls rather than video calls and not sending unnecessary emails.
Only use on-stage and back-stage lighting when needed (whilst still following health and safety guidelines).
3. Our future goals to continue working on our environmental awareness:
For Eric Longa director and staff to provide training to understand better our environmental impact and be able to implement a plan of action for the future.
Start keeping a comprehensive carbon footprint report of all projects including tour and artists and collaborators travel, energy usage, a materials inventory of all procurement.
For Patricia Langa to have a better understanding of website environmental impact as well as banking.
Date of last policy review: 20th of January 2025
Date of next review: December 2025
Signed: Patricia Langa
Position: Director of Eric Longa