Materials

  • Reusing materials such as fabrics or props instead of buying new ones protects the environment. For example, materials that are screwed, rather than glued, together can be used again and again.

  • Buying second-hand material and material that carries an environmental label reduces the environmental footprint of a production.

  • When purchasing new materials, considering options for disposal, rental, or passing on increases their reusability and extends their life cycle.

  • The use of environmentally friendly, reusable and durable materials promotes more sustainable production. As a result, disposable products are no longer necessary.

  • If hazardous substances such as paints, varnishes, solvents and cleaning agents have to be used for stage sets or to clean rooms, more environmentally friendly alternatives can be considered.

  • New purchases can be channelled through public supply chains or shops. This strengthens local economies and produces fewer emissions than online purchases.

  • Repairing materials and costumes – instead of disposing of and replacing them – conserves resources and produces less waste.

  • Hazardous materials can be disposed of sustainably at waste disposal centres instead of with residual waste.

  • Lending or passing on materials to colleagues for reuse contributes to a climate-conscious approach. Shared storage areas also create networking opportunities.

  • A digital inventory list provides an overview of materials that can be lent or passed on. It closes the material cycle and helps when communicating with guests on the available materials.

Good to know

If necessary, materials must meet the requirements of fire protection regulations, for example B1. This should be clarified with those responsible for the venue or festival.

Further reading

Cradle to Cradle – Wiege zur Wiege e.V.: UMDENKEN – DIE C2C DENKSCHULE

HMV Hanseatische Materialverwaltung: Initiative für Materialkreisläufe (D / CH / AU)

Verbund offener Werkstätten: Was sind offene Werkstätten?

reparaturinitiativen.de: Reparaturinitiativen

Berufsgenossenschaft der Baugenossenschaft: Gefahrstoffsuche

Theater und Nachhaltigkeit: Fundus und Materiallager

Stiftung “Ecken wecken” depot.social: depot in Deiner Stadt/Region

SZENOGRAFIE-BUND e.V.: Arbeitsgruppe Ökologische Nachhaltigkeit – Der Leitfaden „Grüne Bühne“

Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft (DTHG): Nachhaltige Produktionen („Theatre Green Book“)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ): Siegelklarheit – Gezielt informieren. Bewusst einkaufen. Nachhaltig handeln.

Gerriets: Nachhaltigkeitsprojekt – Recycling von Tanzböden und Projektionsfolien

StuFF: Neue Materialzyklen für Theater und Szenografie

Theater und Nachhaltigkeit: Kostüm

Nachhaltige Kleidung: Übersicht nachhaltiger Materialien

dejure.org Rechtsinformationssysteme: Versammlungsstättenverordnung (Abschnitt 2 – Brandverhütung)

Stiftung “Ecken wecken” depot.social: Ressourcen teilen und verleihen in Leipzig

Good practice examples

ressourcerie automatique is a digital material exchange for the independent theatre scene: costumes, props and stage sets are shared here instead of being produced from scratch. It also offers workshops, consultancy and networking meetings to promote sustainable production and the conscious use of resources in cultural practice.

ressourcerie automatique: atelier automatique

Zero – Climate-neutral art and culture projects is a funding programme of Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation) that supports cultural institutions in making their production climate-neutral. By adopting measures in areas such as energy, mobility and material cycles, they test concrete solutions and pass on their experiences nationwide.

Kulturstiftung des Bundes: Projects supported by the Zero Fund