Unit Green
 

Green Production

The sustainable production of films should establish an important basis for maintaining a future-oriented environment and quality of life, to promote social solidarity within society and economical growth in an integrated manner.

In year 2000 we founded the non profit organisation “Feedback” in Cape Town – this was our very first thinking about acting sustainable. Feedback is a section 21 organisation which collects food from film crews, foto teams, additional from supermarkets, hotels restaurants and others to support with their donation the poorest of the poorest.

Now 11 years later Feedback grew to the biggest food distribution organisation in South Africa. Last year they merged with the bigger worldwide organisation named Foodbank and distributes more than 14 million portions of food (each 300 gramm) a year.

Within these 11 years our aim was to archieve more than collecting and delivering food in South Africa.

Our Objectives

In the next step we implemented in 2010 “unit green” as part of Neue Sentimental Film Frankfurt, regarding green media productions.

Not only for commercials but also in image films. One of our first clients was the Triodos Bank – a bank supporting exclusively sustainable projects. They were looking for a partner at the same eye level.

The other production was for “Waschbär” –  an eco-friendly mail order business with exclusively organic products (environmental compatibility, harmless to health) in fashion, cosmetic, living, and more.

What We Do in Office

  • We changed the conventionel suppliers for electricity and gas – we switched to clean power and gas providers
  • We all use plug bars with power switch / we power off the computers instead off setting them into the stand-by mood
  • We use eco-friendly office supplies
  • We order reusable glass bottles
  • We buy locally sourced / seasonal food
  • We use eco-friendly detergents
  • We arrange business trips with public transport
  • We dont have air-conditioning in production offices
  • We still are sponsor of Feedback / Foodbank

What We Do in Production

  • We fly less and use more public transport
  • We recycle light/gels
  • We deliver food to homeless shelters (if allowed)

What We Do without Extra Costs

  • We arrange waste separation on set
  • We reduce paper consumption
  • We raise awareness of environmental issues
  • We do more renting than buying
    (art direction / styling)
  • We rent cars with less fuel consumption

What Can Be Done with Extra Costs

  • Renting hybrid cars
  • Renting reusable recycable cutlery, plates and cups
  • Buying organic food / locally sourced ingredients
  • Buying eco-friendly/ sustainable construction material, paints etc.
  • Renting energy efficient equipment (e.g. LED lighting)
  • Waiving air travel
  • Compensating with CO2 certificates

And Certainly More Aspects to Cover...

We guess we are still on the road and there will be certainly much more to do. But finally it is good to start thinking about sustainability.