Hygieia – MovieSite’s Sustainability Programme

Around the world, prop and set designers bring productions to life. The words, plot, and ideas are already there, but the whole production must become authentic and credible. There is no point in having a backdrop that doesn’t reflect the production’s style, design, and period, unless every prop, every piece of furniture, and every piece of set design does so and this can be a costly project.

Productions spend billions of pounds to capture snippets of extraordinary, elaborate and detailed designs that look fantastic on our screens but what happens to them once the production is over? How do productions remove, recycle and reuse in the name of sustainability? And, how do they do this whilst keeping their costs low? The MS sustainability programme – Hygieia, will lead the way for production sustainability, it has been created to help answer these questions and provide a means to make production sustainability iconic.

When productions sign up for the MS sustainability programme – Hygieia, they will be asked a few simple questions regarding their production dates, materials used and disposal plans, from here the MS sustainability team will do the rest to ensure all props, sets and scenery is disposed of correctly, recycled, reused or auctioned for charity.

It’s our mission to make an impact and create greener productions in the UK, ensuring props, sets and scenery are disposed of correctly and in a localised manner to help reduce emissions and production carbon footprints. Our unique eco-friendly framework allows creative sustainability to be led in a new iconic way, because there’s more to being iconic than just the production and props.

Industry overview

In 2021, the UK was responsible for 31 million metric tons of waste, this was contributed significantly by TV and film productions.

Production sustainability refers to the practice of ensuring that the production processes and activities are conducted in an environmentally, socially, and economically responsible manner. It involves minimising negative impacts on the environment and conserving resources.

Here are some key aspects and principles that need to be focused on:

Environmental impact – Sustainable productions should aim to minimise their ecological footprint. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions by localising disposals, minimising waste generation by recycling and upcycling and conserving iconic props and sets through reuse.
Resource efficiency – Sustainable productions involve optimising the use of resources such as raw materials, energy, and water. It encourages the adoption of eco-efficient practices, such as using recycled materials, designing products for longevity and recyclability, and implementing efficient production processes that reduce waste and energy consumption.
Supply chain sustainability – Production companies need to consider the sustainability of their entire supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to the distribution of finished products. This includes working with suppliers who adhere to sustainable practices, ensuring fair labour standards, and minimising the environmental impact of transportation and logistics to reduce emissions.
Reducing emissions and carbon footprints – Production companies should where possible should reduce their emissions and carbon footprints, with the use of technology MovieSite allows the freedom to search for locations, crew, facilities and apply for permits all in one place (MovieSite url national database).

The MS sustainability programme, Hygieia, is designed to achieve greater sustainability through collaboration with stakeholders. To help identify areas for improvement and develop innovative and iconic solutions to assist greener productions. Of course, sustainability is an ongoing process that requires a commitment to continuous improvement. It involves setting goals, measuring performance, and implementing strategies to achieve higher levels of sustainability over time. Regular monitoring, reporting, and transparent communication are essential to track progress and hold companies accountable. By adopting the MS sustainability programme – Hygieia, production companies can not only contribute to environmental and social well-being but also improve their reputation, reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, and meet the increasing expectations of regulatory bodies. The iconic part is, all they need to do is answer a few questions.

Apply here