Costume Design Blog

Green Costume Design

I’ve been thinking about how to incorporate more green (sustainable) practices into my design work. On the one hand, frugality is a quality that’s highly desirable in a designer. On the other hand, I’ve recently realized just how many single-sided or photocopied scripts I throw into the recycling bin every year. This met up with a recent article I read on a general trend towards environmentally friendly practices in the stage and film industry. Needless to say, I’m feeling inspired.

Here are some things that I already do. I encourage you to consider whether these might not work in your design flow as well.

I bring home recyclables if there isn’t a bin provided.

I use reusable travel mugs and water containers. When I need something to drink when I’m on set, I try to use my own mug, or at least do my best to use the same disposable cup more than once. It’s hard to do either of these when I’m out shopping, so I don’t have a perfect system for this one … yet. If I buy a can of soda or bottle of water, I take it home at the end of the day and add it to my recycling pile.

I encourage email over printouts.

When the production reports are sent out to all of the appropriate people, there shouldn’t be a need for a printed report. I know this flies in the face of convention where there is a centrally located bible that everyone has access to, but the amount of useless information that is reprinted for all parties tends to be excessive. I find it just as easy to get an email and enter the pertinent information on my own “to do” lists as needed. (Keep in mind, that with all of the useful gadgets in today’s world, you don’t necessarily need paper to-do lists anymore either!)

I turn off equipment when it isn’t in use.

The exception to this is the iron – it takes too long for the iron to warm up that it messes with the workflow. But sewing machines, sergers, and extra lights don’t need to stay on all day.

I shop at a LOT of thrift stores.

This is often for financial reasons, but it helps the planet and the local economy!

I try and use as little polyester and plastic in my design as I can get away with and maintain my design’s integrity.

Not only do the natural fibers look better under stage lights, they are renewable. Polyester? No so much.

I no longer print out all of my research unless I am required to.

Many times, directors can view images I have collected online and respond via email or telephone. Occasionally, we need displays for presentations, but as the workforce gets younger and more familiar with the technology, I think we will have more virtual meetings, and more acceptance of combination electronic and tactile presentations.

Other things that I’ve thought of working towards…

I receive a printed or photo copied script for every production I work on.

I read it several times throughout the process, but I don’t bother to keep them after the show is up because it’s just a photocopy, not a bound script. And while I recycle them, I’m wondering if I should instead just ask for an emailed copy, or get a copy from the library if necessary. This won’t work as well for film and television where there are constant re-writes, but this could be a policy for theatre work. Of course the down side to this is that reading on the computer screen isn’t as easy on the eyes as paper, but thankfully that technology is getting better.

I would like to remember to take re-useable shopping bags when I go out.

I do this for my food shopping, but not show shopping. That should be an easy fix.

I would like to find other alternatives to harmful chemicals for things like dyeing, distressing, and costume crafts.

This will require some research.

I would like to find a way to use all of the scrap bits of fabric.

Whenever I am building part of a show it seems as though we empty a garbage bag of random scrap bits every day. The scraps are too small to keep for costumes and there is too much to try keeping it in stock for future craft or props projects. Perhaps there are local schools that could use the material for arts and crafts projects? I don’t know. I just feel that there should be a viable solution for this problem.

What ways do you live into the green initiative? Have you even considered it for our industry? What can you think of that I’ve neglected to put here? The best way to grow this is by throwing out ideas and seeing which ones stick and improve our ability to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

I look forward to your ideas.

4 Comments to Green Costume Design

Leave a comment