on-set recycling

[benning]

This is a topic that has been on my mind for as long as I've worked in the business. I'm curious to hear what other people's thoughts are about on-set recycling. I'm talking about plastic bottles/pop cans/paper/etc receptacles on set. And what about all the construction debris from sets?

In Toronto, both in the commercial world and the long-format world, it seems recyling is not widely supported. And even when it is, I've noticed that the ol' garbage bin will be half full of cans/H20 bottles even when it is 10 feet from the nearest recycling bin which is nearly empty.

Perhaps it is the small hole in the lid of the recycling bin that deters people. After all, it is harder to drop a can through that custom-fit hole than it is in the nice, unobstructed, ultra-large diameter Rubbermaid garbage bin. Should we demand larger holes cut in the recycling lids? Or perhaps a multi-aperture lid with funnel-mouth input orifices?

Or is recycling a scam anyway? Does it all just get tossed in the landfill regardless? Should we care?

jb                    

[Brent]

There is one production manager, who I have great respect for, that always has blue recycling on his shoots. They are prominently placed and have big signs. People seem quite able and willing to use them.

I believe that Absolute locations rents on-set recycling bins. Hopefully we will see more of them.                    

[smrtgrip]

Hey JB!  Nice to finally see you on here!  I have also been very frustrated with the lack of recycling on most shoots, and the difficulty of complaining about it.  If you speak up about it often to try and rally a little support from others (which is what it will take to get something done) you can start to get a rep as a complainer.  Techs already have a bad rep for whinging as it is.  Brent, pass on cudos to that PM there's few out there like him.                    

[Anonymous]

We are all guilty of not recycling on set....production, crew, agency and clients. To lay blame on the P.M. seems a little too convenient. Most studios have blue bins, yet somehow there always seems to be more cans/bottles in the garbage bins than in the rec. boxes. To reiterate J.B.'s point, many people are just too damn lazy to use them, or they simply don't care.
Perhaps we should ask the craft companies to start bringing 2 litre bottles of pop in lieu of cans.... bring your own glass, we'll provide the ice. Starcraft once made an attempt at a similar process. Each person on set started the day with one bottle of water. There was a refill station at the craft truck. This led to more complaints than I care to mention. The crew said they didn't have time to 'refill' due to the run and gun nature of the business, or they 'forgot' and threw their bottle away. The agency and clients seemed a little put off as well. Maybe we should try this again, and if anyone complains, I'll give them the addy for your website.

If Absolute does have blue bins, I'll be more than happy to rent them. However, I can't afford to post a 'guard' beside the bin to make sure people use it!

There is a grip whom I have great respect for. She sets up a recycling station on her shoots, and takes the refuse with her at the end of the day. Perhaps we should ALL follow her lead.

As a P.M. I am more than happy to address this situation. If a crew member were to mention this to me, I would in no way consider it whining. Hell, I agree with them. I am, however, tired of hearing complaints regarding parking, lunch, rates, the 4 min. walk to the lunch room etc etc. Those who consistently complain about these issues are the ones who should fear being labelled. Why is the P.M to blame if lunch is bad? Complain to the caterer, not me!

Well, thats my rant for the day. Go easy!                    

[Anonymous]

It's interesting you should mention that there is a grip who takes it upon themself to set up on-set recycling. Us crew members all whine that "production" should do something about recyling when really it is something that any and all of us could and should do. "Production" isn't the magical problem solver we might think it is. We should all make an effort.

Simple things like bringing a reusable coffee mug can help.                    

[Marker]

I typically assist the craft people by making sure there is a box or two available to seperate cans and bottles (plastic 1-2). Still I find that I must also take the trouble to toss the box or bag(s) into my vehicle at days end to take it to the recycling facility.

I come from a backround in hiking, canoe - outdoor recreation where we always left a place cleaner than when we arrived. This kind of mindset can be useful on locations where you want to shoot again!!!

So, I just have it in my routine to recycle - and re use -

Crafts are (in my experience)  usually very young and/or too harried to bother about such things. Production Management is not concerned with it generally either... I agree that if an example is set others may follow - but it is an educational as well as a lifestyle issue.

There are issues of contruction material too.

On a larger shoot or feature -  I can't even deal with it. No less of a problem.

I think we need to find ways not only to recycle - but to reuse stuff esp. construction materials. ..props, settings.

I usually have my own beverage container - Chai tea thank you.. and those great crafties know that they must fill me with caffine right after lunch  to avoid the lunch coma but I digress....

One can only do what one can to assure a clean set, and a less polluted world.                    

[hodah]

Years ago I worked on a film called NO TELLING. It was the first and only "low impact" film set i've worked on. All craft service was organic... we were given mugs to use instead of cups...etc. did it work? Not really... but we tried.
Our business is a terrible one to work in if you have any concern for conservation. The only respite we have is that the industry employs so many people.
It'd be nice if more production companies joined with organizations like City Harvest, and maybe an organization that can use lumber scraps, some in perfect shape.
Anyway, here's to at least trying it at home..
H.