by Brianna Crandall — February 15, 2016—According to national ecolabeling organization Green Seal, the 2015 Oscar nominations demonstrate both creative excellence and leadership in sustainability, providing best practices for sustainable events and projects. Four of the films with nominations also received EMA Green Seal awards for their sustainability practices: The Martian, Steve Jobs, Star Wars, and Cinderella. Their production practices focus on waste management and strategic community involvement, improving the operational impact of the entertainment industry.
The Martian
The EMA Green Seal award-winning film The Martian was nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor (Matt Damon), Sound Editing, Production Design, Visual Effects, Adapted Screenplay, and Production Design. According to Green Seal, renewable energy and waste were two main focuses of the production. The film implemented and communicated a strict no-idling policy for all vehicles on set, fueled onsite diesel generators with a biodiesel blend, and purchased carbon offsets to achieve net-zero. More than 80% of discarded material was diverted from landfill.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, another EMA Green Seal winner, was nominated for Best Actor (Michael Fassbender) and Best Supporting Actress (Kate Winslet). The film’s production engaged the local community to accomplish its sustainability initiatives. Along with providing compost and recycling programs in the offices, on stage and while on location, the production partnered with local organizations such as Food Runners, Habitat for Humanity, Out of the Closet, and Image for Success to donate meals, set pieces and costumes.
Star Wars: Episode 7: The Force Awakens
The sustainability activities of Star Wars: Episode 7: The Force Awakens — nominated for Film Editing, Original Score, Visual Effects, Sound Editing, and Sound Mixing, include waste diversion and conscious energy consumption. The production diverted 75% of its waste from landfills, and donated two 40-yard dumpsters of polystyrene for repurposing and 528 gallons of cooking oil to be converted to biodiesel. The use of electricity from the local power grid over diesel generators saved the production 1,224 hours of generator running time and 102 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Cinderella
Cinderella, nominated for Best Costume Design, achieved a 68% waste diversion rate and partnered with Playtime U.K. to repurpose polystyrene as stuffing materials or children’s toys. The production used printing paper with recycled content and hybrid vehicles, and saved 2,400 single-use water bottles by providing reusable water bottles and large containers for fill up stations.
The EMA Green Seal award was created by the Environmental Media Association (EMA) and Green Seal to promote sustainable production methods and identify those in the industry who have made a significant effort to reduce their productions’ environmental impact. The Green Production requirements cover energy and emissions; water and waste reduction and management; low-impact transportation, catering and craft services; green purchasing, set materials, wardrobe, and makeup; and sustainable office operations, education and messaging.
