Event in Review: Oscars “Go Green”
All together now, “How green were they?”
Despite this year’s shortened Hollywood award season and last minute preparations, organizers managed to up the green cred for entertainment’s premier event, the Oscars®.
During the telecast, host Jon Stewart mentioned that the Oscars® had gone green, but didn’t go into any details…I was left wondering, “How green?” A quick trip to the Oscars website revealed a lot of detail. Some initiatives were simple prerequisites for any greening program, such as:
- Recycling collection for glass, paper, metal and plastics
- Use of low-VOC paints in the green room
- Reuse of anything and everything possible after the show, including plants, furniture, and set pieces
- Purchase of paper products containing post-consumer content
Other elements were a bit more interesting:
- Energy: The Academy scores points for using energy from 100% renewable wind power for the arrivals, pre-show, telecast, and Governor’s Ball. As an aside, at the Independent Spirit Awards the day before, host Rainn Wilson brought the funny by taking us “behind the curtain” to see the renewable energy powering that broadcast: a bicycle manned by a ferociously pedaling Ed Begley, Jr.
- Composting: For the first time, the Academy focused on composting food, plant and biodegradable/compostable service ware by placing labeled bins near catering stations.
- Set Deconstruction: Non-reusable set pieces and other construction elements were sent to a construction and demolition facility that recovers 75-84% of materials sent there for recycling.
As I read through all of the green initiatives that went in to making Oscar® night, it became clear just how big the Oscars® are – it’s not just one event, but a series of events that are supported by many industries. From energy and transportation to catering and the press, the current environmental impact is enormous. These steps forward are important ones, but they must be just the beginning.
